Helena Frye
The Elite Eight is the final eight teams in the NCAA basketball tournament. The 2024 Elite Eight included the UConn Huskies, Purdue Boilermakers, and NC State Wolfpack. The 2025 Elite Eight will be played at four locations: Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey; Chase Center in San Francisco; State Farm Arena in Atlanta; and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The 2023 Elite Eight included Florida Atlantic, Kansas State, Gonzaga, and UConn.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is the Elite Eight? | The "Elite Eight" comprises the final eight teams, representing the regional finals, or national quarterfinals. |
| When is the Elite Eight? | The Elite Eight exists in men's play for less than 24 hours between the second Friday evening and the following Saturday afternoon of the tournament. |
| Where is the Elite Eight? | The Elite Eight for the 2025 NCAA Tournament will be played at four locations: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, Chase Center in San Francisco, State Farm Arena in Atlanta, and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. |
| Who is in the Elite Eight? | 2024**:** NC State, Duke, Illinois, Clemson Tigers, Alabama, Tennessee, Purdue, UConn Huskies, and more. 2025**:** Nova Southeastern, Assumption, Washburn, Lake Superior State, and more. |
| Who are the underdogs? | In 2024, NC State was considered an underdog, as it had not been in an Elite Eight in 38 years. In 2025, Assumption is a notable underdog, as they are not a No. 1 seed. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Elite Eight comprises the final eight teams in the NCAA basketball tournament
- The Elite Eight represents the halfway mark of the men's tournament
- The Elite Eight can refer to eight NCAA Division I baseball teams
- The Elite Eight includes the two teams in each of the four regional championship games
- The winners of the Elite Eight advance to the Final Four
The Elite Eight comprises the final eight teams in the NCAA basketball tournament
The winners of the Elite Eight games advance to the Final Four. In the men's Division I, the lowest-seeded team to reach this round in the modern 64-team tournament era is the No. 15 seed Saint Peter's University in 2022. There have also been two No. 12 seeds that have advanced to the Elite Eight: Missouri in 2002 and the Oregon State Beavers in 2021.
In 2024, the Elite Eight teams included NC State, Duke, Illinois, Clemson Tigers, Alabama, Tennessee, Purdue, and UConn Huskies. These teams were seeking to advance to the Final Four and change the narratives of their seasons.
The DII Men's Elite Eight in 2025 included teams such as Nova Southeastern, seeking their third consecutive championship game appearance, and Washburn, who had an impressive undefeated streak of 22 games. The games were held in Evansville, Indiana, with the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds streamed on ESPN+ and the championship broadcast on CBS.
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The Elite Eight represents the halfway mark of the men's tournament
The Elite Eight is a significant milestone in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, representing the halfway mark of the tournament. This stage of the competition includes the final eight teams, who compete in the regional finals or national quarterfinals. To reach this point, each qualifying team must win three rounds, and they face three more rounds to ultimately reach and win the national championship game.
The phrase "Elite Eight" was first used to refer to the Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship, a single-elimination tournament run by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). When the number of teams in the IHSA finals was reduced from sixteen to eight in 1956, the new term "Elite Eight" was coined to replace "Sweet Sixteen." Since 1997, the NCAA has trademarked the phrase specifically for its Division II tournaments, where it refers to the eight winners of the eight Division II regions.
The Elite Eight is a highly anticipated and exciting stage of the tournament, often attracting betting and live-streaming audiences. It is a time when teams seek to change narratives and make their mark on the tournament's history. The teams that reach this stage showcase their skills and determination, aiming to advance to the coveted Final Four.
In the lead-up to the Elite Eight, several teams have stood out for their impressive performances and unexpected wins. For example, in 2024, five of the eight higher seeds were unexpectedly defeated in the Sweet 16, leaving a mix of survivors aiming to rewrite history. Teams like Purdue, NC State, and Duke have all had notable runs, with Purdue seeking to break their streak of excruciating exits and NC State aiming to replicate their 1983 miracle championship.
The Elite Eight is not just a milestone but also a testament to the hard work and perseverance of the teams involved. It is a showcase of the talent and determination required to make it to the final stages of the tournament.
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The Elite Eight can refer to eight NCAA Division I baseball teams
The Elite Eight term is also used in other sports contexts. In NCAA men's and women's Division I basketball championships, the Elite Eight represents the final eight teams in the regional finals or national quarterfinals. In Division I and Division III, the Elite Eight consists of two teams from each of the four regional championship games, with the winners advancing to the Final Four. In Division II, the Elite Eight comprises the eight winners from the eight Division II regions, and the games are held at a predetermined location. Additionally, the term Elite Eight is sometimes colloquially used to refer to quarterfinalists in the four major North American professional sports leagues, including Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League.
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The Elite Eight includes the two teams in each of the four regional championship games
The Elite Eight is comprised of the final eight teams in the NCAA men's Division I basketball championship or the NCAA women's Division I basketball championship. These teams represent the regional finals, or national quarterfinals. In Division I and Division III, the Elite Eight consists of the two teams in each of the four regional championship games. The winners advance to the Final Four.
In 2024, the Elite Eight teams included NC State, Duke, Clemson Tigers, Alabama, Tennessee, Purdue, Illinois, and UConn Huskies. The Clemson Tigers, Alabama, Tennessee, and Purdue all advanced to the Final Four.
In 2025, the Elite Eight games will be played at four locations: Prudential Center in Newark, NJ; Chase Center in San Francisco; State Farm Arena in Atlanta; and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The term "Elite Eight" was originally used to refer to the Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship. When the IHSA finals were reduced from sixteen to eight teams in 1956, the phrase was coined to replace "Sweet Sixteen." The IHSA trademarked the term in 1995, and it is now held by the March Madness Athletic Association, a joint venture between the NCAA and IHSA.
The Elite Eight can also refer to the eight NCAA Division I baseball teams that reach the College World Series. Additionally, the term is often used colloquially to denote quarterfinalists in the four major North American professional sports leagues.
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The winners of the Elite Eight advance to the Final Four
The Elite Eight is comprised of the final eight teams in the NCAA men's Division I basketball championship or the NCAA women's Division I basketball championship. These teams represent the regional finals or national quarterfinals. The winners of the Elite Eight advance to the Final Four.
In Division I and Division III, the Elite Eight consists of the two teams in each of the four regional championship games. In Division II, the Elite Eight consists of the eight winners of the eight Division II regions. The Division II Elite Eight games are all held in one predetermined location.
The Elite Eight represents the halfway mark of the men's tournament, as each qualifying team must win three rounds to reach the national quarterfinals, with three rounds remaining to reach and win the national championship game.
In 2024, the Elite Eight teams included NC State, Duke, Illinois, Clemson Tigers, Tennessee, Alabama, Purdue, and UConn Huskies. Five of the eight higher seeds lost in the Sweet 16, leaving a group of survivors aiming to reach the Final Four and change their recent history.
In 2025, the DII Men's Elite Eight included the Patriots, Lake Superior State, Nova Southeastern, Washburn, and Assumption. The quarterfinal and semifinal rounds were streamed on ESPN+, with the championship game broadcast on CBS.
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Frequently asked questions
Alabama and Houston.
No. 5 San Diego State and No. 5 Miami.
No. 6 Creighton, No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Xavier, and No. 9 Florida Atlantic.
UConn Huskies.
No. 11 NC State.
