Elite 8 2017: Latest Odds, Picks for Final Four Matchups

Gonzaga and Oregon are the first two programs on the Final Four dance floor. 

Sunday's games will look to match the hype of the bracket thus far while sending two more teams to the April 1 showdown. 

Fresh faces and storylines already abound given the presence of the Bulldogs and the Ducks. Interestingly enough, the old guard will advance out of Sunday's late matchup, while the earlier encounter could produce one of the most interesting Cinderellas in a long time.

Here's a look at the bracket:

No matter what happens Sunday, the Final Four is already loaded with talent capable of winning a title. 

Gonzaga shook off a couple of shaky performances to blow away 11th-seeded Xavier, 83-59, shooting 47.5 percent from the floor (29 of 61) and 50 percent from deep (12 of 24) while paced by Nigel Williams-Goss' 23 points. The team ranked first in adjusted defensive efficiency at KenPom.com held Xavier to 35.5 percent shooting and a 2-of-16 mark from deep.

Oregon, no stranger to close games this year, opened up a lead on top-seeded Kansas and ran away with the Final Four berth, 74-60. As usual, Tyler Dorsey and Dillon Brooks led the way for the Ducks, scoring 27 and 17, respectively, as the team shot 50.9 percent (29 of 57) overall.

Though the two winners sit on the opposite side of the Final Four, it's hard not to wonder what would happen if Gonzaga's defense met Oregon's breakneck attack. 

The rest of the Elite Eight, of course, will have something to say on the matter:

Matchup (Odds)	Date	Time (ET)	Television
No. 4 Florida (-3.5) vs. No. 7 South Carolina	Sunday, March 26	2:20 p.m.	CBS
No. 1 North Carolina (-2.5) vs. No. 2 Kentucky	Sunday, March 26	5:05 p.m.	CBS

The clash between fourth-seeded Florida and seventh-seeded South Carolina is much more than a nod to the strides the SEC continues to make—it's a gritty affair that produced a split during the regular season.

South Carolina (RPI 43 in ESPN.com's rankings) ranks second behind only Gonzaga in adjusted defensive efficiency rankings at KenPom and has Sindarius Thornwell leading the way. He's scored at least 24 points in every game so far, from knocking off second-seeded Duke to blowing away third-seeded Baylor, 70-50.

Thornwell hasn't shied away from talking about the Gamecocks' strength, as captured by STATS LLC (via CBSSports.com):

"

We pride ourselves on our defense. We know that's our bread and butter and we know we have a good defense and we go out and guard. We know it's a 40-minute game, and we know teams are going to make runs, but we can't take our foot off the pedal, we got to keep the pressure on and keep guarding.

"

But Florida also ranking in the top five when it comes to adjusted defensive efficiency rankings at KenPom has this feeling almost like an SEC football game. The Gators have more of a well-rounded attack, hence KeVaughn Allen dropping 35 points in an 84-83 escape of eighth-seeded Wisconsin despite averaging 14.1 points during the regular season.

The other Elite Eight encounter looks like more of a track meet considering top-seeded North Carolina and second-seeded Kentucky both rank among the top 12 in adjusted offensive efficiency at KenPom.

The Tar Heels (RPI No. 5) hit full stride last time out, breezing past fourth-seeded Butler, 92-80, while Joel Berry II finally looked healthy for the first time in the bracket. He scored 26, and Justin Jackson added 24.

Kentucky (RPI No. 4) won't be as intimidated by North Carolina's size and speed combination, but the Wildcats have seemingly taken a similar iffy path through the tournament, beating 10th-seeded Wichita State by all of three points before taking a 86-75 win against third-seeded UCLA.

In the Sweet 16, freshman De'Aaron Fox dropped 39 points while besting Lonzo Ball, and the Wildcats defense forced 13 turnovers.

When it comes to making picks for the Final Four matchups, it makes the most sense to split down the middle with Las Vegas.

Oddsmakers don't seem in love with the idea of South Carolina, but it's reasonable enough to expect the Cinderella to keep right on dancing thanks to the elite defense. Florida coming out of an overtime classic gassed against an opponent that has beat it before has disaster written all over it.

The favorite is the stronger play in the other. It doesn't look like North Carolina has an equal in the bracket when Berry is healthy and orchestrating the offense via cutting into the lane.

Keep in mind the experience factor. The Tar Heels are one of the only teams in the nation with the NBA-ready talent to match the Wildcats in the size and speed department, but they also have many players who have performed on a stage like this in the past. 

Look for South and North Carolina to advance on Sunday. The Cinderella sports suffocating defense, and the usual, experienced suspects are hitting stride at the right time. 

Prediction: South Carolina, North Carolina advance to Final Four

Advanced metrics courtesy of ESPN.com. Odds via OddsShark.com.