March Madness: Ranking the 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament field

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: The Villanova Wildcats celebrate with the championship trophy after their overtime win over the Providence Friars during the championship game of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 15: Sestina /

60. Pennsylvania Quakers

No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region, 23-8 (12-2 Ivy)

It might be bit surprising to see Pennsylvania land on the No. 16 line. Even though the Ivy League definitely had a down season, their automatic bid is typically a higher seed. Penn is the second-best team in the country when it comes to defending the 3-point line. On the season, opponents are shooting just 28.9% of their shots from deep. Considering the Quakers’ first-round matchup is the long and athletic Kansas Jayhawks, this 3-point defense likely won’t cause too much trouble. Two sophomores lead the way for Penn in the form of Ryan Betley (14.4 points) and A.J. Brodeur (13.0 points).

59. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

No. 14 seed in the East Region, 28-6 (14-4 Southland)

Hey, remember the last time Stephen F. Austin was a No. 14 seed? I can tell you one thing: West Virginia and Notre Dame sure remember. Even though Thomas Walkup is not strolling through that door for the Big Dance, the Lumberjacks have a balanced roster led by three double-digit scorers per game in Shannon Bogues (15.4 points), Kevon Harris (14.6 points), and T.J. Holyfield (13.0 points). The first-round opponent for SFA will be Texas Tech as the program looks to upset yet another Big 12 foe.

58. Wright State Raiders

No. 14 seed in the South Region, 25-9 (14-4 Horizon)

For a No. 14 seed, Wright State has a tremendous defense. They rank 27th in the nation in points allowed per game (65.7) and hold the 53rd-best defense according to KenPom’s efficiency ratings. The Raiders made fairly quick work of their opponents in their conference tournament. Tennessee, their first opponent, did not suffer a bad loss all season long, so things are not looking up for the Raiders. However, the Volunteers did go 3-3 in games where they held under 65 points. Senior Grant Benzinger (14.6 points) is looking to go out with a bang while freshman Loudon Love (12.9 points, 9.8 rebounds) is just getting things started inside.

57. Bucknell Bison

No. 14 seed in the Midwest Region, 25-9 (16-2 Patriot)

Zach Thomas is a matchup nightmare. At 6’7″ and 228 pounds, the senior is very difficult to stop when he gets it going. He can score from anywhere on the floor (37.3% from three) and puts up 20.3 points per game. In addition, his 9.2 rebounds per game lead the team. He is the engine that drives this team but fellow seniors Nana Foulland and Stephen Brown are worth mentioning. While the Bison will have their hands full against the ridiculously athletic Michigan State Spartans, the Bison has what it takes to get hot and reach the second round.

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