March Madness 2023 picks: Predicting every Elite Eight game winner

Tickets to the Final Four are on the line. Find out who will win each Elite Eight game in the latest March Madness picks.

The Sweet 16 is in the books and we’re set for a very interesting Elite Eight. Tickets to the Final Four will be punched over the next two days as March Madness begins to wind down.

Who will win each region?

Read on for predictions for each Elite Eight game below.

Elite Eight Predictions – East Region

(9) Florida Atlantic vs. (3) Kansas State

Very few would have pegged these teams as the last ones standing in an East Region loaded with national brands but their presence is fitting for this chaotic season. Florida Atlantic isn’t a Cinderella as they have won 34 games and proven their worth as an elite team but they will have their dreams shattered by the Wildcats.

The athleticism that Kansas State has is ridiculous and they have a rising star in Markquis Nowell, who set an NCAA Tournament record by dropping 19 assists in the Wildcats’ win over Michigan State on Thursday night. Nowell delivers another big performance on the Madison Square Garden stage to send Kansas State back to the Final Four for the first time in nearly 60 years.

Pick: Kansas State

Elite Eight Predictions – West Region

(4) Connecticut vs. (3) Gonzaga

This heavyweight fight features two programs that got to this point in very different ways. UCONN has dominated its opposition throughout the NCAA Tournament, including a 23-point rout of Arkansas on Thursday night, while Gonzaga has played tighter games and needed a late three from Julian Strawther to avoid a collapse against UCLA in the Sweet 16.

The fact the Bruins were without starting center Adem Bona helped Gonzaga, which saw Drew Timme explode for 36 points and 13 rebounds, but the Huskies’ deep front line should be able to slow him down. Add in the fact that UCONN has better guard play and all signs point to the Huskies staying hot.

Pick: Connecticut

Elite Eight Predictions – South Region

(6) Creighton vs. (5) San Diego State

This matchup will be a battle of styles between high-flying Creighton and rugged San Diego State. Brian Dutcher’s Aztecs used a tremendous defensive game plan to grind out a win over Alabama, the top overall seed in the field, but Creighton’s more diverse skill set will be a good counter to San Diego State’s physicality.

The Bluejays were a trendy Final Four pick in the preseason before a lull in late December sank them in the rankings. Everything is going right for Creighton now and the Bluejays realize their potential with a close victory over the Aztecs to reach the Final Four for the first time in program history.

Pick: Creighton

Elite Eight Predictions – Midwest Region

(5) Miami vs. (2) Texas

The Hurricanes deserve a ton of credit as the only team who made the Elite Eight a year ago to return to this stage of the tournament in 2023. Jim Larranaga’s team deserves a ton of credit for taking advantage of a wounded Houston team but taking down Texas will be a significant increase in difficulty.

The Longhorns are battle-tested from their run through the Big 12 gauntlet, a run that has prepared them well for the one-and-done nature of March Madness. This game will be close as Miami has proven to be a difficult out but Texas takes care of business to return to the Final Four for the first time in 20 years.

Pick: Texas