Both teams are in the Elite Eight for just the second time in school history, as Clemson last got here in 1980 and Alabama made it in 2004. Both fell at this hurdle, which means the winner will make their first Final Four trip ever.
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Same time, next year, as Iowa and Colorado meet in the Sweet 16. This time, however, the nation’s eyes are focused on this game because of Caitlin Clark, and the Buffaloes are wearing the black hats.
UCLA is a deeper team, and if the Bruins can get someone in foul trouble, they’ll have the edge.
However, the biggest question is whether UCLA is aggressive enough to take advantage of LSU’s aggression. The Bruins don’t get to the line very often, even though they do rebound well. If they can’t grind with the Tigers, they’re in trouble.
As dominant as Connecticut has looked in March, it also hasn’t really played that great of a slate. If anything takes down Connecticut, it might be that they’re not prepared for a team that’s been sharpened by Big Ten steel.
Before we get to next year’s 2,811-mile road trip, one of these teams will have to get past the other to reach the Elite Eight. And if the Stanford guards don’t step up their play, it’s not going to be the Cardinal moving on.
Welcome to my Quick Picks column, where I hand out winners, winners, and more winners every day. I fire off picks on everything from college hoops to the NHL.
Gonzaga hasn’t scored less than 66 points all season, as the Bulldogs are used to outrunning everyone on their schedule. But the Bulldogs lost that game to Portland, and there’s no evidence they can handle a team that forces them to figure things out. Texas won’t allow them to run, which could muck up Gonzaga’s efforts.
The Golden Eagles survived against Colorado, defeating them 81-77 in their last game. They have won five of their last six games including the first-round defeat of Western Kentucky. Marquette is one of the most balanced teams in the tournament and with the spread at -7 they are a heavy favorite to move on.