The Road to Indianapolis: Who Will Win Today's Elite Eight Matchups?

And then there were eight.

In what has been one of the most exciting NCAA Tournaments in recent history, the field is now down to the Elite Eight.

After more surprises in the Sweet 16, including another No. 1 seed going down, the Elite Eight promises to have more drama on the road to Indianapolis.

There should be some interesting games over the next two days, as teams are only one win away from college basketball's ultimate goal of reaching the Final Four.

Action tips off today as Kansas State takes on Butler and Kentucky battles West Virginia.

Here is a breakdown of today's games.

No. 2 Kansas St. vs. No. 5 Butler

The Butler Bulldogs are one win away from returning home to Indianapolis for the Final Four. To get there, they will have to get by a Kansas State team that is riding high after a thrilling double overtime victory over Xavier on Friday.

Breakdown:

If the Bulldogs hope to reach the Final Four, they will have to play like they did in the win over Syracuse. For Kansas State, they will need to ride the momentum from two days ago.

Kansas State has arguably the most gifted backcourt in America. Senior Denis Clemente was spectacular against Xavier in the second half, as junior Jacob Pullen battled foul trouble throughout.

The Bulldogs are led by their three-headed monster of Gordon Hayward, Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack. All three will have to show up in a big way to hang with the Wildcats.

Key Matchup: Matt Howard vs. Curtis Kelly

If Butler has any hope of hanging around in this one, they will have to win the battle in the paint. To do that, lone big man Matt Howard will have to stay on the court and must contain the big men of Kansas State—particularly Curtis Kelly.

Howard can be a force down low, and will need to show up for 40 minutes to withstand the depth of Kansas State. The Wildcats and Bulldogs know what they are going to get from their solid guard combinations, so the inside game will be key to victory.

Outcome

In the end, Kansas State just has too much size and athleticism for Butler. Pullen and Clemente will be too much for Butler to handle. The Bulldogs' magical run will come to an end tonight.

Final Score: Kansas St. 74-Butler 56

No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 2 West Virginia

In the only chalk bracket remaining, Kentucky will take on West Virginia in the marquee matchup of the Elite Eight. Any game pitting John Calipari against Bob Huggins should be interesting to watch, and this one will be no different.

Breakdown:

With two of the more talented and athletic teams in the tournament, this is the game to watch in the Elite Eight. Both teams have guys who can get up and down the court.

Kentucky is led by do-it-all guard John Wall and big men Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins. With the possibility of five lottery picks in this year's draft, Kentucky is the most talented team left in the Big Dance.  

West Virginia counters with superstar Da'Sean Butler and length at every position. The injury to point guard Darryl Bryant will hurt West Virginia in this one more so than it did against Washington. Junior Joe Mazzulla will need to stay out of foul trouble for the Mountaineers.

Key matchup: Joe Mazzulla vs. Eric Bledsoe

For West Virginia to pull off the upset, Joe Mazzulla has to play, and play well. He will more than likely be matched up against another of Kentucky's freshman phenoms, Eric Bledsoe.

Bledsoe is a shooter who can also take it to the rim on anybody. Mazzulla is one of the best on-ball defenders in the country and is physical for somebody with as small a frame as him.

When he isn't guarding Bledsoe, he will have the opportunity to go against the talent of John Wall. For West Virginia to stay in this one, Mazzulla will need to stay on the court and contain the Kentucky backcourt.

Outcome

The absence of Darryl Bryant will be the difference in this one. Kentucky is just too talented across the board. West Virginia will hang tough due to their length and rebounding. Kentucky may initially struggle to solve West Virginia's defense, but in the end the Big Blue just have too much.

Final Score: Kentucky 65-West Virginia 61