NCAA Tournament 2023: Ranking all 16 Second Round matchups

By Joey Loose | Mar 18, 2023

Mar 17, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) and Creighton Bluejays guard Ryan Nembhard (2) react to a play during the second half against North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first round of the 2023 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports /

9 of 9

NCAA Tournament Duke Blue Devils guard Jeremy Roach (3) and Oral Roberts Golden Eagles forward DeShang Weaver Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /

2. 4 Indiana vs 5 Miami FL

Head coach Jim Larranaga was certainly happy to get a full game out of center Norchad Omier, who was questionably with injury, and it was his team’s defense that got them a 63-56 win over Drake in the first round. The Hurricanes have a talented backcourt with Nijel Pack, Jordan Miller, and Isaiah Wong all capable scorers and playmakers. They survived a surprisingly strong defensive team in Drake and will hope for a repeat of last year’s surprise run to the Elite Eight.

Despite what’s happened in the Big Ten already this postseason, Indiana is no pushover, getting a 71-60 win over Kent State in the first round. Trayce Jackson-Davis is a First Team All-American for a reason and showed it in a pair of February wins against a Purdue team watching the rest of the Tournament from home. Freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino will be key for the Hoosiers, who’ll need him to show experience against a stronger and more capable Miami backcourt.

1. 4 Tennessee vs. 5 Duke

Seemingly left for dead after a pair of rough February losses, the Blue Devils are now one of the nation’s hottest teams. The ACC Tournament champions ran their winning streak to 10 with a 74-51 win against an Oral Roberts team many thought was a prime upset candidate this season. Jon Scheyer’s roster is loaded with elite young talent, with none more important than Kyle Filipowski, though Dereck Lively II and Dariq Whitehead have been very effective in recent weeks.

Next. Top 10 most likey upsets in 2nd round of NCAAT. dark

Tennessee has been one of the most efficient teams in the nation this year and just held on for a 58-55 win against Louisiana in the first round of the Tournament. Losing point guard Zakai Zeigler was a serious blow for the Volunteers’ chances, but this team plays elite defense, showing earlier in the year that they can beat talented teams like Kansas and Texas. Which team will prevail; the young talent or the elite defense missing their distributor?

Home/March Madness