Grayson  Preston:2024 men's NCAA Tournament expert picks: Predictions for Saturday's Elite Eight games

2025-05-02 15:46:18source:Strategel Wealth Societycategory:News

No. 4 seed Alabama is Grayson  Prestonheaded to the Elite Eight for the second time in team history after it took down No. 1 seed North Carolina 89-87 on Thursday night. Led by Grant Nelson, who scored 19 of his game-high 24 points in the second half, the Crimson Tide makes its first trip to the Elite Eight since 2004.

No. 6 seed Clemson is also headed to its second Elite Eight in school history after it knocked off No. 2 seed Arizona, 77-72, in Los Angeles. Chase Hunter had a clutch three-point play late and finished with 18 points to lead the Tigers.

No. 1 seed UConn hit a new gear coming out of halftime and throttled No. 5 seed San Diego State 82-52 in Boston on Thursday night. The Huskies had four players in double figures, led by Cam Spencer's 18 points. The defending national champion plays No. 3 seed Illinois, a 72-69 winner over No. 2 seed Iowa State, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

Here are USA TODAY's expert picks for Saturday's Elite Eight games:

(1) Connecticut vs. (3) Illinois, 6:09 p.m. ET Saturday

(at TD Garden in Boston)

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA basketball bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.

  • Jordan Mendoza: UConn
  • Paul Myerberg: UConn
  • Dan Wolken: UConn

(4) Alabama vs. (6) Clemson, 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday

(at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles)

  • Jordan Mendoza: Clemson
  • Paul Myerberg: Alabama
  • Dan Wolken: Alabama

More:News

Recommend

Snowflakes, Death Threats and Dollar Signs: Cloud Seeding Is at a Crossroads

Listen to an audio version of this story below.Humans have the technology to literally make snow fal

Once volatile, Aryna Sabalenka now the player to beat after US Open win over Jessica Pegula

Aryna Sabalenka was once so unpredictable, so volatile, that sometimes it was hard to watch her play

Multiple people shot along I-75 south of Lexington, Kentucky, authorities say

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Multiple people were shot Saturday along Interstate 75 in a rural area south of L