As a fan of March Madness, I was glued to my TV screen on Saturday for the Elite Eight games. There were incredible upsets and nail-biting finishes that left me on the edge of my seat. Some teams showed their resilience while others just couldn’t keep up with their opponents. In this article, I will highlight the best and worst moments and performances from Saturday’s games. Get ready to relive the excitement and disappointment of the Elite Eight.
March Madness 2021: Best and Worst from Saturday’s Elite Eight Games
The NCAA tournament madness continues, and Saturday’s Elite Eight games did not disappoint. We witnessed intense matchups between top-ranked teams, unexpected upsets, and outstanding performances from players on both sides. Here are some of the best and worst moments from Saturday’s games.
Best: Baylor dominates Arkansas
The Baylor Bears proved that they are a force to be reckoned with as they dominated the Arkansas Razorbacks, winning with a final score of 81-72. The Bears’ Jared Butler was a standout player, with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. But it was Davion Mitchell who stole the show, scoring 12 consecutive points in the second half and finishing with a game-high 25 points.
Baylor’s defense was also exceptional, as they made it difficult for Arkansas to score. The Razorbacks had a tough time getting past Baylor’s defense, shooting only 45.9% from the field and 31.6% from beyond the arc.
The Bears’ dominant win on Saturday solidified their position as one of the top teams in the nation and a strong contender for the championship.
Worst: Houston’s struggles against Oregon State
Despite being the favorite to win, the Houston Cougars struggled in their matchup against the Oregon State Beavers. The Cougars were unable to find their rhythm and missed many shots throughout the game. They shot only 29% from the field and 21.4% from 3-point range.
Oregon State’s defense played a significant role in their victory, disrupting Houston’s offense and forcing them into turnovers. The Beavers’ Ethan Thompson was also impressive, leading the team with 26 points and helping them secure a spot in the Final Four.
It was a disappointing loss for Houston, who was expected to go far in the tournament. However, they can take solace in the fact that they had a successful season overall and were one of the top teams in the AAC.
Best: UCLA upsets Michigan
One of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far came as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Michigan Wolverines in a thrilling game that went into overtime. The Bruins, who were considered the underdogs in the matchup, played with a lot of heart and resilience.
UCLA’s Johnny Juzang played a key role in their victory, scoring a game-high 28 points and making several clutch shots down the stretch. The Bruins’ defense was also impressive, as they held Michigan to only 40.7% shooting from the field and 27.8% shooting from beyond the arc.
The win was a significant one for UCLA, who were the last team to make it into the tournament field. They have now secured a spot in the Final Four for the first time since 2008 and will look to continue their Cinderella run through the rest of the tournament.
Worst: Gonzaga’s slow start against USC
The Gonzaga Bulldogs may have won their game against the USC Trojans with a final score of 85-66, but it was not their most impressive performance. The Bulldogs got off to a slow start in the first half, allowing USC to hang around and stay within reach.
However, Gonzaga picked up the pace in the second half and dominated on both ends of the court. Their offense was especially impressive, with four players scoring in double figures. Jalen Suggs was a standout player, scoring 18 points and making several clutch shots.
Despite their sluggish start, Gonzaga’s victory was a reminder that they are still one of the best teams in the nation and a strong contender for the championship.
Best: The Baylor vs. Houston matchup in the Final Four
One of the most highly anticipated matchups in the Final Four will be between the Baylor Bears and Houston Cougars. Both teams have had strong performances throughout the tournament and will be looking to advance to the championship game.
The game will be a battle between two of the best defensive teams in the tournament. Baylor’s defense has been exceptional all season, holding opponents to an average of 64.2 points per game. Houston’s defense has also been impressive, holding opponents to only 57.6 points per game.
The matchup will also feature two of the best guards in the nation, Baylor’s Jared Butler and Houston’s Quentin Grimes. Both players have had outstanding seasons and will be looking to lead their respective teams to victory.
Overall, the Baylor vs. Houston matchup has all the makings of a classic March Madness showdown and is sure to be one of the most exciting games of the tournament.
Conclusion
Saturday’s Elite Eight games were full of surprises, upsets, and standout performances. Baylor’s dominant win over Arkansas, UCLA’s upset over Michigan, and Gonzaga’s victory over USC were all memorable moments. Meanwhile, Houston’s struggles against Oregon State and Gonzaga’s slow start were disappointing. As the Final Four approaches, all eyes will be on the matchup between Baylor and Houston as two of the best teams in the nation face off. The madness continues, and anything can happen.
