NCAA Tournament 2019: Reranking the teams remaining in the Sweet 16

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 23: Brandon Clarke #15 and the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrate after their win against the Baylor Bears in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Results: Wins over Northern Kentucky (72-57) and Buffalo (78-58)

Is there a better defensive unit in the country than Texas Tech? I don’t think so. Even though there are several programs who might argue against this, it’s hard to imagine a unit as stifling as the Red Raiders have been this season. They seemingly lock down every potential option for their opposition and that showed in the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament. They held both of their first two opponents to under 60 points and that is extremely impressive considering they had to face off against one of the best offensive units in the country in Buffalo.

In addition to their outstanding defense, though, Texas Tech’s offense has improved tremendously over the course of the season. Earlier in the year, the Red Raiders were hovering around the fringe of the top-100 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency rating. Now, though, they have climbed to No. 33 in that mark and that is a major reason why they are a national title threat. Oh, and it also doesn’t hurt that the team is led by an absolute stud in Jarrett Culver. One of the top-10 players in the entire country, Culver is the offensive leader of the team while also bringing plenty of intensity to the defensive end.

Head coach Chris Beard is absolutely one of the best in the business and his team could easily reach the Final Four this season. Their defense is regarded as the best in the nation by many pundits and their offense is only still improving. The Red Raiders have really only laid one big egg all season long and they are playing at a very high level.

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