Elite 8 Predictions: Day 1

by James Finneral

After having sixty-eight teams announced in this year's field, we are down to the Elite Eight. In past years the Elite Eight has showcased some of the greatest games in tournament history and this year should be no different. Lets take a look into the first two games of the Elite Eight.

#1 Kentucky vs. #3 Notre Dame:

Notre Dame is a great team with some talented players, but they are going to have issues containing the size and strength of Kentucky. The Irish have Zach Auguste and 6'6" Bonzie Colson down low. These guys will not be able to match up against Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Dakari Johnson and Trey Lyles, who are all at least 6'10". Look for Kentucky to get many second chances from offensive rebounds leading to easy scores. The only way Notre Dame will be able to win this game is if they shoot the lights out. With Jerian Grant, Pat Connaughton and Demitrius Jackson, the Irish are certainly capable of taking over a game from behind the three point arch. Unfortunately for Notre Dame the Harrison twins of Kentucky will do a nice job containing the shooters and Notre Dame will have nowhere else to turn. Even if the Notre Dame guards play well, Kentucky will have too much of an advantage in the post.

Prediction: #1 Kentucky 68...... #3 Notre Dame 54


#1 Wisconsin vs. #2 Arizona:

This game is a rematch of last year's Elite Eight except Wisconsin is now a one seed and Arizona is a two seed. Last year's game ended dramatically with Arizona's, Nick Johnson missing a buzzer beater and Wisconsin advancing to the Final Four. I believe we are in store for a similar treat because these two teams are equally talented. Arizona has a talented point guard in T.J. McConnell to go along with 6'7" wingman Stanley Johnson. Wisconsin also has a nice wing with Traevon Jackson, Negil Hayes and Sam Dekker. The difference in this game is going to be Wisconsin senior big man, Frank Kaminsky. Kaminsky has been the leader for Wisconsin all year and has been nothing short of phenomenal in the tournament. Nothing against Kaleb Tarczewski, but he will not be able to handle Frank the Tank down low. This game will go down to the wire, but Kaminsky will give Wisconsin the slight edge that they need to knock out the Wildcats and head to Indianapolis.

Prediction : #1 Wisconsin 62....... #2 Arizona 58