March Madness 2024: Ranking the 8 Sweet 16 matchups in terms of intrigue/storylines

4. Alabama vs North Carolina

Arguably the best individual matchup in the Sweet 16 comes in this game, with RJ Davis of UNC taking on Mark Sears of Alabama in the backcourt. But there’s plenty of firepower besides those two, with the Crimson Tide having the top-scoring offense in the country, while the Tar Heels have two other star players in forwards, Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram.

Purdue isn’t the only team looking for redemption, as UNC went from preseason No. 1 a year ago to missing out on the NCAA Tournament. It would be a nice bounce-back for the program to get to another Final Four, while Alabama is looking for its first appearance that deep. There’s plenty at stake for a game that’s likely to be a big shootout.

3. Purdue vs Gonzaga

It’s another Sweet 16 appearance for Gonzaga, who has been playing its best basketball of the season after a blowout over Kansas in the Round of 32. They’re looking for revenge against Purdue after losing to them in the Maui Invitational this season. Could the Bulldogs be the biggest obstacle to the Boilermakers making the Final Four?

All eyes are going to be on Purdue to see if they can make the Final Four with National Player of the Year center, Zach Edey. They’re going to be favored but based on how Gonzaga has been playing, this rematch could be much closer this time around.