Busting Brackets
Fansided

2017 NCAA Tournament: Ranking the entire field of 68

By Lukas Harkins

Mar 9, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) and guard Jalen Brunson (1) celebrate after Villanova Wildcats guard Donte DiVincenzo (10) scored against St. John's Red Storm during second half of Big East Conference Tournament Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden. Villanova Wildcats defeated St. John's Red Storm 108-67.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) and guard Jalen Brunson (1) celebrate after Villanova Wildcats guard Donte DiVincenzo (10) scored against St. John's Red Storm during second half of Big East Conference Tournament Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden. Villanova Wildcats defeated St. John's Red Storm 108-67.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 18
Next
Mar 11, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; UC Davis Aggies players celebrate beating UC Irvine Anteaters in the finals of the Big West Conference Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; UC Davis Aggies players celebrate beating UC Irvine Anteaters in the finals of the Big West Conference Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams ranked 68 to 65

68. Mount St Mary’s Mountaineers

Record: 19-15 (14-4 Northeast)

Seed: 16 in the East

The major issue with Mount St Mary’s is their rebounding. In per game rebounding, the team is out-rebounded by an average of 7.35 boards per game. As a 16 seed in the play-in game, it is possible that the Mountaineers can get a win in the Big Dance but after that, they would have to face Villanova. Good luck there.

The Mountaineers enter the tournament on a four-game winning streak, as they look to continue that in the First Four. After starting the year 1-11, though, this team is on an incredible run that cannot be ignored.

67. New Orleans Privateers

Record: 20-11 (13-5 Southland)

Seed: 16 in the East

For the first time in over 20 years, the Privateers are back in the NCAA Tournament. Like Mount St. Mary’s above, New Orleans does a very nice job defending the three-point line. Opponents shoot just 31.0 percent from three against them, which ranks 21st on the defensive end. The team is led by Erik Thomas, who averages just under 20 points per game, but New Orleans is not a strong shooting team.

In fact, out of the 351 teams in Division I, the Privateers are ranked 298th at 32.2 percent. The good thing about them is that they know that shooting is not their strength. They rank 349th in three-pointers made and 348th in three-pointers attempted. With their opening game coming against Mount St Mary’s, it is possible for them to win one, but they are unlikely to be the first 16 seed to beat a one.

66. NC Central Eagles

Record: 25-8 (13-3 MEAC)

Seed: 16 in the Midwest

For the season, NC Central practically dominated the MEAC. However, they did close the regular season with two bad losses. Yet, they were able to secure the automatic bid from the conference by winning each of their three games by an average of 23.7 points. Across the nation, they rank 10th in the country in opponent field goal percentage.

On the offensive end, their struggles come from the free throw line. On the whole, they shot 68.1 percent from the line, which was 254th in the country. Although it seems unlikely that the Mountaineers could upset Kansas, they have a good chance to win a tournament game, as they open with a play-in game against UC Davis.

65. UC Davis Aggies

Record: 22-12 (11-5 Big West)

Seed: 16 in the Midwest

Yet another 16 in the First Four, UC Davis needed two huge wins to get in the tournament. In their semifinal game in the Big West, the Aggies went to overtime against CS Fullerton before taking on the tournament favorite UC Irvine. UC Davis took down the Anteaters by three points in the final to get their automatic bid. This is their first time receiving a bid.

UC Davis is one of the worst teams in the country in terms of taking care of the ball. They average 14.2 turnovers per game, which is 325th in the country. As long as they can play their usual great defense (94th scoring defense in the nation) and take care of the ball, they could win their opener against NC Central.

Home/March Madness