Elite 8 Bracket: Predictions, Odds, Updated Schedule and More

Four No. 1 seeds appear in the Elite Eight bracket. 

The Kansas Jayhawks ran roughshod over the competition to this point as most expected, earning a dance with the No. 2 Villanova Wildcats in the South Region. The Oregon Ducks, perhaps the most underrated top seed in the bracket, did much of the same while screaming past the Duke Blue Devils and others to earn a shot at the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners.

Friday, the Virginia Cavaliers cruised past the Iowa State Cyclones in the Midwest Region, setting up a showdown with the sudden-Cinderella No. 10 Syracuse Orange. North Carolina out of the East Region laughed the Indiana Hoosiers out of the building, meaning the next round provides the Tar Heels with a major test against the No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

The short turnaround can leave bettors at a disadvantage against Las Vegas, so let's take a moment to break down the early available lines from oddsmakers and everything to know about the four weekend encounters. 

Elite Eight Schedule and Predictions 

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV	Pick ATS
March 26	No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 2 Oklahoma (-1)	6:09 p.m.	CBS	Oregon
March 26	No. 1 Kansas (-2) vs. No. 2 Villanova	8:49 p.m.	CBS	Villanova
March 27	No. 1 Virginia (-8) vs. No. 10 Syracuse	6:09 p.m.	TBS	Virginia
March 27	No. 1 North Carolina (-9.5) vs. No. 6 Notre Dame	8:49 p.m.	TBS	North Carolina

No. 1 Oregon vs. No 2 Oklahoma (-1)

A classic strength versus strength matchup will decided a trip to the Final Four. 

Like in other sports, Oregon boasts a high-octane attack capable of giving most any team fits. The Ducks used it to land second in ESPN's RPI rankings and 11th in adjusted offensive efficiency at KenPom.com.

The numbers have certainly transferred to tournament play, where the Ducks have scored 82 or more points in two out of their three games. Against Duke in the Sweet 16, the Blue Devils looked unathletic and gassed trying to keep up with a Ducks attack shooting 49 percent from the floor and 44 percent from deep while dishing 22 assists and winning the rebounding battle by 10 boards.

Oklahoma, on the other hand, landed sixth in RPI and 14th in adjusted offensive efficiency behind the efforts of potential lottery pick Buddy Hield, who averages 25.1 points per game. Oklahoma has hit the 82-point mark as many times as Oregon in the Big Dance, most recently letting off the gas in a 77-63 throttling of the Texas A&M Aggies.

Whereas the Oklahoma attack seems to mostly hinge on the contributions of one player, the Ducks get out and run with four players averaging 12 or more points.

And there's one factor many won't consider in what looks like an offensive-minded matchup: defense. Oklahoma makes a ton of threes, but Oregon hasn't allowed an opponent to shoot better than 31 percent from deep in the Big Dance yet.

Strong team play on both ends of the court and an attack few have figured out mean Oregon pulls away late.

Prediction: Oregon 86, Oklahoma 82

No. 1 Kansas (-2) vs. No. 2 Villanova

It's only right the No. 2 and No. 3 overall teams in KenPom.com's rankings collide with a berth in the Final Four swinging in the balance. 

Kansas boasts an adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency of ninth or better and the top spot in RPI. No wonder—the Jayhawks have dismantled the opposition by margins of 105-79, 73-61 and 79-63. Defense is nice, but the Jayhawks have four guys averaging 11 or more points, helping to total 82 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 42 percent from deep.

Villanova is sitting 11th or better in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. The Wildcats' streak looks just as impressive in victories of 86-56, 87-68 and 92-69 margins. They aren't far off with an average of 78 points on 48 percent shooting and 36 percent from deep.

Logic says Kansas rolls away with this one. Not only did the Jayhawks play an eighth-ranked strength of schedule compared to Villanova's 20th, but they also just bullied a Maryland Terrapins front line that looks like an NBA team, winning the rebounding battle 43-28.

But those numbers don't tell the whole story of this one, as Villanova might be college basketball's hottest—and most improved—team. CSNPhilly.com's Reuben Frank provided one angle:

The Wildcats have turned it on when it matters most. Villanova's average margin of victory this tournament? A stunning 24 points. Miami (Fla.) just shot a silly 53 percent from the floor and 59 percent from deep—and still lost 92-69 because Villanova countered with 63 and 67, respectively.

Not even Kansas can counter this onslaught. Look for the tournament's best team to keep rolling.

Prediction: Villanova 91, Kansas 86

Check out Bleacher Report's live updating bracket to track your picks along the road to the Final Four.

Stats and information courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified. Advanced metrics courtesy of ESPN.com and KenPom.com. Odds courtesy of Odds Shark.