NCAA Basketball: Ranking all 2021 NCAA Tournament teams
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26. San Diego State (22-4): While the Aztecs are strong from beyond the arc, they are just an average shooting team overall. Matt Mithell and Jordan Schakel lead the way for SD State, which is only 1-3 in Quad I games.
25. Texas Tech (17-10): Mac McClung can carry the Red Raiders offensively, and they have three others averaging double-figures. TTU is a good 3-point shooting team, and the Raiders do an excellent job on the offensive glass, and they do a very good job at limiting turnovers. They are a slightly above-average defensive team though they struggle with fouls as well as defending the 3-point line.
24. Wisconsin (17-12). The Badgers are a senior-laden team that knows how to control the pace and defend. But UW struggles to put the ball in the hoop at times, and they don’t do a good job at getting to the free-throw line or attacking the offensive glass.
23. BYU (20-6): The Cougars, led by Alex Barcello, can flat out shoot the ball, and they also have a strong inside post presence with Matt Haarms. BYU, which is 8-6 in Quad 1 and 2 contests, have struggled to get to the free-throw line and to force turnovers.
22. West Virginia (18-9): The Mountaineers have four players, led by Miles McBride and Derek Culver, who tally double-figures, and they are a good 3-point shooting team as well as a tremendous on the offensive boards. However, WVU is not a good defensive rebounding team, and they struggle shooting the ball overall.
21. Purdue (18-9) The Boilermakers are in the NCAA Tourney for a sixth straight time. Depth, defense, scoring around the rim, and offensive rebounding are strengths for Purdue. However, perimeter shooting, turnovers, and forcing turnovers are issues.
20. Colorado (22-8). The Buffaloes are long, and they shoot the ball well from distance and the free-throw line. The Buffs also hit the offensive boards hard, but they struggle to get to the free-throw line. McKinley Wright is the catalyst for the Buffs.
19. Houston (23-3): The Cougars are just 8-2 in Quad I and 2 contests. However, the Cougs are athletic and are really strong on the offensive glass. Quentin Grimes, who is very dangerous from beyond the arc, has come into his own this year and leads a solid group of guards. Fouling and relying so much on the 3-point shot is are the issues.
18. USC (22-7): Evan Mobley will have to be sensational for the Trojans to reach the Final Four, but he is talented enough, and USC, which should control the paint with their size and length, play solid defense. Inexperience, lack of shooters, and depth issues are issues.
17. Florida State (16-6): Scottie Barnes is the player to watch for the Seminoles, who lost three of their last five. FSU goes nine deep, and the Noles shoot the ball well from beyond the arc, and they are solid defensively. However, turnovers along with defensive rebounding and fouling are issues.
16. Oklahoma State (20-8): Cade Cunningham is the main attraction for the Cowboys, who have won 8 of 10. While the ‘Boys are athletic, they are inexperienced and struggle with turnovers.