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2 unusual facts about Elite Eight


Elite Eight

Like "March Madness," the phrase "Elite Eight" originally referred to the Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship, the single-elimination high school basketball tournament run by the Illinois High School Association.

Mid-major

Since its Elite Eight appearance in 1999, it has successfully established itself as the closest thing to a major program in a mid-major conference, making the tournament field in every year since, even in years it failed to win the West Coast Conference tournament.



see also

Davidson Wildcats

With that victory, the Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight where they lost to the eventual champion Kansas Jayhawks 59–57, capping off an incredible run that saw the rise of Stephen Curry to national prominence.

Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball

Exposure from Gonzaga's Elite Eight run in the NCAA Tournament caused Monson to take a head coaching position at Minnesota, at which time Gonzaga assistant coach Mark Few became the head coach in the 1999–00 season.

Jeff Shulman

In 2006, Shulman appeared on Poker Superstars III finishing in the Elite Eight.

Joanne P. McCallie

While at Auburn, McCallie and the Tigers appeared in two national championship games and made an appearance in the NCAA Elite Eight.

Justin Gage

He was on the Tigers basketball team that reached the Elite Eight in the 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.

Terry Don Phillips

Under Phillips, the Cowboys basketball team continued their success under coach Eddie Sutton, reaching the NCAA Final Four in 1995 and the Elite Eight in 2000.