NCAA March Madness: Elite Eight Preview

After a wild weekend in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, we now have our final eight. The Elite Eight will kick-off tonight featuring Houston (2) vs. Oregon State (12), Baylor (1) vs. Arkansas (3), and tomorrow night between Gonzaga (1) vs. USC (6), and Michigan (1) vs. UCLA (11). 

Houston vs. Oregon State, tonight at 00:15 GMT

The defensiveness of these two teams should provide an exciting matchup that could go either way. The formula has been easy to follow all year for the Cougars: play hard, stop teams defensively, and get rebounds.

It has carried Houston within a win of the Final Four for the first time in decades. 

This will be the first time in a long time that two Midwest Region teams will battle for a spot in the tournament's final weekend.

“We know how good Oregon State is," commented Kelvin Sampson, head coach of Houston. “So we're going to have to play well. They're a lot more like us in that they get on the boards with athleticism and they play physically — should be a very good ballgame. We're looking forward to it.”

Oregon has the same defensive approach as do the Cougars and this game is very closely matched. 

bet365 Sports likes the Cougars' chances and has them as outright favorites at 1.29, while the Beavers are at 3.70.

Baylor vs. Arkansas, tonight at 2:57 GMT

The late-game tonight features two tournament favorites and although Baylor is the favorites, don't count out the Razorbacks just yet. Arkansas is back in the Elite 8 for a reason. They are very good and have proved that during their three NCAA Tournament games. Baylor is one of the best teams in the nation and should make it to the Final Four unless Arkansas is playing godly basketball. 

Arkansas is led by SEC Freshman of the Year Moses Moody. With leadership from senior forward Justin Smith. Both have been phenomenal, but, if the Hogs are to advance any further it will be a major team effort to overcome Baylor.

The odds in this game are in favor of Bears from Baylor at 1.27, while the Razorbacks roll in at 3.80. 

Tomorrow night you can catch the final two games that will decide the Final Four. 

The odds in this article at the bookmaker mentioned above were accurate on March 29 at 9:30 GMT.