March Madness: Elite 8 Men's Basketball Teams Revealed

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The NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, also known as March Madness, is an annual Division I men's basketball tournament that began in 1939. The Elite Eight is the final hurdle before the Final Four, with teams battling for a spot in college basketball's biggest event. The 2024 men's Elite Eight included UConn, Purdue, Duke, Alabama, Clemson, NC State, Tennessee, and Illinois. The 2025 Elite Eight games included UConn, Alabama, NC State, Duke, Purdue, and Tennessee.

Characteristics Values
Year 2024
Number of teams remaining 8
Teams UConn Huskies, Purdue Boilermakers, NC State Wolfpack, Duke, Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee
Previous round Sweet 16
Next round Final Four
Date of Elite Eight games 29-30 March 2024
Date of Final Four 6 April 2024
Date of National Championship game 8 April 2024
Venue of Final Four and National Championship games State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Broadcasters TBS/truTV, CBS, B/R Sports Max, Paramount+ with Showtime

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Who's in the Elite 8?

The Elite Eight is the quarter-final round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, also known as March Madness. The tournament features 68 men's college basketball teams from across the US, and the Elite Eight is the final hurdle before the Final Four.

The 2024 men's NCAA Tournament Elite Eight was comprised of the following teams:

  • UConn Huskies (No. 1 seed)
  • Illinois (No. 3 seed)
  • Alabama (No. 4 seed)
  • Clemson (No. 6 seed)
  • Duke (No. 4 seed)
  • NC State (No. 11 seed)
  • Purdue (No. 1 seed)
  • Tennessee (No. 2 seed)

The 2025 Elite Eight games began on March 29 for men's NCAA basketball. The men's tournament is broadcast on channels including CBS, TBS, and TNT Sports.

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UConn's second consecutive win

The UConn Huskies have a rich history in men's basketball, with the team reaching its first Elite Eight in 1964 and winning its first NCAA championship in 1999. The Huskies have since gone on to win six national championships in a span of 25 years, establishing themselves as one of the greatest programs in college basketball history.

In the 2024 season, UConn continued its dominance, becoming the eighth school in NCAA Division I history to win back-to-back national championships. This achievement cemented the Huskies' status as a powerhouse in college basketball and marked the first time a school had accomplished this feat in 17 years.

UConn's journey to their second consecutive win in the Elite Eight in 2024 was not without its challenges. The Huskies faced tough competition but demonstrated their resilience and determination to emerge victorious. Led by their talented players and dedicated coaching staff, UConn crushed San Diego State 82-52 to secure their place in the Elite Eight. This decisive victory showcased the team's strength and cohesion, as they overpowered their opponents to advance in the tournament.

The Huskies' success in the 2024 Elite Eight can be attributed to their well-rounded gameplay and strategic approach. UConn's offense was relentless, with players consistently making critical shots and outmaneuvering their opponents. Their defense was equally formidable, as they employed tactical maneuvers to disrupt their rivals' gameplay and make critical stops. The team's ability to adapt to different strategies and exploit weaknesses proved instrumental in their triumph.

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Purdue's strong performance

Purdue's journey to the Elite Eight began with dominant wins in the early rounds, crushing Grambling State 78-50 and Utah State 106-67. These victories highlighted their offensive prowess, with the team achieving their 31st win of the season and breaking the program record for most wins. Purdue's success continued with a victory over Gonzaga, showcasing their ability to surge in the second half and secure a hard-fought win.

The Boilermakers' strong performance in the 2024 NCAA Tournament extended beyond their Elite Eight appearance. Led by senior center Zach Edey, who was in the running for national player of the year, Purdue showcased their offensive prowess. Edey's impressive statistics, including 24.6 points and 12.4 rebounds per game, made him a pivotal player for the team. In their Sweet 16 matchup against Gonzaga, Edey posted 27 points and 14 rebounds in a close 80-68 victory.

Purdue's success in the 2024 NCAA Tournament added to their rich basketball history. The Boilermakers compete in NCAA Division I and are founding members of the Big Ten Conference. They have achieved notable accomplishments, including the most Big Ten regular-season championships and being ranked as the #1 team in America for three consecutive seasons. Purdue has also produced over 30 NBA players, including two overall #1 draft picks. Their performance in the 2024 NCAA Tournament showcased their resilience and determination, building on their strong basketball legacy.

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Duke's surprise win

Duke's success in the Sweet 16 can be largely attributed to the outstanding performance of freshman Cooper Flagg, who scored 30 points, had 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks. Flagg's performance was hailed as "one of the best tournament performances" by Duke coach Jon Scheyer. The Blue Devils, as a team, also shot exceptionally well, with a field goal percentage of 60%, 58% from beyond the three-point line, and 85% from the free-throw line. This offensive prowess overwhelmed Houston and secured Duke's place in the Elite Eight.

Duke's victory over Houston holds even greater significance as it is their first Elite Eight appearance since the retirement of the iconic Coach K. Mike Krzyzewski, often referred to as 'Coach K,' led the Duke Blue Devils for four decades and established a formidable basketball program. During his tenure, Krzyzewski guided Duke to numerous successes, including five NCAA Championships. His retirement marked a new era for Duke, and their recent win demonstrates that the program has maintained its competitiveness even after his departure.

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NC State's Cinderella run

Despite the odds, NC State pulled off a string of upsets, becoming just the second team in college basketball history to win five games in five days. Their magical run began with a 73-65 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers in the semifinals of the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament. With six seconds left, guard Casey Morsell missed a three-pointer that would have tied the game. NC State then fouled, but Virginia missed the free throw, giving the Wolfpack one last chance. Michael O'Connell received the outlet pass, advanced the ball, and scored as time expired, sealing the win.

NC State's Cinderella story continued with a thrilling 74-69 victory over the two-seed Duke Blue Devils in the quarterfinals. The Wolfpack's junior forward, Mohamed Diarra, led the way with 14 points and 16 rebounds, dominating on both ends of the court and displaying relentless energy despite playing their third game in three days.

The Wolfpack's dream run extended into the Elite Eight, where they faced another formidable opponent in Marquette. Showing no signs of slowing down, NC State pulled off yet another upset, defeating Marquette 67-58 to continue their Cinderella journey. With each win, NC State defied expectations and etched their names deeper into March Madness lore.

Frequently asked questions

For the 2024 Elite Eight, the final eight teams remaining are UConn, Purdue, Duke, Alabama, Clemson, NC State, Tennessee, and Illinois.

The Elite Eight games will be broadcast on TBS/truTV and CBS.

The Elite Eight games will take place on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30.

The remaining teams after the Elite Eight will advance to the Final Four, which will take place on Saturday, April 6, followed by the national championship game on Monday, April 8.

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