Elite Eight Will Have Zero No. 1 Seeds for the First Time Ever
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Purdue, Kansas, Alabama and Houston have all been bounced early.
The 2023 men’s NCAA tournament has already etched its name into history as one of the most chaotic tournaments in recent memory.
With No. 5 seed Miami upsetting No. 1 seed Houston in the Sweet 16 and No. 1 Alabama falling to No. 5 San Diego State, all No. 1 seeds were officially eliminated from the Big Dance.
This year’s tournament will mark the first time that a No. 1 seed will not play in the Elite Eight in tournament history. Hurricanes guard Nijel Pack led Miami with 26 points while three others players notched double figure point totals to earn the 89–75 upset against the Cougars earlier Friday evening.
The Crimson Tide, meanwhile, led by nine points with more than 12 minutes to play in their Friday matchup. However, No. 5 seed San Diego State charged back with a 12–0 run to take the lead and never took its foot off the gas. The Aztecs became the first Mountain West team in history to earn a spot in the Elite Eight after the league was previously 0-6 in the Sweet 16.
Arkansas knocked off defending champs Kansas, 72-71, in the round of 32 while No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson stunned Purdue, 63–58, in the first round, becoming the the second No. 16 seed to knock off a top seed along with UMBC, who defeated Virginia in the first round of the 2018 tournament.
San Diego State will play the winner between No. 6 seed Creighton or No. seed 15 Princeton matchup on Sunday while Miami will face No. 2 seed Texas or No. 3 seed Xavier with a trip to the Final Four on the line.