The men’s NCAA tournament reaches the Elite Eight on Saturday with two regional final matchups on the schedule: Illinois vs. Iowa and Arizona vs. Purdue. With a trip to the Final Four on the line, the games represent the last hurdle before college basketball’s biggest stage.
ESPN’s college basketball crew weighed in on both contests and reached agreement on which teams will advance from each matchup. The panel’s consensus covers Illinois–Iowa and Arizona–Purdue as the tournament narrows to its final teams.
Illinois vs. Iowa
Illinois and Iowa meet with a Final Four berth at stake. ESPN’s panel is in agreement on the outcome of the matchup, identifying the team it expects to emerge from the Elite Eight and move on.
Arizona vs. Purdue
Arizona and Purdue face off in the other Elite Eight game on Saturday’s slate. ESPN’s group also aligned on which program it expects to advance, setting the stage for the tournament’s final weekend.
Saturday’s winners will secure spots in the Final Four, bringing the field one step closer to a national champion.