NCAA Basketball Tournament 2014: Predictions and Schedule for Saturday's Games
If the phenomenal action we've seen thus far in the 2014 NCAA tournament is any indication of what to expect in the Elite Eight, then basketball fans will surely be treated to a glorious feast.
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With only two games on the schedule on Saturday, the pressure is building to a crescendo heading into the Final Four.
The entire nation will be glued to the tube to watch Cinderella Dayton, a No. 11 seed, take on Florida, which received the No. 1 overall ranking heading into the tourney, in the early game on Saturday evening.
Then, following that interesting contest, No. 2 Wisconsin will battle No. 1 Arizona in what should be a fiercely-contested affair.
Here's a quick look at the schedule, followed by predictions for both contests.
| No. 11 Dayton vs. No. 1 Florida | 6:09 p.m. | TBS |
| No. 2 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Arizona | 8:49 p.m. | TBS |
No. 11 Dayton vs. No. 1 Florida
Everyone loves to see the underdog come out on top, but it's tough to envision Florida losing this contest.
That said, history shows it's possible, as Bryan Armen Graham of Sports Illustrated pointed out:
The Gators have had little trouble handling their business thus far. The way UCLA was dispatched on Thursday showed just how formidable this team is against top competition, and this team isn't satisfied by any means about reaching the Elite Eight.
"We set our goals to be here, to be this team that could use a lot of guys. But [in November], we never knew what would happen," Patric Young said, as Eamonn Brennan of ESPN relayed.
"It's been a process, it's been quite a journey, and it's been a great year. But we're not done."
The Gators feature a balanced offense and a stifling defense. Billy Donovan's squad doesn't have any real weaknesses, and the team has been able to overcome challenges all year long.
Dayton doesn't appear to be intimidated by the bright lights of tournament action, however, as clearly indicated by victories over Ohio State and Syracuse.
Jordan Sibert, Devin Oliver and Dyshawn Pierre have played brilliantly for the Flyers, and nobody should expect them to lay down against Florida.
The contest will likely be tightly contested throughout the first half, but Florida will pull ahead in the second as its superior rotation wears down Dayton's defenses.
Final Score: Florida wins, 69-58.
No. 2 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Arizona
It's almost a shame these two teams are meeting here in the Elite Eight. Both were among the best in the nation throughout the 2013-14 season, but one will be sent packing on Saturday night.
This will be a strength-versus-strength affair.
Arizona led the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency this season, according to KenPom.com, while Wisconsin was No. 4 in adjusted offensive efficiency.
Wisconsin impressively shut down Baylor's potent offensive attack on Thursday. A similarly dominant effort on defense against the Wildcats, combined with the Badgers' efficient offense, will lead to victory.
Arizona's offense hasn't been easy to stifle this season, however, and the Wildcats have scored at least 68 points in each of their three games thus far.
Then there's this, from ESPN's Numbers Never Lie:
This blend of offensive prowess and defensive genius will push Arizona past Wisconsin, sending the Wildcats into the Final Four for the first time since 2001.
Final Score: Arizona wins, 72-67.
