Elite 8 Predictions

Author: Dawson Haywood

In my predictions for the Sweet 16 I ended up 5-3. Loyola Chicago, Alabama, and Syracuse were the teams that I predicted to win that lost. Even though I harped on Houston being frauds I can admit that picking Syracuse was probably not my best move. Sister Jean and the Ramblers disappointed me because I really thought they were hot and were about to make a solid run. Nine times out of Ten I would have picked Loyola Chicago over Oregon State... Oregon State just played really well. Alabama losing surprised me because the SEC is competitive, especially this year since Kentucky was not dominant which left the conference wide open, and being number one during the regular season and winning the conference tournament meant they were hot. The fact that UCLA is in the Elite 8 baffles me because they came into the tournament on a four game losing streak, but that is the beauty of March Madness. Lets get into my predictions for the Elite 8.

#1 Gonzaga v #6 USC
Prediction: Gonzaga Win
  Gonzaga is still THE team to beat this year. They have the players, the coaching, and the hot streak to win it all. They're only two games away from making the finals and I do not see them letting up. Since 2011 they have made it to the Sweet 16 with a few trips to the final four and even the finals in 2017 only to fall short. This is Gonzaga's year. This is arguably USC's best team since 1992. This will arguably be the best game in the Elite 8. If Gonzaga can blow out this USC team like they did Creighton I have no doubt Gonzaga wins it all.

#1 Michigan v #11 UCLA
Prediction: Michigan Win
  If you have paid any attention to social media, you will know that this is Michigan's fourth trip to the Elite 8 since 2013, which is the most trips to the Elite 8 since. This record is also held by Duke, Gonzaga, and Kentucky. I'm still on the Juward Howard train. Seniors Isaiah Livers, Rico-Ozuna-Harrison, CJ Baird, Luke Wilson, Austin Davis, and Eli Brooks all know what it is like to make it to the finals only to lose. They still have that bad taste in their mouth. This is their last year to prove that they are the best. Coach Howard also knows what it is like to make the finals and lose as a player. This team is out to prove something and I do not see UCLA being the reason they don't make it this year.

#1 Baylor v #3 Arkansas
Prediction: Baylor Win
  Baylor is just a dominant team, but so is Arkansas. I mentioned in my Sweet 16 article that I predict a Baylor v Gonzaga finals. This is the highest seeded matchup in the Elite 8 and naturally that will make this game interesting. I'm picking Baylor to win this game because they have been nothing but dominant in the tournament up to this point. Oral Roberts was only inches away from beating Arkansas on a last second shot and they just inched their way past Texas Tech as well. Baylor's dominance thus far leads me to believe that they can compete with anybody and beat anybody.

#2 Houston v #12 Oregon State
Prediction: Oregon State
  I'm not backing down when I say Houston is a fraud even though my prediction last week bit me in the butt. Oregon State has beat Loyola Chicago, Oklahoma State, and Tennessee to get to this point, all of which are quality teams, and in the regular season have notable wins over Colorado, Oregon (twice), and UCLA. Houston still only has one notable team that they have beat all year long, Texas Tech. They have proved that they are beatable with losses to ECU, Tulsa, and Wichita State. If Houston pulls out of this game, they for sure are not beating Baylor or Arkansas. They also have been the lowest scoring winning team in the last two rounds. Now, if Houston does win this game and moves into the Final Four, they have to make it to the finals before I admit that they are not frauds. 

Last Weeks Results

West
#1 Gonzaga: 83 
#5 Creighton: 65

#6 USC: 82
#7 Oregon: 68

East
#1 Michigan: 76 
#4 Florida State: 58

#11 UCLA: 88 
#2 Alabama: 78

South
#1 Baylor: 62 
#5 Villanova: 51

#3 Arkansas: 72 
#15 Oral Roberts: 70

Midwest
#8 Loyola Chicago: 58 
#12 Oregon State: 65

#11 Syracuse: 46
#2 Houston: 62

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