This prediction article will have each matchup listed in order by date and time. The first game will be between (9) Iowa and (3) Illinois, with the top-off time set for 6:09 p.m. (Eastern time) later today. The second game of the night will be between (2) Purdue and (1) Arizona with an 8:49 p.m. tip-off time.
On Sunday, March 29th, (6) Tennessee will tip off against (1) Michigan at 2:15 p.m., followed by (2) UConn vs. (1) Duke at 5:05 p.m. - both games airing on CBS in the United States.
So be sure to keep an eye on our March Madness tracker when it goes live during the Iowa-Illinois game for final scores and highlights!
Now, let's see who our experts picked!
(9) Iowa vs. (3) Illinois
David - Illinois
How many people had Illinois and Iowa facing off in the Elite 8? If they did, they just might be a bunch of geniuses. However, both teams have earned their spot.
The Hawkeyes knocked off the defending champions Florida Gators in the second round, only to keep on going against Nebraska on Thursday. Fans who love a Cinderella story will have found that in Iowa for sure. It is now a question of whether they can keep that going against a strong Illinois team.
The Fighting Illini also had an important win a couple days ago, getting the better of last year's finalists Houston Cougars. Having conceded 55 points in each of the last two games, they show an ability to be tough to score on as well. As such, it will be a tough ask for anyone who has to face them at this point.
I have to go with Illinois as my pick here, as they are looking very tough to break down. With that said, we cannot underestimate Iowa, who are here for a reason. They do have the tough ask of having to get the better of one of the toughest teams left.
Michaela - Illinois
Iowa enters the matchup as the lowest remaining seed - a true Cinderella story - but they’ll face a major test against the high-octane Illinois. In the Sweet 16, the Hawkeyes outlasted Nebraska in a thriller, and they will need a similar performance to advance past the dynamic, high-paced, rebound-dominating Fighting Illini.
Iowa likes to play with a slower pace, working tirelessly to create a perfect shot – it will be crucial for the Hawkeyes to maintain their identity. If the Hawkeyes get pulled into Illinois’ preferred shootout style, things could spiral quickly.
For Iowa, defense is the swing factor. Illinois averages 84.2 points per game, and much of that success runs through Keaton Wagler, a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft who has been having a phenomenal freshman campaign. In an exciting Big Ten matchup, Iowa will come just a bit short of pulling out an upset. Illinois advances, but Iowa makes them earn every second of it.
Eric - Iowa
There have only been two No. 9 seeds in the history of the NCAA Tournament that advanced to the Final Four - Wichita State (2013) and Florida Atlantic (2023). Should Iowa win, they'll be the first-ever No. 9 seed to advance to the Final Four after defeating nothing but top-eight seeds.
The Hawkeyes defeated the 8th seed Clemson, the top seed Florida, and the fourth seed Nebraska. As for the Fighting Illini - No. 14 Penn, No. 11 VCU, No. 2 Houston. In their game against Houston, Illinois went 12-21 from the free throw line while the Cougars went 2-2 and shot 34%.
In the past two rounds, Iowa has shot above 50% from the floor and are coming off a win against Nebraska, shooting 43% from three-point range.
I think this Cinderella story continues. Iowa gets the win.
(2) Purdue vs. (1) Arizona
David - Arizona
One of two games in this round to see the top two seeds from a region square off; this really should be a cracking matchup. It may even be the game of the round.
Arizona have gone through the tournament with ease, and look like a serious contender to go and cut the nets down in a week and change from now. They have looked the part, and will be a tough ask to beat. As for Purdue, they have had some troubles in the last couple of games. Their almost-buzzer beater in the Sweet 16 gave them quite the scare, but the Boilermakers, having won the Big Ten, will be tough to beat.
I have the Wildcats going all the way, especially seeing that they have not lost in neutral territory this year. I am not changing my pick here, and will go with Arizona going to the Final Four.
Michaela - Arizona
This might be the clash of the hottest teams in the Elite 8. Purdue dominated the end of the regular season, taking home the Big Ten title. They barely survived a resilient Texas team in the Sweet 16 but outlasted the Longhorns with a gritty, physical performance. Their narrow win showed their toughness when things get difficult. The Boilermakers rely on experience – their three key players are seniors and know how to play under pressure on the big stage.
Arizona, however, has been unstoppable. Riding a 12-game winning streak, they’ve imposed their will with physicality inside, dominant rebounding, and suffocating defense. Their ability to force tough, contested shots could disrupt Purdue’s rhythm and limit clean looks for their veteran core.
This game might go neck-to-neck, but the Wildcats will prevail. Despite Purdue having the NCAA all-time assists leader in Braden Smith, Arizona’s NBA prospect Brayden Burries will lead the No. 1 seed to the Final Four with a hard-fought win.
Eric - Arizona
As Arizona continued to dominate their way through the tournament, Purdue's struggles grew more and more each round as the competition grew tougher. The Boilermakers have great size and are a team that could clutch their way in the final moments should the game be close.
But I just don't see a scenario in which Arizona lets this game be close in the final five minutes in the first place. The Wildcats beating Arkansas - the No. 2 scoring team in the nation - by a whopping 22 points should be a tall tale sign of what's to come for this game.
Doesn't need more analysis than that. I'm taking Arizona.
(6) Tennessee vs. (1) Michigan
David - Michigan
If there is one team that has looked apart so far, it is Michigan. The Wolverines have lived up to their one seed, and will be heavy favourites to make the Final Four. They have scored over 90 points in all three games thus far, and have rarely been troubled at all in their run.
The Volunteers, meanwhile, have proven a tough nut to crack. Having conceded less than 70 points in two of their three games so far, they just might be the best team left defensively. Many will have overlooked Tennessee when picking their brackets; however, they have shown they can compete with the big boys late in the dance.
This could be a close one. While I had neither advancing this far in the tournament, there is one team that has just been too good, and that is Michigan. On that basis, I have the Wolverines moving on.
Michaela - Tennessee
Tennessee is fighting for their first-ever trip to the Final Four. Coming off a statement victory over Iowa State, the Vols are looking to keep rolling. The momentum is on their side and have the skills and size to take down a first-seeded squad in what is going to be a battle of front courts.
Michigan has been dominating the paint and the glass. Their size has been a problem – but if there is a team that can measure up, it’s Tennessee. The Volunteers average more rebounds than the Wolverines, and dominating the boards was a huge reason why they beat Iowa State in the Sweet 16. If they want to outlast Michigan, they will have to outrebound them, too.
The Wolverines shoot the ball a bit better from distance, so Tennessee must be efficient – knocking down perimeter shots and converting at the free-throw line to avoid falling behind. If they can balance that with their interior strength, they’ll put themselves in a position to win late. Expect a bruising, back-and-forth battle. But in the closing minutes, Tennessee’s grit and rebounding edge helped them break through to survive and advance and finally compete in the Final Four.
Eric - Michigan
Michigan looks good... no, they look primed for a championship. Alabama led the nation in scoring at 91.2 points per game, and the Wolverines not only held them to 77 points but beat them by 13 as well.
They are the only remaining team to actually score more than 90 points in each of their games this tournament, while Tennessee has yet to score more than 80 or shoot better than 45%. The reason they came away with a win against Iowa State is that the Cyclones shot a brutal 22% - don't expect Michigan to do the same.
Despite their feistiness of Tennessee, Michigan is quite literally 'built different'.
(2) UConn vs. (1) Duke
David - Duke
I am quite intrigued to see how this game goes, seeing that neither team have been overly impressive in this tournament. It feels like it could go either way.
Duke have sleepwalked through March Madness thus far, almost losing in the first round to Siena. Some may think the Blue Devils were just given a tricky 16 seed - only for the troubles to continue. There has been nothing convincing about last year's national semi-finalists. UConn have not been overly brilliant either, though.
A six-point win over Michigan State on Friday will certainly give the Huskies confidence going into what promises to be a cracker.
Many bracket predictors have Duke going all the way, especially due to them being the overall number one seed. While they have not inspired in the tournament, I do have them reaching the national championship game. As such, the Blue Devils are my pick in this one.
Michaela - Duke
Duke haven’t had a smooth cruise through the tournament, but it feels like the Blue Devils get better with each round. They outworked the Red Storm after a hustle-filled second half. But UConn is scrappy, and Duke cannot afford any lapses on both offense and defense and let the Huskies get on a run.
Duke boasts better offensive, defensive, and rebounding numbers. They rely heavily on the production of Cameron Boozer, who averages 22.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He sets the tone for Duke, and when he’s rolling, the entire team follows. If UConn slows him down, they will stay in the game.
UConn, though, thrives in exactly this kind of game. They’re physical, relentless, and capable of turning opponents’ mistakes into momentum-shifting runs. To succeed, they will have to control the boards and force Duke into tough shots. Still, Duke’s balance and upward trajectory may be the deciding factor and reason why the Blue Devils come out on top.
Eric - UConn
How much more is Duke going to keep stumbling until they finally hit pavement? They beat St. John's by five with 16 more free throw attempts. And despite UCONN being outrebounded by Michigan State, which could be a major factor against a great rebounding team like Duke, they still prevailed in the end.
They're arguably the best-coached team of any other in the tournament, and Tarris Reed Jr. is a monstrous force underneath the basket who towers over the other starters for Duke at 6-foot-11.
Duke is fantastic when it comes to maintaining consistency in their shots. In the past two rounds, they've shot 55% and 54% respectively, whereas UCONN didn't shoot over 50%. Yet, a team that continues to defy the numbers won't stop doing it now. I'm going with UConn