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

By Lukas Harkins

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)
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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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 24: Virginia Tech Hokies celebrate. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 24: Virginia Tech Hokies celebrate. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

15. Virginia Tech Hokies

Results: Wins over Saint Louis (66-52) and Liberty (67-58)

Virginia Tech shouldn’t be this low. I love the Hokies and I think that they are definitely deserving of being rated higher than this. With that said, though, they have not been particularly impressive to this point in the NCAA Tournament and are ranked this low by the “chalky” nature of the other teams in the Sweet 16. Virginia Tech was ranked by the selection committee as the No. 16 overall team selected to the Big Dance (I mostly agreed with this) and there were not enough upsets to see them drop down the list.

Only two teams rated lower than the Hokies are in the Sweet 16 (Auburn and Oregon) so it shouldn’t be a major surprise that they are ranked here. In short, though, I think that this placement summarizes how incredible the next few weeks are going to be. Due to the lack of upsets in the opening two rounds, almost all of the top teams in the country remain alive and that includes Virginia Tech. With Justin Robinson returning to the flow of the game, the Hokies are becoming more and more dangerous by the day. This team shoots the ball exceedingly well (and often) and they could win it all.

In addition to being a great offensive squad, though, the Hokies showed that they are underrated on the defensive end of the floor in the opening weekend as well. Virginia Tech held both of their first two opponents to under 60 points on poor shooting from the floor. If their defense continues to function at this level, they will be a very tough out.

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