Creighton's Elite Eight loss continues odd 2023 NCAA Tournament trends

Creighton basketball Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Creighton's Elite Eight loss continues unusual 2023 NCAA Tournament trends

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/26/23

This year's NCAA Tournament has been unusual, to say the least. With upsets galore, the upcoming Final Four will have a different look than that to which we are accustomed.

During Sunday's Elite Eight action, No. 5 San Diego State topped No. 6 Creighton, continuing the parity trend that has dominated this year's tournament.

With Creighton now eliminated, for only the third time ever, the Final Four will not feature any top-10 team from the Associated Press men's preseason poll. That preseason poll was established in 1961.

Creighton's loss means none of the top 10 in the AP men's preseason poll will make this year's Final Four.

That's only the third time that's happened since the poll was introduced in 1961 pic.twitter.com/1ChNn0MY7V
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 26, 2023

Running through the wreckage, half of the teams in the preseason top-ten failed to escape the second round of this year's tournament, while top-ranked North Carolina missed the tournament entirely. Defending champ and No. 1 seed Kansas, No. 6 Kentucky, No. 3 Baylor and No. 5 Duke saw their seasons end in the Round of 32.

No. 1 Houston, No. 2 UCLA and No. 8 Arkansas all fell in the Sweet 16, while No. 3 Gonzaga lost in the Elite Eight to No. 4 UConn.

Creighton's brutal loss in the Elite Eight didn't come without controversy. Tied at 56-56 with San Diego State, officials made a questionable foul which allowed Darrion Trammel to hit the winning free throw with 1.2 seconds remaining in regulation.

Following San Diego State's win on Sunday, three spots are full for the Final Four. The No. 5 Aztecs will take on No. 9 Florida Atlantic, while No. 4 UConn awaits the winner of No. 5 Miami vs. No. 2 Texas.

On Friday, Houston and Alabama saw their seasons end, ensuring the first Elite Eight in tournament history without a No. 1 seed.

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