ANALYSIS: Miami's breakout season included a regular-season ACC title and Sweet 16 appearance, but it's difficult to see the Hurricanes going further. Battle-tested Houston has a suffocating defense that held Auburn to four second-half field goals and a 10-minute stretch without one. All-American Marcus Sasser is stull struggling with a groin injury, but the Cougars were fine without him in spurts. This Houston team could easily cut down the nets on championship Monday. Look for another second-half surge and cover.

ANALYSIS: This is rematch from the classic Final Four matchup two years ago, and both programs still have key players who were involved in that battle. But the roles have changed a bit, with UCLA front-running near the top 5 most of the season, while the Zags took a bit of a step back from their now-massive standards. But avoiding a No. 1 seed and the accompanying pressure is likely a good thing for Gonzaga, which appears to be peaking at the right time and showed resilience in its comeback against TCU. The Bruins are a bit banged up and the Bulldogs should take advantage and advance to the Elite Eight.

ANALYSIS: Baylor started slow against UC Santa Barbara, but an intense defensive effort that led to 14 forced turnovers allowed the Bears to pull away in the second half. Creighton edged out NC State despite losing the rebounding battle. But the Bluejays had 15 assists on 26 field goals and went 17-of-19 from the free-throw line. Even so, the battle-tested Bears should have the edge in defensive intensity and physicality over a Creighton club that historically falters amid higher stakes. Baylor is a value side Sunday.

ANALYSIS: The late-blooming Wildcats won five of seven down the stretch and appear to be getting better as the season wears on. They also have the best player on the floor in Oscar Tshiebwe, the reigning national Player of the Year. Providence has been stubborn and solid as usual, but a nine-game winning streak mid-season appears to be its peak. The Friars stumble into the NCAA Tournament with losses in four of their past five.

ANALYSIS: The erratic Hawkeyes have at times looked like a Final Four contender, while at others they are incapable of beating the cellar of the Big Ten, as evidenced by season-ending losses to Nebraska and Ohio State. Even so, Auburn has plummeted down the stretch with losses in seven of its past 10. Iowa's edge in firepower should be the difference against a Tigers club that struggles to find consistent offense.