Michigan defeated Kansas 87-85 to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994 after a thrilling overtime period. Florida, despite starting the first half slow, was able to overcome this year’s Cinderella team in Florida Gulf Coast, 62-50.
And Michigan State failed to get the job done, as they fell to Duke Friday night, 71-61.
With the final three games of the Sweet Sixteen coming to a close Friday night, eight teams will play today and Sunday to earn a trip to Atlanta for the 2013 Final Four. The matchups are as follows:
No. 9 Wichita State vs. No. 2 Ohio State 3/30 7:05 pm EST
No. 4 Syracuse vs. No. 3 Marquette 3/30 4:30 pm EST
No. 4 Michigan vs. No. 3 Florida 3/31 2:20 pm EST
No. 2 Duke vs. No. 1 Louisville 3/31 5:05 pm EST
With the exception of Wichita State, no team is ranked below a fourth seed. Michigan is looking to make a run they haven’t seen in two decades, where Ohio State and Florida could be on a path to collide once more for a national title (the last being in 2007).
The Pit chose Indiana, Ohio State, Louisville and Florida to all make it to the Final Four, with the Gators winning it all over the Buckeyes in the title game. Indiana’s loss to Syracuse halted the perfect Final Four for The Pit, but has set up one of the most star studded series regardless.
As an amendment to The Pit’s predictions, Syracuse will win over Marquette today.
How have your brackets held up this far into the tournament? Have things gone as you expected them to? And what can be said of teams like Florida Gulf Coast, who have made some incredible plays in the tournament?
