Then there were eight! The first half of the Elite 8 games are set for Saturday. First up, a Big Ten battle between No. 9 Iowa and No. 3 Illinois. It’ll be followed up by No. 2 Purdue and No. 1 Arizona. A trip to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana and the Final Four is on the line. Let’s take a look at both of Saturday’s March Madness games and make our Elite 8 picks.
*All times Eastern
No. 9 Iowa vs No. 3 Illinois 6:09 PM
The Iowa Hawkeyes trailed for the first 37 minutes against their rivals the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Thursday night’s matchup in Houston. Fortunately for them, they put things together over the final three minutes of the game and capitalized on Cornhusker mistakes to take over the game and cruise to victory. It’s the Hawkeyes first trip to the Elite 8 since 1987.
Illinois took down No. 2 seeded Houston, in a game Illinois dominated the second half. They scored the first basket of the game, and held a 2-0 lead until almost five minutes into the game as a defensive battle kicked things off in Houston’s Toyota Center. They held a two point advantage at halftime, then jumped up by 10 early in the second half. Houston made some runs at them, but never truly made it close. The Illini return to the Elite 8 for the second time in the last three seasons.
These teams played a Big Ten match back in January, with Illinois taking home the 75-69 win in Iowa City. This one is likely to be a scrappy match. The biggest question for the Hawkeyes is can they keep up? Their defense shut down Florida, but Nebraska’s offense had their way with them for most of the game. Iowa was able to shoot lights out and keep up, but they can continue to do that? Illinois also had a great defensive effort shutting out Houston, but their offense didn’t lack either. The key will be for them to keep Iowa in check. Illinois should be able to control the pace of this game like Nebraska did, but I expect them to be more disciplined and able to hold off a late surge. Iowa keeps it close, and their run has been impressive. But in the end give me the Illini.
Pick: Illinois -6.5
No. 2 Purdue vs No. 1 Arizona 8:49 PM
The Purdue Boilermakers had their hands full with the Texas Longhorns who were trying to go from play-in team to Elite 8 team. Purdue clung to a four point lead at halftime and Texas clawed back late in the game to tie it on a three point play as Oscar Cluff fouled out with just 11 seconds left. Braden Smith drove the lane and put up a potential game winning shot, but it bounced out. Trey Kauffman-Renn put himself in the right position and tipped the ball back into the basket, giving Purdue the lead with just .07 seconds left on the clock and saving the day for the Boilermakers.
The Arizona Wildcats flexed their muscle against John Calipari’s SEC Champion Arkansas Razorbacks. The Wildcats scored 15 seconds into the game, and led wire to wire. At halftime, they held an 11-point advantage, and while Darius Acuff scored 28 for Arkansas, this game was never truly close. Arizona showed why they have earned the right to be a No. 1 seed.
Talk about an elite matchup; these two programs spent a combined 13 weeks atop the AP Poll this season. The head coaching matchup between Tommy Lloyd and Matt Painter is also elite, very fitting for the Elite 8. Arizona’s depth is outstanding. They have a full rotation of impact players, and being on the constant attack will be key for them to win this game. Purdue is experienced, has the size, the efficiency, and the toughness. That’s the edge that I like to put them ever so slightly above the Wildcats in this one. Get the popcorn made, we’re in for a heavyweight title bout between these two teams. Purdue is a live dog, but they at least keep this one close and cover.
Pick: Purdue +6.5
