The Elite Eight stage is heating up, with four teams now just one victory away from advancing to the Final Four in Indianapolis. Following Thursday's intense action, the bracket for Saturday's showdowns is set.
Iowa and Illinois Clash in Houston
No. 9 Iowa secured their spot in the Elite Eight—their first since 1987—by staging a comeback against Nebraska. The Hawkeyes capitalized on a critical defensive error by the Cornhuskers in the closing moments to seal the win. They are now set to face No. 3 Illinois at the Toyota Center.
Illinois earned their place by defeating No. 2 Houston 65-55 on the road. It is worth noting that Illinois previously secured a victory over Iowa during their regular-season matchup back in January.
Purdue Faces Top-Seeded Arizona
In San Jose, No. 2 Purdue narrowly advanced past Texas. The game-winning moment came from Trey Kaufman-Renn, who scored on a putback with less than a second remaining, resulting in a 79-77 victory for the Boilermakers. Purdue continues its strong tournament showing, marking 10 NCAA tournament wins over the last three seasons.
The Boilermakers will next contend with No. 1 Arizona. The Wildcats showcased their dominance on Thursday night, cruising past No. 4 Arkansas in their Sweet 16 contest.
How to Watch: Elite Eight Schedule (All times ET)
Saturday, March
- No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 3 Illinois
- Time: 6:09 p.m.
- Location: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
- TV: TBS/TruTV
- Commentators: Kevin Harlan, Robbie Hummel, Stan Van Gundy
- No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 1 Arizona
- Time: 8:49 p.m.
- Location: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
- Commentators: Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, Allie LaForce