After an exciting and eventful sweet sixteen round of March Madness, just eight of the original sixty-four teams remain in the biggest college basketball tournament of the world. This year, the lack of upsets leads to one of the lowest possible sums of the elite eight seeds, ranking well below previous years. This lack of upsets is destroying many viewers’ brackets, including Hingham High School student Beckett Williams, who stated, “My bracket is cooked. It is time to hang ‘em up.” Williams’ bracket is struggling, and he has given up on his bracket after a tough round of 32.
Auburn, led by Senior forward Johni Broome, who is averaging a solid 18.5 points per game. Their success in the tournament so far, beating Alabama State, Creighton, and Michigan, has led them to their third elite eight appearance in program history.
Michigan State, who will face off against the Auburn Tigers, are led to their 15th elite eight by Jaden Akins. The 2 seed powerhouse has already defeated Ole Miss, New Mexico, and Bryant.
The number one seed in the tournament, Florida, has won both contested and blowout games versus Maryland, UConn, and Norfolk State. Walter Clayton Jr’s leadership has led them to their success – leading Hingham High student Will Cosman to remark, “Florida’s display of unity as a team has allowed them to advance.”
Texas Tech, the lowest seed remaining in the tournament, has proved all doubters wrong by defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks, who were unbeatable, as well as Drake and UNC Wilmington.
Duke, a fan favorite led by future first round draft pick Cooper Flagg, has rolled through their competition, destroying Mount Saint Mary’s, Baylor, and Arizona. Their next matchup, Alabama, will pose the toughest challenge thus far.
Alabama, an offensive powerhouse, looks to continue their offensive dominance against Duke in the elite eight, just as they displayed versus BYU, Saint Mary’s, and Robert Morris.
Houston, despite their lack of success in the past year’s tournament, seems to be a championship contender, as the winning in the recent days versus Purdue, Gonzaga, and SIU Edwardsville has proved them to be a team that should not be taken lightly.
Finally, the Tennessee Volunteers have had a tough schedule thus far and proved to be triumphant versus tough teams, such as Kentucky, UCLA, and Wofford. Tennessee is playing hungry for their first March Madness win.
In conclusion, the remaining eight powerhouse teams are sure to provide quality games for the remainder of the tournament and prove their team’s dominance of college basketball.
