Tennessee’s Elite Eight Curse Could Eliminate 2 Teams for National Title
The Tennessee Volunteers and the Elite Eight Curse
And then there were four. However, this time, the Tennessee Volunteers are not making it to the Final Four. Despite coming closer than ever to achieving a new NCAA Tournament milestone, the Volunteers have yet to cut down the nets. While the Michigan Wolverines have advanced as the Midwest Regional champions, their success might not be a good sign for the rest of the college basketball landscape.
Over the past three years, every team that has beaten Rick Barnes’ Volunteers in the Elite Eight has gone on to lose in the national championship game. In the 2023-24 season, the Purdue Boilermakers fell to Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies, who claimed their second national title. Then, in the 2024-25 season, the Houston Cougars lost to Todd Golden’s Florida Gators in the final minutes. This pattern has raised questions about what it means for the rest of college basketball.
The Emerging Curse and Its Impact
So, what does this emerging “Tennessee Elite Eight Curse” mean for the rest of the tournament? Well, it seems that only two teams can realistically win the national championship now. It’s not Michigan, whose fate was sealed in the title bout. Nor is it the Arizona Wildcats, who are expected to lose in the Final Four to Michigan in this prophecy. Instead, the likely contenders are Illinois or UConn.
Illinois is currently listed as a slight 2.5-point favorite over UConn on FanDuel, which might give them an edge. The budding curse surrounding the Volunteers could be giving both Illinois and UConn a significant advantage. While this may seem like pure coincidence, if it happens a third time, it becomes more than just a fluke. Whether it’s sheer luck or something more sinister, the basketball gods seem to be favoring Illinois and UConn.
Why Illinois and UConn Could Be the Favorites
The reason for this shift in favor might be due to the way everyone is focusing on the other Final Four matchup between Arizona and Michigan. This could be the de facto national title game, but the winner of that contest might be thoroughly exhausted. On the other side of the bracket, a national semifinals win for either Illinois or UConn could be far less taxing.
This dynamic creates an opportunity for either Illinois or UConn to capitalize on any fatigue from their opponents. The latest national title odds reflect this potential. Michigan is currently the favorite at +155, while Arizona follows closely at +170. Illinois is further back at +420, and UConn is at +650, which is still a respectable number.
The Potential Outcome
If the Tennessee Elite Eight Curse continues to hold true, it’s possible that Illinois will defeat rival Michigan in the final. This would create a compelling storyline, with the Volunteers’ history playing a role in shaping the outcome of the championship.
It’s important to note that game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and needs help, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
