Elite Eight action delivered unexpected drama, including Cameron Boozer's swollen eye treated with a soda can and Charlie May earning the game ball for Michigan. Duke's Bennett Stritz logged a tournament-high 160 minutes, while Iowa-Illinois featured five Kansas City natives. The Elite Eight saw physicality peak in the UConn-Duke game, where Duke's Boozer suffered an elbow injury requiring unconventional ice treatment.

Michigan's Charlie May, a walk-on senior, made a game-winning three-pointer after limited playing time. Iowa's Bennett Stritz dominated with 18.3 points and zero turnovers in 160 minutes of action. The Iowa-Illinois matchup became a Kansas City showcase with five Hawkeyes and one Illini hailing from the area, including former AAU teammates Tavion Banks and Isaia Howard.

Iowa's Alvaro Folgueiras scored on a baseball pass after Nebraska left a player on the court during a crucial possession.