Busting Brackets
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NCAA Tournament: Ranking all 68 teams in the Big Dance

By Lukas Harkins

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 19: The Cameron Crazies taunt Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 72-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 19: The Cameron Crazies taunt Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 72-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 17: Brown #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 17: Brown #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Third-tier title contenders

12. Florida State Seminoles (27-7, 13-5 ACC) – No. 4 seed

Florida State could easily be a seed line (or two) higher in the NCAA Tournament. their resume might not say it but it is the truth. The Seminoles are entering the Big Dance as winners of 14 of their last 16 games with those only two losses coming against No. 1 seeds. Head coach Leonard Hamilton has instilled a tremendous defensive mindset in his players and they are doing a great job slowing down their opponent’s ball movement. Florida State only allows opponents to dish out assists on 44.2% of their total made field goals as they force teams to make really tough shots.

11. Auburn Tigers (26-9, 11-7 SEC) – No. 5 seed

One of the hottest teams in the country, I am in love with Auburn right now. Rated as one of the top teams in KenPom throughout the year, the Tigers never really lived up to the hype until these last few weeks and they are showing everyone exactly what they are capable of. Auburn is entering the NCAA Tournament on an eight-game winning streak that includes four victories over teams in the Big Dance field. Their offense, which is led by an insane backcourt of Bryce Brown and Jared Harper, is superb and defenses will have a hard time slowing down the freight train that Bruce Pearl is currently conducting.

10. Houston Cougars (31-3, 16-2 AAC) – No. 3 seed

This has been perhaps the most overlooked team in the country so far this season. A year ago, the Cougars were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament on an insane buzzer-beater by the eventual national runners-up. This season, head coach Kelvin Sampson has his team in even better position to make a deep run. Houston has an elite defense and its offense thrives on second-chance opportunities. Good luck scoring on this squad.

9. Texas Tech Red Raiders (26-6, 14-4 B12) – No. 3 seed

“Defense wins championships.” If this saying still applies in college basketball, then Texas Tech is in really good shape. With the best defensive unit in the country, the Red Raiders have the size and athleticism to shut down seemingly any offense. With that said, though, their struggles on offense have given way to some inconsistencies throughout this year. Head coach Chris Beard has enough talent to win it all this year but Jarrett Culver‘s supporting cast will need to bring consistent offensive production to the table in order for that to happen.

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