The last few spots in the Elite Eight will be decided on Friday night. Four spots in the regional finals are up for grabs as we reach the later stages of the NCAA tournament. The East and South regions will be on display as teams inch closer to the Final Four.
NCAA tournament 2017 TV schedule: Start times, channels for Friday
The Sweet 16 wraps up with an exciting slate of games
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
No. 4 Butler vs No. 1 North Carolina 7:09 p.m. ET, CBS
The North Carolina Tar Heels, arguably the favorite in the NCAA tournament, have almost reached Phoenix for the Final Four. The Butler Bulldogs stand in their way. The ACC regular season champions are the only team remaining representing a conference that has had a rough March. Unlike the others, they have looked as strong as ever, rolling over Texas Southern and Arkansas to make it this far. Butler easily dispatched Winthrop in its opening game, and fended off Middle Tennessee to make it this far. North Carolina, though, will be its first major challenge. They meet at the FedEx Forum in Memphis.
No. 7 South Carolina vs No. 3 Baylor 7:29 p.m. ET, TBS
After shocking everyone by taking down Duke in the second round, the South Carolina Gamecocks are flying high. The Baylor Bears, who held off an impressive USC team previously, hope to bring them back to earth Friday. With both Villanova and Duke eliminated, the Bears have as good a chance as anyone to earn the East region’s spot in the final four, but first have to get by a motivated Gamecocks squad at Madison Square Garden in New York.
No. 3 UCLA vs No. 2 Kentucky 9:39 p.m. ET, CBS
All eyes will be on this game Friday night, as two of the nation’s premier programs face off for a spot in the Elite Eight. Lonzo Ball has brought the UCLA Bruins back to the top with his insane passing skills and Curry-esque shooting (don’t tell LaVar I said that). Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox and the Kentucky Wildcats, who are coming off a wild win against Wichita State, stand in his way, though. The game will also be played in Memphis, and the winner will meet Butler or North Carolina
No. 8 Wisconsin vs No. 4 Florida 9:59 p.m. ET, TBS
The night comes to a close back at Madison Square Garden. The Wisconsin Badgers pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament last weekend when they knocked off top-seeded Villanova, and they are now a threat in a wide-open East region. The Florida Gators put together a defensive masterpiece against Virginia in the second round, allowing only 39 points in an impressive win of their own. The winner will play either Baylor or South Carolina.
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