For only the third time since 1979, no #1 seed will partake in the Final Four. The games are set for next Saturday: (8) Butler vs. (11) VCU in the early game, and (3) Connecticut vs. (4) Kentucky in the nightcap. Some wise guys are already dubbing it the “Cheaters” vs. the “Cinderellas.” Have fun with that.

How good was this Elite 8? Butler defeated Florida by two in overtime. Connecticut beat Arizona by two. VCU shocked Kansas by 10 in a game that felt much closer than that. And Kentucky defeated UNC by seven in what was a 1-point game in the final minute.

As some have pointed out, the combined ages of Butler coach Brad Stevens (34) and VCU coach Shaka Smart (33) is less than UConn coach Jim Calhoun (68). Calipari is taking his third program (Massachusetts, Memphis) to the Final Four, although the previous two have been vacated by the NCAA. VCU is just the third double-digit seed to reach the Final Four (LSU and Hot Plate Williams in 1986; George Mason in 2006).

If I had to guess, Butler would be a 2-point favorite against VCU, and Kentucky will be a 3-point favorite against Connecticut. My early picks, which likely will change before Saturday, are Butler vs. Connecticut for the title.