1982, 2012, 1995, and 1984.
Prior to Saturday, those were the respective years of the most recent Elite Eight appearances for Oregon State, Baylor, Arkansas and Houston. But the long waits for those schools to reach their next Regional Final came to an end, following a full day of action from Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse.
In Saturday’s opening game, Oregon State became just the second 12-seed ever (joining Missouri in 2002) to reach the Elite Eight, as the Beavers outlasted Loyola-Chicago.
Led by 22 points from @_ethanthompson5, @BeaverMBB is headed to the #EliteEight for the first time since 1982! They defeat @RamblersMBB 65-58 to become just the second 12-seed EVER to reach a Regional Final! Ryan Radtke & Donny Marshall had the game's final call #GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/x2fr2CKIof
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 27, 2021
In the following game, Villanova was seemingly on their way to a 4th consecutive victory over a 1-seed in March Madness play, with a 7-point halftime lead over Baylor. But the Bears were not willing to cooperate.
Thanks to a dominant 2nd half, @BaylorMBB is headed to their first #EliteEight since 2012 after a 62-51 win over @NovaMBB. Davion Mitchell scored 14 points as the Bears outscored the Wildcats 39-21 following a 7-point halftime deficit. @kevinkugler & PJ Carlesimo had the call. pic.twitter.com/ikpwDcZwnB
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 27, 2021
Saturday’s best game of the day was waged between the Cinderella squad from Oral Roberts, the 15th-seed who took 3rd-seeded Arkansas down to the game’s final seconds.
🏀🚨HOG WILD!!!🏀🚨
(3) @RazorbackMBB erases a 12-point, 2nd half deficit to defeat (15) @ORUMBB, 72-70 to advance to the #EliteEight for the first time since 1995! Max Abmas missed a potential game-winning three at the buzzer, as Ryan Radtke & Donny Marshall had the call. pic.twitter.com/9CQyNPN5sB
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 28, 2021
Finally, Saturday’s action concluded with the Houston Cougars bringing back the glory days of the early 1980’s, as they cooled off a red-hot Syracuse team at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
🏀🚨HOUSTON, IT WAS NO PROBLEM!🏀🚨
Led by suffocating defense and a few "Phi Slama Jama" flashbacks, @UHCougarMBK pulled away from @Cuse_MBB for a 62-46 win to advance to the #EliteEight for the first time since 1984! @kevinkugler & PJ Carlesimo had the call #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/pS0QeCLHDb
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) March 28, 2021
On Monday, Arkansas will face Baylor, while Oregon State will battle Houston, as the first two spots in the 2021 Final Four will be up for grabs.