Good morning Bracket Busters!
The field continues to thin on Saturday as we saw the first two regional champions crowned. Technical malfunctions grabbed headlines in the South Region, and a pair of juggernauts took to the hardwoods in the West. I’ve accepted the fact that a participation trophy is as good as I can do this year, but the race is on for many to join the coveted Bracket Busters Hall of Champions.
Let’s run through the highlights from Saturday’s Elite 8 action!
The Highlights (and Heartbreaks) from Day 1 of the Elite 8
Fightin’ Illini Survive Buzzer Gate The surprise of the tournament, an Iowa Hawkeyes squad that hasn’t sniffed the Final Four in 39 years, jumped out to an early 10-point lead over Illinois. The momentum for Iowa was palpable…until it wasn’t. At about the 8-minute mark in the first half, the shot clock buzzer went off and never stopped. For 7 minutes, the ear-piercing noise became more annoying than a side bar conversation in a group text. Total delay: 11 minutes. Impact: Momentum shifted. While the Hawkeyes were able to keep it close thereafter, it gave Illinois a chance to regroup. The Eastern European all-stars would rise up slowly but surely, led by their Croatian twin towers, 7-foot-1 Tomislav Ivisic and his twin brother 7-foot-2 Zvonimir. Andrej Stojakovic, son of 3-time NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic, poured in 17 off the bench, and a late run by Illinois would end a 21-year drought for the boys from Champagne. The Fightin’ Illini are headed to the Final Four in Indianapolis after a 71-59 victory.
Wildcats Overcome Elite 8 Demons Since their run in 2001 when they lost to the Duke Blue Devils in the championship, Arizona has lost five straight times in the Elite 8 (tied for the second-longest skid ever in that round). Facing a record breaking sixth loss in a row, the Wildcats needed a big day from freshman and Arizona native Koa Peat. That’s exactly what they got. After a flawless offensive performance against Arkansas, the Cats put a damper on the nation’s most efficient offense Saturday night like a wet blanket on a campfire. The Boilermakers were held to their second lowest total of the year shooting an anemic 38% from the field. Peat, who was named the region’s Most Outstanding Player, helped Arizona shake off their demons and head to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years with a convincing 79-64 victory over Matt Painter’s Boilermakers.
Standings Update Through the First Half of the Elite 8 The see-saw podium continues to sway as Dan Vagle and Erich Achtmann take back the top spot in our Bracket Busters challenge with 136 points each. Karen falls to 3rd with 130 points. All are being chased by another Dan Vagle entry and the power-couple, Jason Boggs & Julie Spicer who are right behind them with 128 points each. Today’s action with Duke, UConn, and Michigan will surely shake it up again as we wrap up the Elite 8.
Blue List Reminder
On this Elite 8 Sunday, let’s be generous and put that cash in the offering plate. It’s time to get your name off the Blue List today. There’s only 12 people left that have to get me their entry fees which are due no later than Friday, April 3.
- Zelle – cdhen14@gmail.com or (317) 364-9130
Enjoy your Sunday and Let’s Go Blue Devils!
Chris H
Bracket Busters HQ