March Madness Recap – Men's Elite Eight Weekend:
What a wild weekend of hoops! The Elite Eight wrapped up and now we’ve got a heavyweight Final Four – all No. 1 seeds made it through, which hasn’t happened since 2008. Every team looked like a title contender, and we’re in for a stacked showdown in San Antonio.
Here’s how the weekend went down:
• Florida outlasted Texas Tech, 84–79 – gritty, fast-paced, and Florida just kept the pressure on.
• Duke steamrolled Alabama, 85–65 – Cooper Flagg showed out again with 16 points and 9 boards. The kid’s the real deal.
• Houston locked down Tennessee, 69–50 – their defense was brutal, holding the Vols to under 30% shooting.
• Auburn handled Michigan State, 70–64 – Johni Broome was a beast with 25 points and 14 rebounds.
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Final Four Matchups (Saturday, April 5 – Alamodome, San Antonio)
1. Florida vs. Auburn – 6:09 p.m. ET on CBS
• SEC battle incoming! Florida’s been sharp offensively, but Auburn’s physicality, especially with Broome in the paint, is no joke. This one’s gonna be a slugfest.
2. Duke vs. Houston – 8:49 p.m. ET on CBS
• This is the chess match of the weekend. Duke’s flashy young core vs. Houston’s bruising defense. Keep an eye on Flagg again – if he can crack Houston’s D, Duke might be headed back to the title game.
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Championship Game:
Monday, April 7 at 8:50 p.m. ET (CBS)
Winner of Florida/Auburn vs. Winner of Duke/Houston
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Odds to Win It All (as of now):
• Duke: +110 (favorites)
• Florida: +250
• Houston: +400
• Auburn: +475
So yeah… buckle up. Four heavyweights, one trophy. You got a favorite in this group? Want me to send reminders or updates leading into Final Four weekend?
Women's Elite Eight Recap:
This weekend’s games were nothing short of thrilling, setting the stage for an electrifying Final Four. Here’s how the action unfolded:
• South Carolina Gamecocks (1) vs. Duke Blue Devils (2):
In a nail-biter, South Carolina edged out Duke with a 54-50 victory. Chloe Kitts was instrumental, leading the Gamecocks with 14 points and sinking crucial free throws in the dying moments. This win marks South Carolina’s fifth consecutive trip to the Final Four.
• UCLA Bruins (1) vs. LSU Tigers (3):
UCLA secured a 72-65 win over LSU. Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez were standout performers, contributing 17 and 18 points respectively. Despite a valiant 28-point effort from LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, UCLA’s depth and outside shooting proved decisive.
• Texas Longhorns (1) vs. Tennessee Lady Volunteers (5):
Texas continued their dominant run with a 67-59 victory over Tennessee. Madison Booker led the Longhorns with 20 points, showcasing their offensive prowess.
• TCU Horned Frogs (2) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3):
TCU made history by advancing to their first-ever Elite Eight, defeating Notre Dame 71-62. Hailey Van Lith was the star, scoring 26 points and propelling the Horned Frogs into uncharted territory.
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Women's Final Four Preview:
The Final Four is set to tip off on Friday, April 4, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Here’s what to look forward to:
1. South Carolina Gamecocks (1) vs. Texas Longhorns (1):
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Broadcast: ESPN
• Notes: This clash features two powerhouse programs. South Carolina aims to defend their title, while Texas seeks to capitalize on their momentum and secure a spot in the championship game.
2. UCLA Bruins (1) vs. TCU Horned Frogs (2):
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Broadcast: ESPN
• Notes: UCLA brings experience and depth, but TCU, riding the high of their historic run, could prove to be formidable opponents.
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National Championship Game:
• Date & Time: Sunday, April 6, 3:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
• Broadcast: ABC
As the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament progresses, tonight features two pivotal Elite Eight matchups that will determine the final teams advancing to the Final Four.
Monday, March 31 (Elite Eight):
• (1) Texas Longhorns vs. (2) TCU Horned Frogs
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Legacy Arena at BJCC, Birmingham, Alabama
• Broadcast: ESPN
• Notes: This in-state showdown features contrasting styles: Texas relies on deliberate plays and strong rebounding, led by standout Madison Booker, while TCU excels in three-point shooting, with key contributions from Hailey Van Lith. Both teams hold identical records, adding to the anticipation of this matchup.
• (1) Southern California Trojans vs. (2) UConn Huskies
• Time: 9 p.m. ET
• Location: Spokane Arena, Spokane, Washington
• Broadcast: ESPN
• Notes: UConn’s Paige Bueckers is coming off a historic 40-point performance in the Sweet 16, showcasing her ability to lead the Huskies under pressure. USC, despite the absence of star freshman JuJu Watkins due to an ACL injury, remains formidable with players like Kiki Iriafen stepping up. This game is a rematch from earlier in the season, adding an extra layer of intrigue.
These games promise intense competition as teams vie for a coveted spot in the Final Four. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN.
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