Elite 8 Sunday Open Thread

Note: As per usual, RCT will have a separate gamethread for the Duke-Kansas game.

SCHEDULE (All times Central)

3 Texas Tech vs 1 Villanova, 1:20 PM, CBS, Boston, MA

Villanova comes in a 6.5-point favorite over the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. The Wildcats are looking for their sixth Final Four; the last time they went (2016), they won it all. Texas Tech has never made a Final Four, in fact, this is the program’s first game in the Elite 8.

Dumb Prediction: Per KenPom, Villanova has the top offense in the country, and will have to contend with Tech’s fourth-rated defense. I wonder if Texas Tech will be able to keep up with Villanova’s relentless pressure on offense. Villanova 78, Texas Tech 70.

2 Duke vs 1 Kansas, 4:05 PM, CBS, Omaha, NE

Duke enters this game as a 3-point favorite over the top-seeded Jayhawks. Duke is looking for its 16th Final Four while KU is trying to get to its 15th. Duke’s last trip was in 2015, senior Grayson Allen’s freshman year, while Kansas hasn’t been since the miracle run of 2012.

Dumb Prediction: Duke brings its #2 offense and #9 defense to Omaha in what should be a quasi home game for Kansas challenge the Jayhawks. Duke also happens to be the best offensive rebounding team in the country, something that has really flummoxed Kansas all season. Duke will have a huge size advantage when Udoka Azubuike is out of the game; the key will be in Kansas can avoid turnovers, make crisp passes, and shoot Duke out of that zone. Duke 90, Kansas 83.