The road to the Division I boys quarterfinals has been paved with more routs than expected. Five of eight first-round games were decided by double-digits and ditto the round of 16. The most balanced field in many years still has a chance to live up to expectations with the elite eight ready to meet.

Here's a look at the combatants, who tangle on Wednesday (Feb. 24) at ASU's Wells Fargo Arena, on to Grand Canyon University for the semis on Friday (Feb. 26) and the finale Monday (Feb. 29) at Gila River Arena:

#1 Corona del Sol (15-8): The Aztecs got busy in the program's "one for the thumb" a (bid for a fifth successive title) on Saturday with a 78-58 win over Mountain Pointe. The usual suspects -- Alex Barcello, Saban Lee and Tyrell Henderson -- did the bulk of scoring with 65 of the 78 points. It's been a year of adjustment for Lee and Henderson evolving into top-tier scorers rather than complementary contributors. When the trio's abilities are in synch, the Aztecs are tough to beat. Corona has won seven games in a row and nine of its last 11. The Aztecs are 3-1 against the other quarterfinalists -- wins over Mountain View, Gilbert and Basha and a loss to Mesa. Quarterfinal opponent: Sunnyslope. The teams have not played this season.

#2 Mesa High (23-4): The Jackrabbits opened the tournament facing adversity with the loss of senior forward Darius Goudeau to a horrific knee injury in practice three days before its tourney opener. Goudeau tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus and is done for the season. What that's done is intensify Mesa's focus for the duration. It began with a demolition of Desert Ridge, 61-37, in the round of 16.  Picking up the slack for the loss of Goudeau's 18 points and eight rebounds a game were Colter Galante and the Hatch's -- Drew and Mark. They combined for 46 points in beating Desert Ridge. Mesa has won 10 of its last 12 games. The Jackrabbits are 4-1 against the other quarterfinalists  -- wins over Corona del Sol, Gilbert, Pinnacle and St. Mary's and a loss to Mountain View. Quarterfinal opponent: St. Mary's. The teams played in early January, Mesa prevailing 72-41.  

#3 Basha (22-6): The Bears lost their best player to a knee injury -- skyscraper Klay Stall -- for the season well before it started. Coach Mike Grothaus has effectively mixed and matched the deepest team of the tournament into a title contender nonetheless. Basha dismantled Boulder Creek, 68-45, to begin its tournament run. Basha has size, strength, some inside punch and perimeter threats. It takes a great effort to beat the Bears as most teams have discovered. Basha has won nine of its last 13 games. It's record against the other quarterfinalists is 2-2 -- wins over Mountain View and Gilbert and losses to Corona and St. Mary's. Quarterfinal opponent: Pinnacle. The teams have not played this season. 

#4 Gilbert (18-7): The Tigers rank as one of the hottest teams of late with 10 wins in their last 12 games. Seniors Chris Bowling and Jacob Nicolds have been difficult, if not impossible, to contain as Gilbert makes a play for its first title since 2003. Nicolds was lights-out with 38 points in the playoff opener, an escape from pesky Dobson, 74-65. Gilbert's record against the other quarterfinalists is 1-4 -- a win over Mountain View and losses to Corona, Sunnyslope, Basha and Mesa. Quarterfinal opponent: Mountain View. The teams met Jan. 5 with Gilbert prevailing, 65-52. Nicolds scored 25 that night, hitting from inside and outside. 

#5 Mesa Mountain View (17-8): The Toros have won nine straight games dating back to Jan. 18. They rely heavily on senior guard Tommy Kuhse, who averages 23 points a game and has saved the team on numerous occasions with huge scoring nights. Mountain View won its round of 16 game without Kuhse going wild. It brought a broad smile from coach Gary Ernst. It's likely with competition amping up  the Toros will need balance a time or two more as teams look to neutralize or prevent Kuhse from going off. Mountain View is 2-3 against the other quarterfinalists -- wins over Mesa and Pinnacle and losses to Basha, Gilbert and Corona.

#8 Sunnyslope (23-4): The Vikings shed the rust after a frigid first-quarter in its round of 16 game with Chandler. It was Sunnyslope's first game in 15 days. The Vikings trailed 19-9 after the first eight minutes. When the final buzzer sounded they were on the plus side of a 75-53 victory.  Multi-sport standout Dane Maggi, a 6-3 guard, is the offensive leader. In the paint it's often Chris Orozco, a 6-5 junior, that gets it done. The Vikings are very team-oriented and play good defense. Sunnyslope is 3-0 against quarterfinal teams -- wins over Gilbert, Pinnacle and St. Mary's. They Vikings have won nine of their last 11 and five in a row. 

#10 St. Mary's (17-11): The Knights have gained traction as a contender since the middle of January. After blasting Chaparral in the first round they took an overtime thriller from Mountain Ridge, (54-52), in the round of 16. Junior DeShawn Wilson, more a forward by trade, has manned the point and is a handful at a sturdy 6-6. Opponents also have to contend with 6-8 post KJ Hymes, who can shoot from outside. Senior guard Isaiah Wilson is a good defender and someone teams can't neglect.  St. Mary's is 2-2 against the rest of the elite eight - wins over Pinnacle and Basha and losses to Mesa and Sunnyslope. The Knights have won 11 of their last 12 games

#22 Pinnacle (12-15): The Pioneers entered the state tournament with the second-worst record in the field, won only four of 14 games from Jan. 1 to the start of postseason and are still three games under .500. They don't care. Pinnacle has dispatched #11 Desert Mountain and #6 Perry to get where it is and are a confident bunch. The Pioneers lost to Desert Mountain and Perry during the season. Senior forwards Nik Mains and AJ Elliot are averaging 13 and 12 points a game, respectlvely. Freshmen guards Spencer Rattler and Trent Brown are adding nearly seven points a game each. Pinnacle is 0-4 against the rest of the quarterfinal field -- losses to Sunnyslope, Mountain View, St. Mary's and Mesa.