Yesterday four teams advanced to the Elite 8. Today, four more teams will have the opportunity to do the same. Here's who has the best chance (and why):
South Region
#1 Alabama vs. #5 San Diego State
Friday, March 24, 2023 – 6:30 P.M.
KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
Since losing on the road to Texas A&M back on March 4th, Alabama has been a perfect 5-0. All five of those wins have come by double digits.
Led by freshman sensation and forward Brandon Miller, the Crimson Tide have one of the best offenses, capping at 82.3 PPG, which is good for 7th in the nation. While Miller is their lead scorer, they also have one of the best 6th men in the country in Jahvon Quinerly who won Co-Sixth Man of the Year in the SEC.
Hoping to get in their way is a San Diego State team who is looking to make their first-ever trip to the Elite 8. The Aztecs will have to work on their three point shooting and remain as consistent as possible to beat a team like Alabama at the moment.
Ultimately, I think the Crimson Tide's advantage in boards (3rd in rebounds in NCAA) and firepower, will be too much for the Aztecs to handle.
I like Alabama by nine.
Prediction: Alabama 82 SDSU 73
#6 Creighton vs. #15 Princeton
Friday, March 24, 2023 – 9:00 P.M.
KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
The Bluejays are an incredibly deep team. In fact, each of their starters averages double figures in points. Sophomore guard Ryan Nembhard is a name to watch out for. Nembhard scored 30 going 4 for 6 from three in Creighton's upset against #3 Baylor, a game in which the Bluejays shot lights out from three at 45.8%.
On the other side are the Princeton Tigers who have put brackets out of contention, first beating #2 seed Arizona in the Round of 64, then upsetting #7 Missouri in the Round of 32. But history isn't on their side–no team from the Ivy League has made the Elite 8 since Pennsylvania University pulled off the feat back in 1979. While the Tigers will most likely have to shoot as well as they did against Missouri to win this game, Princeton's defense has held two of the hottest offenses in Arizona and Missouri to an average of just 59 PPG.
I'm taking Princeton by 6.
Prediction: Creighton 67 Princeton 73
Midwest Region
#1 Houston vs. #5 Miami
Friday, March 24, 2023 – 7:15 P.M.
T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
For Houston, senior guard Marcus Sasser leads the way, but the Cougars possess tons of depth as all five starters score in double figures. The Cougars are clicking at the right time and they look to be a hard out. On the defensive side, they possess one of the best, as they gave up just 56.6 PPG leading up to the tournament, and are quite a strong rebounding team.
Related: Cinderella Stories: 5 of the Best Upsets in Men's March Madness History
On the other side will be the Miami Hurricanes, looking to make consecutive Elite 8 appearances. The Hurricanes are led by tons of talent in the duo of junior guard Isaiah Wong and senior guard Jordan Miller. Forward Norchad Omier is also one of the bests, averaging a double-double. Even with Miami's defensive struggles, their offense is just too hot right now with Wong and Miller's recent play against Indiana, where the two combined for 46 points. That tells me all I need to know.
In a back-and-forth battle, I see the Canes coming out with the victory by five points, exploiting an otherwise perfect Houston Defense.
Prediction: Houston 72 Miami 77
#2 Texas vs. #3 Xavier
Friday, March 24, 2023 – 7:15 P.M.
T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Texas enters this one as winners of six straight. Though they are led in points by senior guard Marcus Carr, senior forward Dylan Disu is someone to keep an eye out for–Disu has averaged 22.5 PPG in his last two. The Longhorns can score quite efficiently and are average on the defensive end.
On the other side is a Xavier team that has won six out of their last seven. The Musketeers are among one of the best in college basketball in PPG and APG, led by senior guard Souley Boum. This team is one of the deepest left in the tournament with five players averaging double figure PPG.
Related: One Shining Moment: 8 Historic Memories From Past March Madness Tournaments
This should be one of the more high-scoring affairs of the week and I believe the Longhorns will get the best of the Musketeers in the final two minutes.
I'm taking Texas by 4.
Prediction: Texas 76 Xavier 72
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* Originally published on March 21, 2023, by Nicholas Nathanson
