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

There's little doubt that when teams make it to the Elite Eight, it means they have accomplished quite a bit throughout their season.

But the Elite Eight designation is quickly forgotten. Teams that lose in the regional finals have to be satisfied with their own season because the nation's basketball fans quickly turn their attention to the Final Four.

For teams like Kansas and North Carolina, winning the national championship is the thing. But even if they don't get the ultimate prize, a trip to the Final Four is at stake for all teams that have reached the Elite Eight, and that's a sizable prize.

Top-seeded Gonzaga (35-1) and 11th-seeded Xavier (24-13) will get things started Saturday in the West regional final at the SAP Center in San Jose.

The Bulldogs were pushed to the limit by West Virginia Thursday night before they pulled out a 61-58 victory, while Xavier mounted a tremendous end-of-game comeback to claim a 73-71 victory over second-seeded Arizona.

Gonzaga is once again trying to get to the Final Four for the first time in school history. The Bulldogs are eight-point favorites in the 6:09 p.m. ET start, according to OddsShark. 

While that point spread may seem a bit large considering Xavier's remarkable win over the Wildcats, it indicates just how strong Mark Few's team has been all season. Gonzaga was able to close out West Virginia by refusing to allow the Mountaineers to get off a shot that could have tied the game, and that air-tight defense has been part of Gonzaga's signature this season.

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV	Point Spread	Prediction
March 25	Xavier (11) vs. Gonzaga (1)	6:09 p.m.	TBS	Gonzaga (-8)	Xavier
March 25	Oregon (3) vs. Kansas (1)	8:49 p.m.	TBS	Kansas (-6.5)	Kansas
March 26	South Carolina (7) vs. Florida (4)	2:20 p.m.	CBS	--	Florida
March 26	Kentucky (2) vs. North Carolina (1)	5:05 p.m.	CBS	--	North Carolina

Gonzaga is allowing 61 points per game, and that ranks fifth in the nation. They combine that strong defensive play with maximum effort on the boards, as they rank sixth in that category with 40.4 rebounds per game. 

The Bulldogs are quite capable on offense, and they are led by guard Nigel Williams-Goss, who is averaging a team-high 16.5 points per game and connecting on 49.6 percent of his shots from the field. Big man Przemek Karnowski is averaging 12.4 points per game and connecting on 60.2 percent of his shots.

Jordan Matthews, Johnathan Williams and Zach Collins are all scoring in double-figures for the balanced Zags.

The Musketeers are also trying to get to their first Final Four, and they come in off the high of closing out Arizona with a 12-2 run which should result in maximum confidence Saturday night.

Additionally, Xavier played in the tough Big East throughout the season, and that pedigree gives the Musketeers a never-say-die persona.

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Trevon Bluiett is Xavier's go-to scorer, and he is averaging a team-high 18.7 points per night and contributing 5.6 rebounds per game. J.P. Macura is averaging 14.3 points per game and is capable of taking over at any time.

Macura can hit the three-point shot, but he can also go inside and draw contact while making game-changing plays. He also has quick hands that can force turnovers or lead directly to steals.

Sean O'Mara was huge off the bench in the win over the Wildcats. He scored eight points in that game on 4-of-5 shooting, and he scored the game-winning basket on a layup before coming down with the rebound on a crucial Arizona miss in the final minute.

Prediction:

One of these teams will get to the Final Four for the first time, and the pressure factor should be a bit higher for the Bulldogs since they are a No. 1 seed.

Look for this game to go back and forth throughout, but Xavier should have the best opportunity in the final minutes.

After coming through in such dramatic fashion Thursday, Bluiett and Macura simply will not be stopped and Bill Murray's favorite college basketball team—his son Luke is an assistant coach on Chris Mack's staff—will finish off Gonzaga.

Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

Oregon at Kansas

The Ducks (32-5) were pushed to the wall by the Michigan Wolverines Thursday night, and now they must face the hottest team in the nation Saturday night at 8:49 p.m. in Kansas City.

Kansas (31-4) is coming off back-to-back blowouts of Michigan State and Purdue, and the latter victory was the most impressive.

The Jayhawks found themselves down by eight points in the first half and then got serious in the final frame. They rolled to a 98-66 victory over the Boilermakers and made it clear that any team that is going to challenge them is going to have to play sensational basketball for the full 40 minutes. 

Freshman Josh Jackson is a remarkable talent who is able to hit the three-point shots and dominate on the inside. While his physical skills are obvious and he averaged 16.5 points per game while connecting on 51.5 percent of his shots, his work ethic may be the best part of his game.

Guard Frank Mason III is averaging 20.9 points per game to lead the Jayhawks and he is connecting on 48.2 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.

Oregon may have a tough assignment on its hands, but the Ducks are a versatile team with excellent balance. Forward Dillon Brooks is averaging 16.3 points per night to lead the team, and he is connecting on 50.1 percent of his shots from the field.

He gets help from explosive guard Tyler Dorsey, who is averaging 14.1 points per game and scored 20 points in the win over the Wolverines. Jordan Bell had 16 points against Michigan, and he is averaging 10.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Kansas is a 6.5-point favorite in this game, per OddsShark, and that's not a surprise considering how they have been blowing out opponents.

Prediction:

The Ducks are a good team playing well, while the Jayhawks are a great team that is peaking. Kansas looked unstoppable once they got going against Purdue, and while the margin may not be as great in this matchup, the Jayhawks should win this game by at least 10 points.