March Madness is upon us. The 68 teams have been selected, seeded, and bracketed. Yet, just how good is each team relative to the rest of the field?
The NCAA Tournament is upon us. After months and months of waiting, we have finally arrived at the greatest part of the college basketball season. For millions of fans around the world, filling out brackets is an annual tradition that usually ends in red faces and shredded or crumpled pieces of paper. Of course, it could also in triumph and a wad of cash being exchanged.
However, this event is about more than the fans. For every college basketball player in the country, this is the culmination of hours upon hours of hard work. It is the fulfillment of childhood dreams and an opportunity of a lifetime to compete in. After 351 teams spend the last several months battling it out on the hardwood, the field has been narrowed down to just 68.
In just a few weeks, a national champion will be crowned and we will have to wait another few months until the college basketball season gets back underway. For now, though, us fans can only celebrate the great play on the court as we root for our respective teams. Even if your favorite team is not competing in the Big Dance, at least you have your bracket to cheer for.
Now, with the bracket finally announced, let’s jump into my rankings of the entire field of 68. (All efficiency rankings are found on KenPom and all other statistics are from Sports-Reference.)
(These are, of course, my opinion and therefore will be disagreed with by just about anyone and everyone. But hey, that’s what makes it fun, right?)
68. North Carolina Central Eagles
No. 16 seed in the West Region, 18-15 (9-7 MEAC)
Coached by former star LeVelle Moton, the Eagles ran the table in the MEAC. Despite being the No. 6 in the conference tournament, the team won four games, including one over the conference favorite, to take the automatic bid for the conference. The overall season record is not impressive and it seems unlikely that this is a Cinderella team this year. Yet, why not have some hope. Junior big man Raasean Davis is a difficult matchup because of his size (6’8″, 270 lbs). He averaged 15.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during the regular season.
67. Texas Southern Tigers
No. 16 seed in the West Region, 15-19 (12-6 SWAC)
Despite going just 3-13 in a daunting non-conference schedule, Texas Southern played well in the SWAC. They held a 12-6 record heading into the conference tournament and ran away with back-to-back double-digit victories to snag the automatic bid. Even though the competition has not been the best in the land, the Tigers’ seven-game winning streak should not be ignored. Mike Davis’ team is led by senior guard Donte Clark (18.6 points, 5.3 rebounds) and 5’7″ sophomore Demontrae Jefferson (23.4 points).
66. LIU-Brooklyn Blackbirds
No. 16 in the East Region, 18-16 (10-8 NEC)
Led by a pair of juniors in Joel Hernandez (20.9 points) and Raiquan Clark (17.4 points, 7.1 rebounds), the Blackbirds were an underdog in the NEC Tournament. Yet, they churned through the bracket and snagged wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and Wagner along the way. This victory over Wagner is their only win in either Quadrant 1 or 2. The team has gone on winning streaks of three, four, and five at different points this season.
65. Radford Highlanders
No. 16 in the East Region, 22-12 (12-6 Big South)
While their adjusted defensive efficiency ranks near the middle of the nation (170th), Radford’s slow pace allows them to pose mismatches. If they can control the speed of the game, they have the ability to hang with good teams for longer than most would expect. The Highlanders ranked 14th in the nation in points allowed per game (64.4). Ed Polite Jr. is the leading scorer for the team, averaging 13.5 points in addition to his 7.7 rebounds per game.
64. UMBC Retrievers
No. 16 in the South Region, 24-10 (12-4 America East)
The America East was expected to deliver Vermont to the NCAA Tournament. The Catamounts had rolled through conference play and were staring down a No. 12-13 seed. Yet, the Retrievers came in and pulled off the upset in the AEC Tournament final on a buzzer-beating three. The team landed on the No. 16 line and they will face the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament in the Virginia Cavaliers in the first round. Senior Jairus Lyles (20.2 points) is the leader of the squad.
63. Cal State Fullerton Titans
No. 15 seed in the East Region, 20-11 (10-6 Big West)
Kyle Allman (19.4 points) leads the way for the Titans this season. Purdue, their first-round opponent, has shown signs of inconsistencies throughout the year but will likely have way too much firepower for Cal State Fullerton. The team played two teams that narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament this year in USC and St. Mary’s. This might show that they are battle-tested but these game in the first two games of the year and were lost by an average margin of 30.5 points.
62. Lipscomb Bisons
No. 15 seed in the West Region, 23-9 (10-4 Atlantic Sun)
Behind the play of Garrison Mathews (22.1 points) and Rob Marberry (16.0 points), the Bison have two guys who can go out and fill up the basket. In fact, the team ranks 21st in the country with 82.6 points per game. However, their adjusted offensive rating drops them into the bottom-half of the country. This is definitely a hard team to gauge and they will have their hands full with North Carolina in the first round.
61. Iona Gaels
No. 15 seed in the Midwest Region, 20-13 (11-7 MAAC)
Unlike several other mid-majors, Iona features a balanced offensive attack. While they do not have one “go-to” scorer, they do have five different players who score in double figures per game. The leading of this group of Rickey McGill at 13.5 points per game. Entering the Big Dance as a No. 15 seed, the Gaels will have their hands full with Duke in the first round. However, Duke has lost as a No. 2 seed before. They say history repeats itself but can the slipper fit for the Gaels?
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.
56. Georgia State Panthers
No. 15 seed in the South Region, 21-12 (11-7 Sun Belt)
This is not the same Georgia State team that upset Baylor a few years back. There is no potential first-round talent like R.J. Hunter was that year. Yet, they are still a talented team that crawled their way back to the Big Dance with tight matchups in their conference tournament. Tookie Brown (18.9 points, 4.3 assists) is their best player and a nominee for the best name in the Big Dance. They rank just outside of the top-100 in the KenPom overall rankings.
55. Marshall Thundering Herd
No. 13 seed in the East Region, 24-10 (12-6 CUSA)
What a weird year in the CUSA. It seemed a guarantee that either Middle Tennessee or Western Kentucky would be dancing in March. Yet, out of the smoke came Marshall as the conference tournament victor. It is hard to argue against this team being red-hot right now. They are coming off of some great in-conference wins and boast two high-end scorers. A first-round meeting with Wichita State is a difficult draw but Jon Elmore (22.8 points) and C.J. Burks (20.5 points) will do everything they can to outscore their opponents.
54. Montana Grizzlies
No. 14 seed in the West Region, 26-7 (16-2 Big Sky)
The Grizzlies absolutely dominated the Big Sky. From start to finish, the team was one of the heavy favorites to take the conference title. Travis DeCuire has his team playing great basketball and they dominated Eastern Washington, a team that beat them in the regular season, in the conference tournament final. Three double-digit scoring juniors lead this team in Ahmaad Rorie (17.2 points), Michael Oguine (15.8 points), and Jamar Akoh (13.1 points).
53. UNC-Greensboro Spartans
No. 13 seed in the West Region, 27-7 (15-3 Southern)
UNCG ranks sixth in the nation in points allowed per game (62.4) but do not have the most potent offense. I thought that the entire SoCon was underrated throughout the year and the Spartans were both the regular-season and tournament champions. It is hard to argue against them as deserving consideration as an upset team. If they can slow Gonzaga down and hit their 3-point shots, UNC-Greensboro could reach the second round.
52. Buffalo Bulls
No. 13 seed in the South Region, 26-8 (15-3 MAC)
The MAC champion, Buffalo enters the NCAA Tournament with one of the most potent offenses in the country. They play at a high pace and rank seventh in the nation with an 84.8 points per game average. They are led by a core group of three juniors in C.J. Massinburg, Nick Perkins, and Jeremy Harris, all of whom average more than 15 points per game. In non-conference play, the Bulls faced five other teams in the NCAA Tournament field: Cincinnati, South Dakota State, St. Bonaventure, Syracuse, and Texas A&M. Even though the team went 0-5, the average margin was only 10.8. For a double-digit seed, they showed that they can be competitive with the big boys. Do they have what it takes to knock off a red-hot Arizona team?
51. Syracuse Orange
No. 11 seed in the Midwest Region, 20-13 (8-10 ACC)
The last team in the NCAA Tournament field, Syracuse is going to receive a lot of publicity over the next few days. Many people said the Orange should not have been invited to the Big Dance but we all know what happened the last time that we all said that. The Orange are a young team that features only one senior playing significant minutes. As per usual, ‘Cuse’s zone has their defense ranking 16th in the nation in points allowed per game. On the offensive end, the team runs through sophomore Tyus Battle (19.8 points). Franklin Howard and Oshae Brissett are the next group of scorers for the ‘Cuse.
50. College of Charleston Cougars
No. 13 seed in the Midwest Region, 26-7 (14-4 CAA)
College of Charleston has three scorers that are very difficult to match up with. Sophomore Grant Riller (18.7 points) is one of the best-kept secrets in NCAA basketball while Joe Chealey (18.5 points) and Jarrell Brantley (17.0 points) do more than their fair share of work. The Cougars are going to be a very difficult out in my opinion for the Auburn Tigers. If you’re looking for a potential 13-over-4 upset, this is one of my favorite matchups.
49. Murray State Racers
No. 12 seed in the East Region, 16-5 (16-2 OVC)
Another team that dominated their conference, Murray State enters the NCAA Tournament from the Ohio Valley. The Racers has lost just two games since December 22nd, as they rolled through the latter half of their non-conference schedule before dominating the OVC schedule. However, they only faced two teams “worthy” of at-large bids this season. First, they lost a home bout against Middle Tennessee (yes, I know that aren’t in the field but they deserve the mention) by five points. Then, they fought hard in a home loss to Auburn by four points. It is obvious that this team competed well in each of these games. However, they were unable to get over the hump in either. Behind senior Jonathan Stark (21.8 points), the team is hoping to turn that around against West Virginia.
48. Arizona State Sun Devils
No. 11 seed in the Midwest Region, 20-11 (8-10 Pac-12)
After play during their non-conference schedule, Arizona State really fell off in Pac-12 play. They finished ninth in the conference and were dropped by Colorado in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament. This team is trending downwards in a big way since their wins over Kansas and Xavier earlier in the year. With seniors Tra Holder (18.5 points), Shannon Evans (16.6 points), and Kodi Justice (12.6 points), this offense is good enough to compete with anyone. However, I cannot say the same about their defense, which ranks outside of the top-100 both in points allowed and adjusted defensive efficiency. Bobby Hurley’s team will face off against Syracuse in the First Four and then possibly meet TCU on Friday.
47. South Dakota State Jackrabbits
No. 12 seed in the West Region, 28-6 (13-1 Summit)
Speaking of high-powered offensive teams, look no further than these Jackrabbits. T.J. Otzelberger’s team ranks sixth in the nation in points per game and has a top-50 offense (which is saying something for a mid-major) on KenPom. South Dakota State rolled through Summit League play this season. In addition, the team’s roster this year is much more poised for an NCAA Tournament run than last. Mike Daum (23.8 points, 10.4 rebounds) is the star of the show but freshman David Jenkins Jr. (16.1 points) has been better than anyone would have expected. This two-headed monster is hard to stop and they get to match up with a struggling Ohio State team.
46. New Mexico State Aggies
No. 12 seed in the Midwest Region, 28-5 (12-2 WAC)
Unlike the team’s previously mentioned, New Mexico State prides itself on their defense. They rank in the top-10 in points allowed per game (63.8) and also rank 14th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency. Those numbers really jump out in saying that the Aggies truly have an elite defense. Considering their first-round matchup comes against another defensive-minded team in Clemson, we could be preparing for a low-scoring affair. And this is where NMSU can release its offensive weapon. Senior Zach Lofton (19.7 points) is a guy who can go get his shot whenever necessary. The 6’4” senior carries New Mexico State’s offense while attempting nearly 15 shots per game (45.3%). Lofton isn’t the only reason for this team’s success though. Although undersized (6’5”), Jemerrio Jones is a sensational rebounder (13.2 boards) and passer (3.1 assists). He does not stretch the floor well but his 56.6% shooting inside the arc is handy.
45. San Diego State Aztecs
No. 11 seed in the West Region, 22-10 (11-7 MWC)
After knocking out Nevada in the MWC Tournament semifinals, San Diego State became a bid-stealer. This team was not expected to make the Big Dance but yet, here they are. The Aztecs come into the field riding a nine-game winning streak that included two wins over Nevada and another win over Boise State. It is hard to argue against the idea that this is one of the hottest teams in the nation. The Aztecs have a balanced team in that they have the ability to win ballgames with their offense or their defense. There are five scorers on the team who average double-figures in points. Senior Malik Pope leads this group at 12.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Brian Dutcher has a talented squad on his hands but they also get a tough first-round matchup in Houston.
44. NC State Wolfpack
No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region, 21-11 (11-7 ACC)
NC State enters the tournament in a bit of a rough start. That have dropped two of their last three games to sub-par opponents in Boston College and Georgia Tech. Thankfully, there was a semi-quality win sandwiched between them in the form of a home victory over Louisville. This is not the ideal way to trend heading into the Big Dance but the Wolfpack should be in good shape. Allerick Freeman (15.4 points), Omer Yurtseven (13.8 points, 6.9 rebounds), and Torin Dorn (13.8 points, 6.1 rebounds) are difficult covers for just about any team in the country. NC State has consistently played up to the level of their opponents this season. Their first-round matchup is against the senior-laden Seton Hall Pirates.
43. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
No. 11 seed in the South Region, 28-5 (15-3 MVC)
Loyola-Chicago will be one of the most common first-round upset picks this year. The Ramblers have already shown the ability to knock off good teams this season and they have one of the best overall records in the land. They have the ability to slow down any game and play at their pace. On the season, the team is giving up just 62.2 points per game (5th in the country). Loyola-Chicago is coming into the tournament on a 10-game winning streak and there is no reason to believe that they cannot keep that up. Even though do not attempt a ton of 3-pointers, they rank in the top-20 nationally in percentage from deep (39.8%). They will be a tough out for the Miami Hurricanes in the first round.
42. Florida State Seminoles
No. 9 seed in the West Region, 20-11 (9-9 ACC)
Florida State has one of the most well-rounded offenses in the country. They consistently score around 80 points per game despite not having a single scorer putting up over 15 points per game. In order to make this work, there are nine Florida State players averaging between 6-14 points per game. This incredible balance and depth make them very difficult to match up with for 40 minutes. Their bench Is excellent and can often times be the difference-maker in games. However, their lack of an elite go-to scorer makes them vulnerable in March for late-game situations. If FSU makes it past Missouri, their first-round matchup, though, they will likely get an NCAA Tournament rematch with Xavier.
41. Kansas State Wildcats
No. 9 seed in the South Region, 22-11 (10-8 Big 12)
Behind the two-headed monster of Dean Wade (16.5 points) and Barry Brown (16.0 points), Kansas State has a chance to beat anyone. These two have the ability to erupt at any moment and have takeover gene. Kansas State consistently moved up seed lines to end the season and belong in an 8/9 game. Under Bruce Weber, the program is trending back in the right direction and an NCAA Tournament win would be a great step. They have a difficult first round matchup against Creighton, a high-powered offense with a few defensive stoppers, before a potential meeting with Virginia, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.
40. Texas Longhorns
No. 10 seed in the South Region, 19-14 (8-10 Big 12)
Mohamed Bamba is definitely worth watching. The future NBA star had a phenomenal freshman year for Texas, posting averages of 12.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. He is the ultimate rim-protector in college basketball and single-handedly affects how opponents run their offense. In addition, Dylan Osetkowski (13.6 points, 7.1 rebounds) and Kerwin Roach Jr. (12.0 points, 3.6 assists) are capable scorers for the Longhorns. They might be a No. 10 seed, but when it comes to March, are you really going to bet against Shaka Smart?
39. UCLA Bruins
No. 11 seed in the East Region, 21-11 (11-7 Pac-12)
Aaron Holiday (20.3 points, 5.8 assists) has had a sensational season that absolutely nobody I talking about. The junior guard should really be in the conversation as one of the best players in the country but he does not get the mentions that he deserves. He has been the driving force of pushing UCLA to the NCAA Tournament and he has the ability to win a game in the Big Dance by himself. Of course, he does have some help around him in the form of Kris Wilkes (13.8 points) and Thomas Welsh (13.0 points, 10.7 rebounds), though. Playing in the First Four, it will be hard for the Bruins to make a run, especially with St. Bonaventure as their first opponent.
38. Davidson Wildcats
No. 12 seed in the South Region, 20-11 (13-5 Atlantic 10)
Davidson was one of the biggest stories on Selection Sunday. With their out-of-nowhere run of upsetting St. Bonaventure and Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, they became a massive bid-stealer. With their incredible 3-point shooting as a team (39.1%, 24th in the nation), the Wildcats are very dangerous. In addition, both Peyton Aldridge (21.5 points, 7.8 rebounds) and Kellen Grady (18.0 points) are capable of carrying this team. A 12-over-5 upset happens just about every year. Will Davidson resurrect some magic from the Steph Curry years and upset Kentucky?
37. St. Bonaventure Bonnies
No. 11 seed in the East Region, 25-7 (14-4 Atlantic 10)
Speaking of St. Bonaventure, here they are. Even though they are playing in the First Four, this should not take away from how good this team is. The Bonnies are an elite basketball team that, in reality, plays more like a No. 7-9 seed than a No. 11 seed. They had their stretches of poor play this season but were on a 13-game winning streak before they lost to Davidson in the conference tournament semifinals. This is a team that nobody wants to run into. Jaylen Adams (19.8 points) and Matt Mobley (18.5 points) make up one of the best duos in the country. In addition, just about everyone on the roster is a capable 3-point shooter. The team shot 39.8% from deep on the year (20th in the country).
36. Missouri Tigers
No. 8 seed in the West Region, 20-12 (10-8 SEC)
With Michael Porter Jr. now in the fold, Missouri has the ability to be a really good team. However, we are yet to see just how well he will gel with the team that has played all season without him. Cuonzo Martin has had a solid season in his first year at the helm of the Tigers. They got a tough first-round draw in that they are stuck in an 8/9 matchup. Even if Kassius Robertson (16.2 points), Jordan Barnett (13.7 points), and the Porter Brothers get past Florida State, they will get a date with Xavier in the second round.
35. Virginia Tech Hokies
No. 8 seed in the East Region, 21-11 (10-8 ACC)
Virginia Tech ended the regular season with three losses in four games. However, that lone win was over the Duke Blue Devils, so it’s hard to be too mad at the Hokies. Buzz Williams’ team has the ability to beat just about anybody but they have laid a few eggs throughout the year. There are five different Hokies who score in double-figures per game while the team scores nearly 80 points per game. Justin Robinson is the leader of the offense with his 13.8 points and 5.6 assists per game averages.
34. Oklahoma Sooners
No. 10 seed in the Midwest Region, 18-13 (8-10 Big 12)
Did Oklahoma deserve to make the NCAA Tournament? Maybe, maybe not. However, that is neither here nor there. The team is going dancing and it is time to talk about their potential. The team has clearly struggled down the stretch of the season, losing eight of their 10 games. Yet, they have Trae Young. The freshman phenom has been playing on the big stage all season long with eyes solely on him. Even though the fizzle has died around Young, he is still incredibly talented and can carry the Sooners to one or two wins in the Big Dance.
33. Creighton Bluejays
No. 8 seed in the South Region, 21-11 (10-8 Big East)
With Marcus Foster and Khyri Thomas leading the way, Creighton has a great two-way duo. While Foster is one of the best offensive players in the country, Thomas is a lockdown wing defender. The team has taken a significant hit overall since the loss of Martin Krampelj to injury but they added a win over Villanova in his absence. The Bluejays, who only had two Quadrant 1 wins on the year, have struggled against top-level opponents this year, though, and will really struggle with Virginia if they reach the second round.
32. Texas A&M Aggies
No. 7 seed in the West Region, 20-12 (9-9 SEC)
Texas A&M might not do anything that jumps off the page but they are a very solid team. However, their inconsistent play is worrying for their NCAA Tournament hopes. They have gone through win streaks of three, four (twice), and seven this season. However, they have hit rough patches that include losing streaks of five and three this year. Tyler Davis (14.5 points, 8.8 rebounds) and Admon Gilder (12.2 points) are the offensive leaders on this team. This is a squad that thrives in their ability to block shots. This is especially due to Robert Williams, who swats 2.5 shots per game. However, their 32.7% shooting from deep is what leaves them behind other teams.
31. TCU Horned Frogs
No. 6 seed in the Midwest Region, 21-11 (9-9 Big 12)
After starting the year 12-0, TCU finished just 9-11. They have had a rough go of things lately, especially considering the loss of Jaylen Fisher to injury for the season. While the Horned Frogs have an excellent offense, their defense is horrid. They consistently struggle with teams that shoot well from 3-point range as it is hard for TCU’s offense to keep up with how bad their defense can be. Vladimir Brodziansky is the scoring leader on the team at 15.1 points per game but Kenrich Williams (13.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists) is the man to watch for the Horned Frogs. I find it unlikely that this team goes far in the Big Dance, though, because of their defense.
30. Alabama Crimson Tide
No. 9 seed in the East Region, 19-15 (8-10)
So how about Collin Sexton? The freshman star (19.0 points) is one of the best players in the country and can carry Alabama to a win or two in the Big Dance. Head coach Avery Johnson has pushed the Crimson Tide to new heights this season, even though their record might not reflect on that. The team played one of the most difficult schedules in the country this season and they showed night in and night out that they can compete with the best. Per KenPom, ‘Bama is one of the lowest ranked teams to receive an automatic bid. Yet, they will do everything they can do to change the analytics narrative.
29. Providence Friars
No. 10 seed in the West Region, 21-13 (10-8 Big East)
Providence has the second-worst KenPom rating of any team to receive an at-large bid this year. Don’t tell Kyron Cartwright or Ed Cooley that, though. This team has consistently outdone expectations over the years and there is enough talent on this team to make a second-weekend run. Cartwright’s statistics (11.8 points, 5.7 assists) do not back up just how good he is as a go-to player. Along with Alpha Diallo and Rodney Bullock, Cartwright is what makes this team tick.
28. Arkansas Razorbacks
No. 7 seed in the East Region, 23-11 (10-8 SEC)
I think that Arkansas has been underrated all year long. They have a balanced offensive attack and shoot the ball exceptionally well from 3-point range. On the year, the Razorbacks shot 40.0% even from beyond the arc, which was good enough for the 18th-best mark in the nation. While their poor free throw shooting (67.8%, 297th) is a bit concerning, they have three elite college basketball players. Jaylen Barford (18.0 points), Daryl Macon (16.9 points), and Daniel Gafford (11.9 points) all bring something different to the table for the Razorbacks. If even one is allowed to get going, they will be a difficult out.
27. Butler Bulldogs
No. 10 seed in the East Region, 20-13 (9-9 Big East)
Butler has won their six first-round games in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs are one of the most consistent programs in the nation and it is never smart to bet against them. Even though Butler enters the tournament as a No. 10 seed, they were ordered in the S curve as the top No. 9 seed by the committee. LaVall Jordan did an excellent job in his first season as Butler’s head coach, propelling a team that was picked to finish eighth in the Big East to the NCAA Tournament. Of course, he had help from two college basketball stars in Kelan Martin (20.8 point, 6.2 rebounds) and Kamar Baldwin (15.5 points). In addition, they are one of the best foul shooting teams in the nation (77.1%, 20th in the nation).
26. Miami Hurricanes
No. 6 seed in the South Region, 22-9 (11-7 ACC)
You may have heard about the elite freshmen at Oklahoma, Duke, and Kentucky. But take note of the duo at Miami. Lonnie Walker (11.5 points) and Chris Lykes (9.6 points) are about as exciting as it comes for freshmen guards playing together. In the absence of Bruce Brown (11.4 points), they have become go-to guys for Jim Larranaga alongside sophomore big Dewan Huell (11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds). Oh, and did I mention that Lykes is only 5’7”? Prior to their first-round exit in the ACC Tournament to North Carolina, the team had won four consecutive games. They received a tough first-round draw in Loyola-Chicago but Miami’s hot finish to the regular season should help them out.
25. Rhode Island Rams
No. 7 seed in the Midwest Region, 25-6 (15-3 Atlantic 10)
While it was clearly disappointing that Rhode Island was unable to finish off the Atlantic 10 Tournament title, they are still very talented. The A10 was looked down upon all season long but I think we are about to see just how good the league was this season. Rhode Island, the leader of the league, warranted the No. 7 seed that they received. Drawing Oklahoma and then Duke (if they win) is very difficult but this team has what it takes to pull some upsets and reach the second weekend. Jared Terrell (17.2 points) emerged as the team’s top scorer this year but E.C. Matthews (13.1 points) is an excellent second option. Also, four of the top five scorers for Dan Hurley are seniors, proving the experience on this squad.
24. Florida Gators
No. 6 seed in the East Region, 20-12 (11-7 SEC)
Florida might not have lived up to their preseason expectations this season but they are a dangerous foe. They enter the tournament with an excellent record in Quadrant 1 games while floundering a bit in Quadrant 2. This poses their future as a boom or bust team. They have Elite Eight potential but also could fall in the first round. With a matchup against the winner of St. Bonaventure/UCLA in the first round, they will have to deal with an elite guard either in the form of Jaylen Adams or Aaron Holiday. The Gators are led by Jalen Hudson (15.3 points) and Chris Chiozza (11.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists).
23. Nevada Wolf Pack
No. 7 seed in the South Region, 27-7 (15-3 MWC)
Caleb Martin and Cody Martin were to the most impactful newcomers to any team this season. The Wolf Pack has been seriously lucky to add two incredible talents. For the year, Caleb is posting 19.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while his brother Cody is averaging 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. Add in junior Jordan Caroline (17.9 points, 8.8 rebounds) and senior Kendall Stephens (13.2 points) and you have a potential second-weekend team. While it will be difficult to overcome the likes of Texas and Cincinnati, I love Nevada’s potential. Eric Musselman’s team is incredibly talented when they are on form.
22. Seton Hall Pirates
No. 8 seed in the Midwest Region, 21-11 (10-8 Big East)
Experience matters in the postseason. In order to win in March, it is necessary to have upperclassmen or at the very least underclassmen playing beyond their years. For Seton Hall, they have both. In their talented senior class, Angel Delgado (13.3 points, 11.6 rebounds) leads the way as a double-double machine. The leading scorer for the team, Desi Rodriguez (17.8 points), is also in his final season. As for the underclassmen, it is hard to ignore Myles Powell (15.4 points), who has improved tremendously from his freshman season. This team has been shaky at best this season but can beat anyone when they are feeling right.
21. Clemson Tigers
No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region, 23-9 (11-7 ACC)
The loss of Donte Grantham (14.2 points) really hurt this team. He was one of the leading scorers on the team and one of the driving forces of their success. Yet, with him out, the team has mostly maintained their solid play as several members of the rotation have picked up the slack. Like several other teams in the tournament, this team excels on one end of their floor. Their defense can go toe-to-toe with just about any other team in the nation thanks to the coaching of Brad Brownell. New Mexico State is far from the easiest draw on the No. 12 line so the Tigers will have their hands full in a low-scoring game.
20. Houston Cougars
No. 6 seed in the West Region, 26-6 (14-4 AAC)
If you watched the AAC Tournament, you know how dangerous Houston can be. Even though the Cougars were unable to knock off Cincinnati in the final, they gave them a run for their money. Rob Gray Jr. (18.5 points) and Corey Davis Jr. (13.5 points) are both excellent players who can let it fly from deep as well as get to the basket. Kelvin Sampson has built this team around quality defense and two offensive options who can create their own shots. Per KenPom, they sit in the top-20 nationally and belong as one of the best teams in the nation.
19. Ohio State Buckeyes
No. 5 seed in the West Region, 24-8 (15-3 Big Ten)
Hey, Ohio State fans, I have good news for you: Penn State is not in the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes only took eight defeats in the regular season and three of them came at the hands of the Nittany Lions. Chris Holtmann has done an incredible job in his first season at Ohio State, guiding the program to a second-place finish in one of the best leagues in America. Leading the squad is an All-American caliber player by the name of Keita Bates-Diop (19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds). In addition, Jae’Sean Tate (12.5 points), C.J. Jackson (12.2 points), and Kaleb Wesson (10.8 points) are having outstanding seasons as part of the supporting cast.
18. West Virginia Mountaineers
No. 5 seed in the East Region, 24-10 (11-7 Big 12)
West Virginia is consistently one of the best teams in the country. This year is no difference. Bob Huggins once again has his team pressing like none other and playing elite defense. Behind the all-around play of senior Jevon Carter (17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.6 assists), the Mountaineers are a top-four seed. While Carter is the best perimeter defender in the nation, Sagaba Konate can put his name in consideration for the top interior defender. For the season, the sophomore is blocking 3.3 shots per game. As long as the Mountaineers are forcing turnovers, they will remain in the tournament.
17. Auburn Tigers
No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region, 25-7 (13-5 SEC)
Bruce Pearl has done a phenomenal job this season. Despite dealing the FBI investigations, suspensions, and injuries, the Auburn Tigers were awarded a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The team exceeded almost every expectation set out for them as they went on to win the SEC. Considering how respected that conference was this season, it was definitely a special year for Auburn. Led by Bryce Brown (16.2 points) and Mustapha Heron (16.6 points), the Tigers enter the tournament with an elite offense that gets to the line often (789 FTA, 18th in the nation) and convert once they get there (78.6%, 8th in the nation). Their defense also swatted the 15th-most shots in the nation this year (173).
16. Texas Tech Red Raiders
No. 3 seed in the East Region, 24-9 (11-7 Big 12)
In just his second season as head coach at Texas Tech, Chris Beard has given the program a second-place finish in the Big 12. Considering the level of play in the conference, going 11-7 was truly a special year. Of course, it helps to have an outstanding senior like Keenan Evans (17.5 points) on the roster. Along with freshmen Jarrett Culver (11.7 points) and Zhaire Smith (11.1 points), Evans makes this team a contender for the national championship. That is, of course, if they can avoid West Virginia, who seemed to have their number this season. The Red Raiders have two of the key ingredients for making a run in March thanks to their elite defense and their top-notch closer in Evans.
15. Tennessee Volunteers
No. 3 seed in the South Region, 25-7 (13-5 SEC)
This has been one of the best seasons in recent memory for Tennessee. The Volunteers had a great non-conference slate and then followed it up by tying for the SEC regular-season title. They added some tremendous wins along the way and reached the championship game of the conference tournament. They have a balanced attack that is ready to not only make a run this season but in the future too. Four of the top five scorers on the team are sophomores, including leading scorer Grant Williams (15.3 points). As long as the team stays poised, they have a good chance to make a deep run. We saw their resilience in a big-time comeback against Kentucky this past weekend and they will need to play with that fire in the Big Dance.
14. Kentucky Wildcats
No. 5 seed in the South Region, 23-10 (10-8 SEC)
So, with that being said about Tennessee, let’s talk about the team that beat them in the SEC final. Despite being inconsistent throughout the year, it is time to think that Kentucky is hitting their stride. They won each of their first two games in the SEC Tournament by double-digits and then took down Tennessee after withstanding a big run at their lead. However, it is important to note that the team has not been tested incredibly well this season. The Wildcats have a lot of “good” wins but they have nothing that screams reasoning for UK to be “Final Four good.” Kevin Knox (15.6 points) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13.9 points, 5.0 assists) are the leaders of the team.
13. Arizona Wildcats
No. 4 seed in the South Region, 27-7 (14-4 Pac-12)
Similar to the concerns about Kentucky, Arizona does not have any major marquee wins. The Pac-12 had a down year and while it is good that the Wildcats handled their business, it did not improve their tournament expectations much. They were haunted by the FBI investigation throughout the year and many ignored their top-notch play because of it. Now that the investigation is behind them (for now), it is time to talk about Sean Miller’s team as capable of making a deep run. DeAndre Ayton (20.3 points, 11.5 rebounds) is arguably the most physically dominant player in college basketball and there is plenty of talent surrounding him in the starting lineup, including Allonzo Trier (18.4 points). The issue for the Wildcats, though, is that they get little to no help off the bench. That needs to change if they want to make a run.
12. Gonzaga Bulldogs
No. 4 seed in the West Region, 30-4 (17-1 WCC)
Gonzaga might not be a No. 1 seed like they were a year ago but do not look past them. Mark Few has once again put together an incredibly good season and, before you say it, they actually challenged themselves in non-conference play. During the first two months of the season, the Bulldogs faced Ohio State, Florida, Texas, Creighton, Washington, and Villanova, going 4-2 in those games. They are led by five (almost six) players who score in double figures. This balanced offense ranks in the top-10 nationally in points scored per game. They are also one of the best teams in holding their opponents to low percentage shooting (40.5%, 19th in the nation).
11. Wichita State Shockers
No. 4 seed in the East Region, 25-7 (14-4 AAC)
Wichita State was quite successful in their first season in the AAC. Even though they did not win the regular season or tournament title, they finished 14-4 in the league. Gregg Marshall has a relatively balanced roster in addition to having a go-to point guard in crunch time. Landry Shamet’s per game numbers (15.0 points, 5.1 assists) might not jump off the page but his 46.0% shooting from three and 56.3% shooting inside the arc do. Add the inside presence of Shaquille Morris and that is a dangerous pick-and-roll duo. The Shockers can make it rain from deep (38.5 3P%, 36th in the nation) and do not turn the ball over very often.
10. Michigan State Spartans
No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region, 29-4 (16-2 Big Ten)
Michigan State is clearly one of the most talented teams in the country. In terms of seeding, they were held back by the down year from the Big Ten and an overall lack of high-quality wins. Yet, this is a team that went on a 13-game winning streak for a reason. Tom Izzo’s team is athletic, rebounds the ball well, and shoots the absolute lights out from three (41.3%, 5th in the nation). They are a dangerous matchup for anyone and could easily find their way to the Final Four. However, the fact that they struggled against all major opponents in the second half of the season is concerning.
9. Michigan Wolverines
No. 3 seed in the West Region, 28-7 (13-5 Big Ten)
Sticking with the Big Ten, Michigan is coming to the tournament on a nine-game winning streak that includes victories over Ohio State, Penn State, Nebraska, Michigan State, and Purdue. The team is as hot as anyone else in the nation at this moment. John Beilein, once again, is showing why he is such a great coach. The Wolverines belong as one of the top-10 contenders for the national title and it is because of how well their coach prepares them for March. They are an elite defensive team with a versatile scoring machine in 6’10” Moritz Wagner (14.5 points, 7.1 rebounds) on the roster.
8. Cincinnati Bearcats
No. 2 seed in the South Region, 29-4 (16-2 AAC)
Cincinnati went 30-4 this season. That should be enough reason to show just good they are. There have been tough times throughout the year but that record does not come easily when you play in a conference like the AAC. Mick Cronin’s team is one of the best in the land thanks to their outstanding defense. Even while playing the likes of Wichita State and Houston multiple times during the year, the Bearcats rank second in the country in points allowed per game at 57.1. In addition, they have more firepower on offense than in the past. Gary Clark leads the way for the team with his averages of 13.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. The only issue for Cincinnati is how they will fare against a team that shoots the lights out. Are they able to keep pace in a high-scoring affair?
7. Purdue Boilermakers
No. 2 seed in the East Region, 28-6 (15-3 Big Ten)
This might be a little bit high for Purdue. Over the past nine games, the team is just 5-4, including a loss to Wisconsin. Saying that the other three of those losses came to tournament teams (Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan) does not help their case, either. This is the NCAA Tournament now and the team needs to be able to win those kinds of games if they want to make a deep run. While they should cruise past their first-round opponent, a matchup with Arkansas or Butler will not be easy. Carsen Edwards (18.5 points) and Isaac Haas (14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds) lead the way for this “elite” offense that has been held under their season average for points (81.1) in nine of their last 12 games.
6. Duke Blue Devils
No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, 26-7 (13-5 ACC)
Blanket statement: [Insert year here] Duke is really, really good. As per usual, Coach Mike Krzyzewski has his team playing excellent basketball come March. They are arguably the most talented team in the country and enter the Big Dance as a No. 2 seed. Along with DeAndre Ayton at Arizona, Marvin Bagley III (21.1 points, 11.5 rebounds) is an intimidating offensive force at 6’11” who can score in just about every way imaginable. In addition, Grayson Allen (15.7 points, 4.5 assists) has taken on more of a playmaking role this season to go with his scoring. The freshmen on this team are well-documented, as are their defensive issues. As long as Duke is continuing to simply outscore their opponents, they will be just fine on the defensive end.
5. North Carolina Tar Heels
No. 2 seed in the West Region, 25-10 (11-7 ACC)
Very few teams can tout as many high-quality wins as North Carolina. It is a testament to the Tar Heels’ strength of schedule that, despite their 10 losses, they are a No. 2 seed. Roy Williams’ team has reached the National Championship in each of the past two seasons and they are hoping to keep that streak alive. Last season’s MOP, Joel Berry (17.1 points), is still on the roster and doing damage. In addition, the hero of their win over Kentucky last season, Luke Maye (17.2 points, 10.1 rebounds), has emerged as a superstar in the frontcourt. Because UNC is not the most efficient offensive team in the country (46.0 FG%, 111th in the nation – 36.4 3P%, 105th), it is thankful that they are the best rebounding team.
4. Xavier Musketeers
No. 1 seed in the West Region, 28-5 (15-3 Big East)
Considering they are a No. 1 seed, Xavier has not gotten a lot of hype this season. They had a tremendous season, winning the Big East regular-season outright. If it wasn’t for them getting trounced by Villanova in both meetings, they would have been in the running for the top overall seed. Nonetheless, this is a team that has everything it takes to make a deep run. They score a ton of points, have enough defensive stoppers to operate in crunch time, and have arguably the best closer in the country. Trevon Bluiett (19.5 points) seems like a guaranteed bucket when he gets the ball near the end of games. In addition, almost every key contributor on this team is returning from their Elite Eight run last season. There is no shortage of experience from this roster.
3. Kansas Jayhawks
No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, 27-7 (13-5 Big 12)
Is it really any shock to see Kansas on the top line? The powerhouse that Bill Self has molded in Lawrence is something special. Even though the Jayhawks got the toughest draw in the first round, Pennsylvania, they should no trouble taking care of business. Behind Devonte’ Graham (17.3 points, 7.5 assists) and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (15.1 points), there is enough experience on this roster to go the distance. Add in the excellent interior play of Udoka Azubuike (13.7 points, 7.1 rebounds) as of late and the team is primed for a Final Four run. The biggest hole in Kansas is their lack of depth in the frontcourt, though. If Azubuike is forced into foul trouble, the Jayhawks can get into trouble.
2. Villanova Wildcats
No. 1 seed in the East Region, 30-4 (14-4 Big East)
Jay Wright is practically synonymous with winning at this point. He is arguably the best coach in college basketball and he has made his case once again this season. Even though Villanova did not win the conference regular-season title, they destroyed the actual champion (Xavier) twice during the season before making reparations by winning the Big East Tournament. In my opinion, Jalen Brunson (19.4 points, 4.7 assists) should be the National Player of the Year and he is barely the best player on his own team. Future lottery pick Mikal Bridges (18.0 point, 5.4 rebounds) is having a sensational season as well, creating a two-headed monster better than any other team in the country. Even though the Wildcats do not run a deep rotation, every player that sees minutes adds a valuable contribution.
1. Virginia Cavaliers
No. 1 seed in the South Region, 31-2 (17-1 ACC)
Holding down the top spot is the best defense in the country (and that statement is not even close). Tony Bennett’s defensive juggernaut at Virginia is nearly impossible to score on. They hound every ball handler, they are in every passing lane, and they contest every single shot. Maximum effort is constantly given on defense. If it is not, the bench is the next location for that player. And, to answer the question that I know is already brewing in your head, their offense is much improved from prior years. Kyle Guy (14.1 points) and Devon Hall (12.0 points) can each go get their own bucket when needed. Of course, it also helps that Virginia is the 29th best team in the country when it comes to 3-point percentage (39.0%).
Next: Best bets to win the title
That rounds out this edition of the 1-68 rankings. The NCAA Tournament is bound to be fun and these rankings will surely mean nothing in just a few weeks (if they aren’t already meaningless). Check back after the weekend for a re-ranking of the Sweet 16.