2026 Elite Eight - Saturday

[Jaydumo20]

Purdue just playing harder and tougher physically and mentally. UConn needs to do the same tomorrow.

Yeah. Braden Smith is playing like he's been ripping rails of blow on the bench.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I like Braden Smith. When his crew takes a break from churning butter, he must absolutely wreck these Amish pickup runs.

 

[aceboon]

Arizona all out of sorts

 

[Tenspro2002]

There will be a lot of Illinois fans in Indianapolis.

Illinois, possibly Michigan, possibly Purdue. It's gonna be 2 road games for us or Duke.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Arizona all out of sorts

Yeah they look sluggish and slow. I keep thinking about Lil Mack punching King Hippo in his gut and his shorts keep falling down.

 

[uconn_jack]

This is a better game than I expected. I always like seeing 1 seeds lose (except when we are), although it potentially being Purdue bothers me.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Illinois, possibly Michigan, possibly Purdue. It's gonna be 2 road games for us or Duke.

I don't know who it was in the threads but a bunch of people were talking about us possibly rooting for st johns is silly and that no orher conference would do that. BS! My in laws are all in Indiana, my best friends are big Ten freaks, they ALL root for every big ten team. As long as they aren't playing their team. I mean, big ten fans claim every big ten team as their own. (SEC too)... and it couldnt be more annoying, let me tell you. OSU fans were rooting for Michigan in the CFB championship a few years ago. I couldnt believe it

 

[gsmooth]

Arizona all out of sorts

Yeah they are. They trying to bull their way into the paint, but I think Burries and Bradley are going to have to knock down some 3s to loosen up Purdue's defense. There is no space for the roller on the PnR as the paint is clogged. I am surprised Dell' Orso isn't playing more because he is solid perimeter shooter. Getting the 3rd foul on Kaufman-Renn will be critical for Arizona.

 

[BugsyCT]

Nice to have Big Ten money. Good chance now they'll get 3 in Indy.

 

[DogMania]

Purdue is playing with a lot of confidence while Zona is showing their youth.

Zona has been playing with a lot of confidence and at a high level throughout the tournament season, but they seemed rushed down the stretch in that first half.

Purdue seems to be gaining confidence and their shots are falling.

Still a lot of time for Zona to turn the tables. If Purdue comes out of the half rolling, Zona might continue to unravel. Though the half time break often results in a reset.

 

[gsmooth]

This is a better game than I expected. I always like seeing 1 seeds lose (except when we are), although it potentially being Purdue bothers me.

Yeah, I was not expecting to see a competitive game. I really, really, really to infinity want to see UConn defeat Duke tomorrow. Not just because it would earn UConn a Final Four and I would be pleased for Tarris and Alex to leave with a Final Four banner, but I don't want Duke tying UConn for 6 titles. I thought it was inevitable Duke would do it last year until the slipped up against Houston.

 

[noelle]

let's see that rematch in the championship game. braden smith vs alex karaban.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I don't know who it was in the threads but a bunch of people were talking about us possibly rooting for st johns is silly and that no orher conference would do that. BS! My in laws are all in Indiana, my best friends are big Ten freaks, they ALL root for every big ten team. As long as they aren't playing their team. I mean, big ten fans claim every big ten team as their own. (SEC too)... and it couldnt be more annoying, let me tell you. OSU fans were rooting for Michigan in the CFB championship a few years ago. I couldnt believe it

100%. If it's Illinois, Purdue, and Michigan, it will be a road game for the 4th team.

Not to mention that if it's us that get there, half of those teams are out for revenge. Purdue fans would love to see Illinois beat us. If we get to the championship game, both Purdue and Illinois fans would love to see us lose, whoever the opponent.

 

[Jaydumo20]

100%. If it's Illinois, Purdue, and Michigan, it will be a road game for the 4th team.

Not to mention that if it's us that get there, half of those teams are out for revenge. Purdue fans would love to see Illinois beat us. If we get to the championship game, both Purdue and Illinois fans would love to see us lose, whoever the opponent.

You nailed it

 

[caw]

Guarantee that it’s the 12th or 13th player. No skin off Dusty’s nose.
But if it were a star, he’d be complaining sbout tampering. (And reasonably so)

Looking at his team the last few years I would bet he was talking to agents to try and recruit other players in the first place.

 

[gsmooth]

Purdue is playing with a lot of confidence while Zona is showing their youth.

Zona has been playing with a lot of confidence and at a high level throughout the tournament season, but they seemed rushed down the stretch in that first half.

Purdue seems to be gaining confidence and their shots are falling.

Still a lot of time for Zona to turn the tables. If Purdue comes out of the half rolling, Zona might continue to unravel. Though the half time break often results in a reset.

That's the big key. Zona has won some close games this year so maybe that experience helps them if this game is close, but will expectations weigh heavy on them? Until this game, Arizona never trailed for 1 second in this NCAAT.

 

[RuffRuff]

Purdue is playing with a lot of confidence while Zona is showing their youth.

Zona has been playing with a lot of confidence and at a high level throughout the tournament season, but they seemed rushed down the stretch in that first half.

Purdue seems to be gaining confidence and their shots are falling.

Still a lot of time for Zona to turn the tables. If Purdue comes out of the half rolling, Zona might continue to unravel. Though the half time break often results in a reset.

Yup. I’m not surprised. Purdue is a veteran team with lots of tourney experience. Had a feeling they might be playing with their food a little during the regular season once UM had the reg season locked up. Purdue looks locked in.

 

[ConnMotors]

I really don’t want to see three Big 10 teams in the Final Four. I kind of like hearing the commentators on CBS say that that conference hadn’t won a national championship since 2000 or whenever it was that Michigan State last won.

 

[uconngb]

Yup. I’m not surprised. Purdue is a veteran team with lots of tourney experience. Had a feeling they might be playing with their food a little during the regular season once UM had the reg season locked up. Purdue looks locked in.

……and he comes back to his first love

Until AZ comes back and wins

 

[JakeTheDog]

\

A bunch of giant euros that can shoot. They didn't have one on that team.

We played and beat Illinois this season. No one is talking about what happened in the 2024 tournament.

 

[Jaydumo20]

I really don’t want to see three Big 10 teams on the Final Four. I kind of like hearing the commentators on CBS say that that conference hadn’t won a national championship since 2000 or whenever it was that Michigan State last won.

I used to hate the big ten- but it's not even a real conference anymore. I find it hilarious that people in Indiana have to share conference pride with.....california. haaaaa.
It's like if America and France merged countries.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I know this is factually true, because I have a decent recollection of Final Four participants, but it is mindblowing that Arizona is considered like a second tier Blue Blood, among the Louisville/MSU/Villanova class, despite not having made a Final Four in 25 years!

 

[Jaydumo20]

If they didnt call a foul there even I'd get a T

 

[BigTenFan]

I used to hate the big ten- but it's not even a real conference anymore. I find it hilarious that people in Indiana have to share conference pride with.....california. haaaaa.
It's like if America and France merged countries.

You do realize Mullins is from Indiana.....

 

[Mr. French]

Koa is hooping but man Purdue is just playing better and harder overall

 

[Jaydumo20]

You do realize Mullins is from Indiana.....

My wife is from Indiana. I spend every holiday in farm country, and I love it. I'm clearly okay with it.

 

[TRest]

Purdue is extremely hard to like.

 

[TRest]

I know this is factually true, because I have a decent recollection of Final Four participants, but it is mindblowing that Arizona is considered like a second tier Blue Blood, among the Louisville/MSU/Villanova class, despite not having made a Final Four in 25 years!

They have been living off the fumes of lute Olsen forever.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Arizona getting a foul called every time down on offense. Purdue in trouble.

 

[Hurleyman216]

There’s zero chance Purdue pulls this out. Zona is so much more talented