March Madness: Ranking the remaining 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament

Bruins and Gators

6. UCLA (3 in the South)

First weekend results: Def. (14) Kent State 97-80, Def. (6) Cincinnati 79-67

Sweet 16 opponent: (2) Kentucky

With both teams winning their first games in the Big Dance, the tournament stars have aligned for two of the best programs in the country to face off in the Sweet 16. UCLA vs. Kentucky is a throw-down that everybody wants to see and it is unlikely to disappoint. Both teams had outstanding seasons and took care of very good teams in their second round games. Yet, this section is solely based on UCLA. Lonzo Ball and Co. are phenomenal offensively and have been getting better and better on the defensive end with each game.

As long as the Bruins stay focused on defense, they are a very tough team to beat. They can shoot the lights out and work the ball inside as well. The Bruins are 4-3 against the current Sweet 16, but it will be difficult for any of the four teams remaining in the South Region to make the Final Four. Nothing comes easy with that group.

5. Florida (4 in the East)

First weekend results: Def. (13) E. Tennessee State 80-65, Def. (5) Virginia 65-39

Sweet 16 opponent: (8) Wisconsin

Not many teams have started the tournament as well as Florida. In the first round, East Tennessee State was a mild upset threat that the Gators chomped early to get the victory. In the second round, Florida asserted their dominance in a big way. It was expected that the battle between Florida and Virginia would be low scoring, but very few predicted the rout that would ensue.

Florida held Virginia, who is already an offensively challenged team, to just 39 points as the Gators went on to win by 26 points. The Gators will get a hot Wisconsin team on Friday night in another game that will likely be dictated by defensive play. With Duke and Villanova out of contention to win the East, is Florida the favorite to make the Final Four? They just might be.