2024 NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game times, TV schedule announced for Sunday slate
There are now just eight teams remaining in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Friday night marked the second round of Sweet Sixteen matchups, and the full TV schedule has been announced for the Elite Eight.
The early round of games got off to interesting starts with the makings for upsets, but only one held on. No. 11 seed NC State rode a hot start to a victory over No. 2 seed Marquette to make its first Elite Eight since 1986. Then, another stunner followed in the late window as Duke knocked off No. 1 seed Houston. Now, the game times have been released for Sunday’s Regional finals, one day after the Saturday slate came out. (All times Eastern)
2024 NCAA Tournament: Midwest Region
1. Purdue vs. 2. Tennessee – March 31, 2:20 p.m. ET, CBS
South Region
11. NC State vs. 4. Duke – March 31, 5:05 p.m. ET, CBS
Recapping Friday’s Sweet Sixteen games
The story of Thursday night’s slate was the upsets. Friday night picked up right where things left off.
NC State held a 37-24 lead over Marquette at halftime in the South regional semifinal, and the Wolfpack kept the Golden Eagles at bay after the break en route to the 67-58 upset victory. It means NCSU is heading to the Elite Eight for the first time since the late Jim Valvano was in charge. And for DJ Burns, it means his rising star will continue on that trajectory.
In the other game in the early window, Gonzaga held a lead over Purdue in the first half before the Boilermakers rallied back. Some foul trouble eventually doomed the Bulldogs, though, and they saw their season end in an 80-68 loss as Purdue returned to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019.
The second set of games also delivered – and the second No. 1 seed fell in as many days.
Duke and Houston battled it out in the first half, but the Cougars got dealt a huge blow when Jamal Shead left with an ankle injury. Although he considered trying to play in the second half, he never saw the court as the Blue Devils went on to knock off UH 54-51 and get back to the Elite Eight. That set up an All-ACC matchup with a spot in the Final Four on the line.
The other nightcap looked like it was going to get dicey, too, as Creighton countered an 18-0 Tennessee run by closing the gap significantly down the stretch. Ultimately, though, the Vols held on and advanced to their second-ever Elite Eight.
Saturday’s schedule of Elite Eight games
East Region
1. UConn vs. 3. Illinois – March 30, 6:09 p.m., TBS/TruTV
West Region
4. Alabama vs. No. 6 Clemson – March 30, approx. 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS/TruTV