Elite Eight teams, ranked by national championship chances in 2024 men’s NCAA tournament

The Elite Eight within the 2024 males’s NCAA event is about. Three No. 1 seeds are nonetheless left standing, however just one No. 2 seed stays after two days of carnage within the Candy 16. Bear in mind: this was solely the fifth time since 1985 all of the top-2 seeds reached the regional semifinals.

The surviving eight groups supply one thing for everybody. No. 11 seed NC State and No. 6 seed Clemson are high-major Cinderellas. No. 1 seeds UConn and Purdue have led by precise giants within the center with fully distinctive ability units. Illinois one win away from lastly getting again to the Ultimate 4, and Tennessee has by no means been there in any respect. The offensive firepower on show is plain, with the top-4 groups in effectivity nonetheless standing on this subject.

Let’s rank the eight groups nonetheless alive by their probabilities of successful all of it and chopping down the nets after championship Monday in Phoenix.

8. NC State Wolfpack

Do you consider in groups of future? In that case, NC State is placing collectively a convincing case that it’s precisely that as this system breaks into the Elite Eight for the primary time since 1986. The Wolfpack saved their miracle run going by defeating No. 2 seed Marquette with physicality and just a little assist from the capturing variance gods. The Golden Eagles shot simply 4-of-31 from three-point vary (12.9 p.c) and barely made 60 p.c of their free throws. Because the bricks piled up, NC State continued to have a bodily benefit inside all through D.J. Burns, which led to kick-outs to open shooters for threes all night time lengthy.

DJ Horne appears like he can get a shot off in any scenario, and the Wolfpack wouldn’t be within the Elite Eight with out his 4-of-7 capturing from three towards Marquette. Casey Morsell stays one of many strongest defenders within the subject, whereas Michael O’Connell has stayed scorching after his ACC event buzzer-beater that saved NC State’s season alive. Mohamed Diarra appears like this group’s unsung hero, offering protection and power and an unimaginable knack on the glass. The Wolfpack wanted to win 5 video games in 5 days within the ACC event simply to get their shot in March Insanity. After three extra wins, why would they cease now? — Ricky O’Donnell

7. Clemson Tigers

Clemson has an argument for being essentially the most spectacular group within the tourney by three video games. The No. 6 seeded Tigers took down the Combating Lobos in spherical one with relative ease. Then, the Baylor Bears — with a future lottery choose within the draft surrounded by athletes — had been no match for Clemson. Lastly, the No. 2 seeded Arizona Wildcats had been outmatched and outgunned from the soar.

Brad Brownell has been distinctive late in shut video games. Towards Arizona, the Tigers hit all 4 of their subject aim makes an attempt after the ultimate media timeout and solely missed one free throw.

However it’s the quick begins which have afforded Clemson the posh of not having to sweat out video games within the remaining seconds. Clemson jumped out to a 25-11 lead towards New Mexico, a 22-14 lead versus Baylor, and a 27-14 lead within the Candy 16.

They play to their strengths and so they play their recreation. PJ Corridor is Clemson’s finest participant. Joe Girard is likely one of the finest shooters within the nation. Shoot, Ian Schieffelin was in all probability their second-best participant throughout the season. However Chase Hunter has risen to the event in a tourney that’s meant for nice guard play to emerge.

Clemson can shoot, rebound, isn’t egocentric with the basketball, and so they play group protection. They’ve an opportunity towards anyone, and so they’ve confirmed that by three video games.

6. Duke Blue Devils

Duke began dreaming of the Ultimate 4 on the day Kyle Filipowski determined to bypass the NBA draft to return for his sophomore 12 months. The massive man was the star on Friday night time because the Blue Devils knocked off No. 1 seed Houston to achieve the Elite Eight — the furthest they’ve superior underneath John Scheyer. Filipowski confirmed off his great mixture of inside, passing and capturing to complete with 16 level, 9 rebounds, and two assists within the win. Houston didn’t have an enormous man who was tall sufficient to problem his photographs, and lacking star guard Jamal Shead — who went down with an ankle harm and didn’t return — definitely did assist issues.

Jeremy Roach was performed in a Ultimate 4 with Duke earlier than, again when he was teammates with Paolo Banchero. His regular hand was once more an enormous issue within the win, as he completed with 14 factors. The Blue Devils now face NC State in an ACC event rematch. It shouldn’t be misplaced on anybody that the Wolfpack’s Cinderella run to the Elite Eight all began with upsetting Duke within the ACC quarterfinals. Duke might be a stable favourite getting into the sport, however Filipowski received’t have such an enormous benefit inside towards DJ Burns. We’ve in for an additional present. — ROD

5. Alabama

The Crimson Tide had been a well-liked upset choose within the first two rounds of the event. They took a commanding first-half lead within the first spherical towards the Charleston Cougars because of capturing 56 p.c from three behind a 30-point efficiency from Mark Sears.

Within the subsequent spherical, towards Grand Canyon, Alabama flirted with hazard. They had been down 58-55 with six minutes remaining. The rating was 62-61 two minutes later, earlier than Mouhamed Dioubate and Grant Nelson helped the tide shut out the Lopes on a 10-0 run. Grand. Canyon went 2-for-20 from three-point vary and missed 15 free throws. So, they had been certain to fall flat on their face towards the No. 1 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels…proper?

Unsuitable.

For the third consecutive recreation, Alabama dictated the tempo of the sport. Each time North Carolina appeared like they’d draw back, Alabama went on a mini-run to maintain the sport inside placing distance. It is a group with 4 legit scorers and capturing threats. Sears and Rylan Griffen are knockdown shooters. Nelson is an not possible cowl, whereas Aaron Estrada is that annoying left-hander who all the time finds a method to get to his left.

Nelson’s 5 blocks had been large in figuring out the result. It is a group with an excessive amount of firepower to carry down, which is why it’s not a shock that Alabama remains to be alive. – KP

4. Illinois Combating Illini

Terrance Shannon was about 5 spots too low in our prime 50 March Insanity gamers. He’s taking part in like essentially the most gifted offensive participant within the nation. He’s a blur with the ball in his palms however is powerful sufficient to play by contact and get himself to the free-throw line. Oh, he’s additionally a lock to hit three or 4 threes a recreation.

The Illini had a slight scare within the first spherical towards Morehead State earlier than outscoring them by 15 within the second half. They made fast work of Duquesne within the spherical of 32 behind Shannon’s 30 factors.

After two environment friendly offensive outputs, Illinois confirmed it could win a kind of grind-it-out video games towards the Cyclones within the Candy 16. What’s been so spectacular concerning the Combating Illini’s postseason efficiency is that they’ve had two off video games from Marcus Domask — a participant able to scoring 25 on any night time.

So, you have got an unstoppable power in Shannon, Domask, who’s due for an enormous recreation, and a do-it-all stretch-five in Coleman Hawkins, who performs with nice power, will get on the offensive glass, and might pull your huge man away from the rim. If there’s a group that may give UConn a run for its cash, a group filled with shooters just like the Illini are it. – KP

3. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee knew this was the 12 months they needed to make a deep run coming into the event. The Vols have been a persistently good program underneath Rick Barnes, however they’ve additionally solely been to 1 Elite Eight and nil Ultimate Fours in program historical past. This 12 months’s group had one thing its rugged predecessors didn’t: a celebrity scorer in fifth-year senior Dalton Knecht. Tennessee outlasted Creighton, 82-75, in a recreation that showcased all of the methods these Vols are totally different.

Tennessee lit it up from lengthy vary by capturing 11-of-24 from three. Knecht hasn’t been dropping 40-point masterpieces like he was throughout SEC season, however he nonetheless completed with 24 factors, six rebounds, and 5 assists, albeit on 21 subject aim makes an attempt. The remainder of the Vols have performed in so many huge video games earlier than, with Josiah-Jordan James offering 3-and-D connectivity in his fifth 12 months and Zakai Zeigler enhancing his scoring punch as a junior. Tennessee is about to face its greatest check but, actually, with 7’4 middle Zach Edey and Purdue. If any protection has the reply for Edey, it’s Tennessee. The offense simply has to carry up its finish of the cut price once more, too. — ROD

2. Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue had the load of the world on its shoulders getting into this event after changing into the second No. 1 seed to ever lose to a No. 16 seed solely a 12 months in the past. You’d know there was a lot stress on this group by watching the way in which they’ve performed. Purdue beat Gonzaga, 80-68, for its third straight victory on this event that was by no means actually in jeopardy. The Boilermakers simply look extra snug and extra assured round celebrity middle Zach Edey, and so they verify so many packing containers for what a possible nationwide champion is meant to appear like.

Braden Smith has developed into among the best level guards in America as a sophomore, giving Purdue a gradual hand that is aware of how one can discover his large middle in any scenario. Smith was masterful with 14 factors, 15 assists, and eight rebounds towards Gonzaga, exhibiting the kind of ‘pure’ PG play that coaches dream about. The shooters round Edey and Smith are scorching proper now: Purdue hit 9-of-20 three-pointers, with 4 gamers hitting a number of photographs behind the arc. Lance Jones has been a god ship for this group as its lone impression switch, giving the group some zest on each ends of the ground they badly lacked a 12 months in the past. Edey’s dominance is so routine at this level that his 27 factors and 14 rebounds towards Gonzaga simply appears like par for the course. Purdue hasn’t been to the Ultimate 4 since 1980, and it’s by no means received a nationwide title. The Boilermakers want to remain unfastened and keep within the second, as a result of proper now it appears like they’re taking part in nice basketball. — ROD

1. Connecticut Huskies

As we said in our Candy 16 rankings, more durable exams had been in Connecticut’s path because the defending champions headed into the Candy 16. Up first? San Diego State, the group the Huskies defeated within the Nationwide Championship Sport a season in the past.

Final 12 months Connecticut loved a 76-59 win over the Aztecs.

This 12 months was a good larger win.

The Huskies rolled 82-52 over San Diego State, in an atmosphere that felt extra like a December dwelling recreation for Connecticut in Storrs than a regional semifinal. With the Huskies attending to play at TD Backyard in Boston, simply 90 minutes or so from campus, the sport had the texture of a house recreation for the Huskies.

And Connecticut fed off that power, because the Huskies constructed a nine-point lead by halftime, and a 3 ball from Hassan Diarra within the nook with slightly below ten minutes remaining pushed Connecticut’s result in 62-48. The sport ended with 4 Huskies — Stephon Citadel, Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer, and Diarra — in double digits. Massive man Donovan Clingan, who has develop into a power this season, added eight factors and eight boards, to go along with one other outing the place he impacted the sport on the rim.

As we rote earlier this week, “their finest recreation nonetheless feels higher than anybody else within the nation’s.” That is still true heading into the Elite Eight. — MS