After making it to the Sweet 16, can top seeds UConn and Iowa State continue to hold serve to set up a one-two showdown in the Elite 8?
They both face their own stiff tests, as UConn gets a revenge-minded San Diego State team that they defeated in last year's National Championship game, while Iowa State's elite defense faces off with a red-hot Illinois squad that has been scoring at will.
There's a ton of intrigue in these two matchups given the rematch in the first game and the unstoppable force vs. immovable object vibe in the second.
While we anxiously await the tip-offs of these two games on Thursday night, here are our official predictions for which two East region powerhouses will square off in the Elite 8.
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5) San Diego State vs. (1) Connecticut
Time: 7:39 PM EST, Thursday
Channel: TBS
How They Got Here: SDSU defeated UAB, Yale. Connecticut defeated Stetson, Northwestern.
Odds: Connecticut -11.5
This is a rematch of last year's National Championship game, where UConn made quick work of the Aztecs on their way to the championship and a 76-59 win.
Is there much reason to expect a different result this year? While the Huskies lost a lot from last year's team, transfers Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton have proven to make this offense even more dynamic in the backcourt than they were last year, and Donovan Clingan has emerged as a truly elite center and likely the nation's most underrated player.
The Huskies are a full-on juggernaut, and it's truly difficult to see them losing a game to anyone in this tournament, even with every other one and two seed still alive.
On the San Diego State side of things, the Aztecs have been pushed to the next level by the growth of super star Jaedon LeDee, who averages 21.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The Aztecs have counted on him being the best player on the floor in all of their games this season, and he has delivered upon that trust.
While LeDee truly is fantastic, he will probably be the third best player in this game barring something unforeseen. The Aztecs have no other players who average double figures, and if they're going to pull the upset, they'll need an above-average game from LeDee and two of Reese Waters, Lamont Butler, and Micah Parrish to step up closer to LeDee's scoring level.
The Pick: 81-68, UConn
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(3) Illinois vs. (2) Iowa State
Time: 10:09 PM EST, Thursday
Channel: TBS
How They Got Here: Illinois defeated Morehead State, Duquesne. Iowa State defeated South Dakota State, Washington State.
Odds: Iowa State -1.5
This game promises to be an exciting clash of styles, as Illinois simply can not stop scoring. The Illini had no trouble against a fantastic Duquesne defensive unit, blowing past the Dukes to set up this matchup with Iowa State.
The Cyclones, for their part, are one of the very best defensive units in the nation, and their physical style makes scoring the ball a nightmare for their opponents.
According to KenPom, this is the best offense in the country against the best defense in the country. Good luck predicting which team will win out when Illinois has the ball. It truly could go either way.
When Iowa State has the ball, though, they might have a slight advantage as a top-50 offense against the 92nd-ranked Illini defense. If Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey get hot from the floor, the Cyclones could win this one going away.
Illinois has not been tested by an opposing offense yet this tournament, but we saw Iowa State overcome a very strong Washington State defense in the last round.
Because of that, I think you have to give a very slight edge to the Cyclones heading into this one, but this is going to be must-see television regardless of the winner.
The Pick: 74-73, Iowa State
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