Reseeding the Sweet 16: Who overperformed, who underperformed?
So … how’s your bracket? Yeah, we understand.The initially 2 rounds have provided us historic moments and thrilling wins. Remember when Furman beat Virginia on a 3-pointer in the last seconds on Thursday? We do not either. Because since then, Fairleigh Dickinson and Princeton made more consequential upsets that rapidly took Furman’s 15 minutes of fame.Michigan State was competitive but clearly flawed through Big 10 play.
Still, it’s Tom Izzo, so the Spartans are in the Sugary food 16 as soon as again. Kansas and Purdue, both 1-seeds, are back house. Huh?Our effort to reseed the Sugary food 16 is closer to a ranking system based on our belief of where
these teams stand now, and how far we believe they can go. The complete body of work matters, however the present state of a program is impactful, too. Simply ask Arkansas, which weathered an 8-11 stretch before this competition run.Here is our attempt to reseed the Sugary food 16: 1. Alabama Crimson Tide Original Seed: No. 1. Reseed: 1 Nate Oats’squad appears to possess a gear that maybe even Houston– the just other remaining No. 1
seed in the NCAA competition– might not be able to reach. In the 21-point win over Texas A&M -Corpus Christi on Thursday, Brandon Miller (groin injury) went scoreless and played just 19 minutes, however the Crimson Tide still registered 132 points per 100 ownerships. Miller returned for Alabama’s 22-point win over Maryland in the second round with 19 points, seven rebounds.The Crimson Tide– third in adjusted protective performance on KenPom– proved they can likewise play outstanding defense, too. The balance attached to this Alabama group is
unequaled in college basketball right now. Miller is a top-five NBA possibility on every trustworthy mock draft board and leads a team capable of offending barrages and defensive shutdowns. It’s not inconceivable that Alabama might walk through its next two challengers on its way to the Last Four.Up next: vs. San Diego State(Friday, 6:30 p.m. ET, TBS )Editor’s Picks 2 Associated
2. Houston Cougars Initial Seed: No. 1. Reseed: 1 Houston
may not be 100
percent but Jamal Shead(knee )and Marcus Sasser(groin)both contributed in the second-round win over Auburn on Saturday– reigniting the Cougars’ hopes of becoming the very first host school in Final 4 history to in fact play in the
Last Four. Down 10 points at halftime, Houston demonstrated how hazardous it can be when it is( mostly)healthy as it outscored the Tigers 50-23 in the 2nd half. Sasser fought through foul problem but still managed to score 22 points in 31 minutes. Shead(10 points)had his battles but played 34 minutes. Tramon Mark( 26 points) joined Sasser as the very first duo in Houston history to score 20 points or more in the NCAA competition considering that 1984. It was a dominant, come-from-behind effort by a Cougars team that is worthy of all the Last Four hype that appeared to subside when Sasser re-aggravated his groin injury in Thursday’s win over Northern Kentucky in the first round. Houston is back on its perch.Up next: vs. Miami( Friday, 7:15 p.m. ET, CBS) 3. UCLA Bruins Initial Seed: No. 2. Reseed: 1 Toward completion of Saturday’s win over Northwestern, Mick Cronin hovered over David Singleton( 9.1 PPG, 43
%from the 3-point line)after the sharpshooter and starter suffered an ankle injury. At this moment, the injury bug appears to be UCLA’s greatest risk. Jaylen Clark, the Pac-12 Protective Player of the Year,has been out since the conference tournament; Adem Bona, a luxury hire
, returned after 2 games out due to a shoulder injury to bet Northwestern.Yet, Cronin’s group continues to overcome those obstacles. How? Jaime Jaquez Jr.( 21.5 PPG, 17-for-28 inside the arc, 40%from 3 in the NCAA competition), the forecasted All-American, has been one of the leading players in the postseason thus far. Five-star hire Amari Bailey (15.5 PPG in 2 NCAA competition games) has actually emerged as a more constant scoring risk. And Tyger Campbell has just 2 turnovers in UCLA’s previous four games.
That’s how.Up next: vs. TCU/Gonzaga(Thursday, 9:45 p.m. ET, CBS ) 4. Texas Longhorns Initial Seed: No. 2. Reseed: 1 When Chris Beard was fired in January, Rodney Terry was extensively viewed as a short-term service for a Texas opening that has actually been attached to a few of the biggest names in college basketball. Terry was just the man till Texas discovered the next man
, right?Terry had other plans. The Longhorns ‘run to the Sweet 16– their first considering that 2008– should provide him the within track on securing that job completely. This Texas team was considered as a potential Last Four group prior to the season. Terry has helped
this program on the course to reach that ceiling, and he deserves credit– and an agreement– for that. Saturday’s victory over Penn State 71-66 on Saturday showcased the depth of this team. Timmy Allen’s defense on Jalen Pickett( 5-for-13, 11 points)restricted the All-American’s effect. Dylan Disu (28 points, 10 rebounds)brought his team on offense. Over the past month, Texas is 8-2(consisting of two wins over Kansas ). If the Longhorns play like this moving forward, they’ll have an opportunity to get to the Last 4 for the first time in 20 years.Up next: vs. Xavier( Friday, 9:45 p.m. ET, CBS ) 5. UConn Huskies Initial Seed: No. 4. Reseed: 2 Through UConn’s first 2 games, there have actually been numerous minutes where the electronic camera has actually concentrated on Adama Sanogo waiting on the bench to run into the game and create chaos. Sanogo has been the most dominant force in the first weekend of the NCAA competition. His numbers checked out like they’re from an Xbox game: 28 points(13-for-17), 13 rebounds and a block versus Iona; 24 points (11-for-16), 8 rebounds
and a block against
Saint Mary’s. Connecticut won its first
two NCAA tournament games by a margin of 39 points integrated as a result of those performances. The Huskies are likewise 22-for-47 from the 3-point line. They’re grabbing a great deal of offensive rebounds and both Iona and Saint Mary’s signed up simply 95 points per 100 ownerships against their protective pressure. Dan Hurley’s squad is playing some championship-level basketball right now.Up next: vs. Arkansas (Thursday, 7:15 p.m. ET, CBS) 6. Tennessee Volunteers Initial Seed: No. 4. Reseed: 2 Long before strength and conditioning programs in college basketball ended up being stylish, Rick Barnes had actually dedicated to developing an unequaled level of physicality within his programs. Ranked first in adjusted protective effectiveness on KenPom, Tennessee’s brawn added to its 65-52 second-round win over Duke– which had won
10 games in a row– and the program’s seventh journey to the Sugary food 16 since 2000. Duke, a top-10 offensive rebounding team in America, protected simply 21 %of its second-chance opportunities against the Vols. And 6-foot-9, 236-pound Olivier Nkamhoua (27 points)bullied heaven Devils, particularly in the second half.Turnovers had actually been a concern following Zakai Ziegler’s season-ending injury, but the Vols devoted just 9 versus Duke. If this plodding, imposing, protective juggernaut continues to play a prudent brand name of basketball, Barnes might reach the Elite Eight for the first time because the 2007-08 season when he was at Texas.Up next: vs. FAU(Thursday, 9 p.m. ET, TBS)< img alt=""src ="https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2250.png?w=110&h=110&transparent=true
“width=”50 “/ > 7. Gonzaga Bulldogs Original Seed: No. 3. Reseed: 2 During their 11-game winning streak, the Bulldogs have won each game by an average of 18.4 PPG. While they don’t have a Jalen Suggs, Chet Holmgren or another forecasted lotto choice, their offending ceiling permits them to separate themselves, even in tight games. Down the stretch against a relentless TCUsquad on Sunday, Gonzaga turned to Drew Timme and likewise
played aggressively around the rim to get free throw attempts.It worked, and now Gonzaga is
back in the Sugary food 16 for the 8th year in a row. This is an elite team that’s getting better at the right time. It’s likewise the worst Gonzaga defense in 16 years. That could be an issue for a team with lots of offending advantages and a difference-maker identified to get them to the 3rd weekend.Up next: vs. UCLA (Thursday, 9:45 p.m. ET, CBS) 8. Kansas State Wildcats Original Seed: No. 3. Reseed: 2 Jerome Tang believed Kansas State had a chance to start an instant turn-around last summer, when he left Baylor– where he was associate head coach and won a nationwide title with the Bears in 2021. He was right. With Keyontae Johnson arriving from Florida and Markquis Nowell
returning for another run, he had a set of anchors who charged this team’s very first go to the Sweet 16 since 2018. Nowell in particular has actually been a secret for opposing backcourts thus far. His playmaking capability and success with pick-and-roll situations make Kansas State a challenge for any defense
. He has actually also shot 43%from 3 in the NCAA competition. Plus, the Wildcats disassembled the offending rhythms of both Montana State and Kentucky, a pair of teams that devoted turnovers on 23 %of their belongings versus them. Tang’s squad has a high level of confidence going into the Sweet 16. It’s simple to see why.Up next: vs. Michigan State (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET, TBS) 9. Xavier Musketeers Initial Seed: No. 3. Reseed: 3 Timing matters. A group that has to handle a major injury simply prior to the start of the NCAA tournament– see: Kansas ‘loss to Arkansas in the second round with Expense Self sidelined for several games following heart surgery– might have problem changing in time to find itself once again. However Xavier lost Zach Freemantle(15.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG)to a season-ending foot injury Feb. 1. While it was a disastrous loss for the program, it occurred
early enough for Sean Miller to reconfigure his lineups.Jerome Hunter, Freemantle’s replacement in the starting lineup, is balancing 19 PPG(14-for-21 inside the arc)through two NCAA competition games. And a Xavier squad that has actually lost just one game given that Feb. 21(7-1)held Kennesaw State and Pitt to approximately 94 points per 100 possessions. However the Musketeers will have to beat better competition to reach the Final Four.Up next: vs. Texas (Friday, 9:45 p.m. ET, CBS ) 10. Creighton Bluejays Initial Seed: No. 6. Reseed: 3 Chosen to win the Big East prior to a turbulent start this season, Creighton is showcasing the adaptability that has made the Bluejays a genuine national championship competitor.
Ryan Nembhard, sibling of Indiana Pacers standout Andrew Nembhard, had 30 points versus Baylor as his group made 46% of its 3-point attempts Sunday. On Friday, when the Bluejays ended up 3-for-20 from beyond the arc in their win over NC State, Ryan Kalkbrenner, a 7-foot-1 star who has made 73%of his shots inside the arc, completed with 31 points.The Bluejays have a varied offense that relies on size, balance and the hothand. After Creighton stumbled early in the season, it was simple to question its postseason goals. However the Bluejays are 14-4 in their past 18 games after reaching the Sweet 16 for simply the 2nd time given that1974. Up next: vs. Princeton( Friday, 9 p.m. ET, TBS)< img alt="" src=”
https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/8.png?w=110&h=110&transparent=true” width=”50″/ > 11. Arkansas Razorbacks Initial Seed: No. 8. Reseed: 3 From Dec. 28 to March 4, Arkansas went 8-11 and made simply 32 %of its 3-point attempts. Yes, the Razorbacks have three NBA potential customers (Nick Smith Jr., Anthony Black and Ricky Council IV), but Eric Musselman struggled to turn that talent into wins at the time. Lost in the discussion, however, was Arkansas ‘effort to become a tougher protective group in the paint.
Its challengers balanced just 46%of their shots inside the arc(No. 22 in the nation)throughout those rocky months.Why does that matter? In Arkansas’NCAA tournament wins over Illinois and Kansas– resulting in Musselman’s 3rd consecutive Sugary food 16 look at Arkansas– the Illini and the Jayhawks registered a 49%clip combinedinside the arc. Illinois (55%)and Kansas (53 %)
fell listed below their particular norms against an Arkansas group that ‘s more serious
about defense these days. That, plus the introduction of players like Davonte Davis(21 points in the 2nd half against Kansas), suggests the Razorbacks now appear like a Final 4 sleeper full of energy and nerve, and with an upset of a No. 1 seed on their résumé.Up next: vs. UConn (Thursday, 7:15 p.m. ET, CBS) 12. San Diego State Aztecs Initial Seed: No. 5.
Reseed: 3 In their 75-52 win over Furman on Saturday, SDSU head coach Brian Dutcher neutralized the group (the Paladins were 16-for-50 from the field )that upset Virginia. That’s been the standard for among America’s best defensive groups. The Aztecs ‘capacity to advance to the Elite 8 and possibly beyond centers on their defensive prowess. During its existing six-game winning streak, SDSU’s challengers have averaged simply 85 points per 100 belongings. For context, Tennessee– ranked initially in adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom– held its SEC opponents to 92.6 points per 100 belongings this season.SDSU, which shoots60.5%from inside the arc, likewise got rolling on offense against Furman. If Matt Bradley(among 4 double-digit scorers Saturday)& Co. continue to play defense at this level and find ways to get containers, they’ll be
a tough challenger to solve.Worth noting? A
Charleston-Furman path to the Sweet 16 was the simplest in the field.Up next: vs. Alabama(Friday, 6:30 p.m. ET, TBS ) 13. Miami Hurricanes Initial Seed: No. 5. Reseed: 4 Miami received a considerable increase with the availability of Norchad Omier, who was doubtful for the NCAA tournament after suffering an ankle injury in the ACC competition. But he was cleared and now has 19 points and 31 rebounds through two NCAA tournament games.Isaiah Wong(27 points against the Hoosiers)continues to fuel a Miami team that reached the Sweet 16 for the
fifth time in school history with its win over Indiana on Sunday. The last ACC team in the field pressed the pace against Drake and IU and will try to do the same in the Sugary food 16. Miami’s defense has been an issue all season(108th in adjusted defensive effectiveness on KenPom
)but it has actually also played some of the best defense of this season over the previous couple days.
If this becomes the standard, a team that boasts among America’s the majority of potent offensive attacks(37%from the 3-point line, 54%inside the arc)will have an opportunity to reach the Elite 8 for the second consecutive season.Up next:vs. Houston(Friday, 7:15 p.m. ET, CBS ) 14. Michigan State Spartans Original Seed: No. 7. Reseed: 4 Among the styles of any NCAA tournament that includes Tom Izzo is that you most likely shouldn’t bet versus Tom Izzo.
The majority of performed in his team’s matchup versus Marquette, the Big East regular season and competition champion, on Sunday. That was a mistake. Now, Izzo is on his method to his 15th Sweet 16 in spite of leading a Michigan State team that lacks the NBA skill that has defined some of his best teams.Tyson Walker has actually refused to yield in this NCAA competition. He hasn’t devoted a turnover through 2 games, and he has actually averaged 17.5 PPG. That’s the type of management Izzo relied on past NCAA competitions. Think Mateen Cleaves, Kalin Lucas, Denzel Valentine and other strong guards who assisted the Spartans blossom in the dance. The Spartans have connected on 55% of their shots inside the arc in this year’s, and limited both USC and Marquette’s second-chance opportunities.
Izzo is outcoaching his peers today and his team is outworking theirs,
too.Up next: vs. Kansas State (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET, TBS) 15. Princeton Tigers Original Seed: No. 15. Reseed: 4 After suffering losses to teams like Delaware(234th on KenPom), Brown( 173rd)and Dartmouth( 260th ), there were no indications the Ivy League regular-season and competition champions would somehow make a go to their first Sweet 16 look considering that 1967. But the Princeton Tigers have illustrated the magic of March as a 15-seed that beat 2-seed Arizona and 7-seed Missouri to accomplish the feat.Can they keep the momentum going? Mitch Henderson’s ability to manage the tempo in the NCAA tournament has worked so far. Despite Arizona leading by double digits late on Thursday, the Wildcats could not extend the lead due to the fact that Princeton dipped into such a methodical pace. Missouri had a comparable issue– it tried to get away a double-digit hole in the 2nd half however could not get the extra ownerships required to cut into Princeton’s lead Saturday. Princeton has balanced simply 8.8 turnovers per game during its six-game winning streak, too. This disciplined group is still a risk for another upset.Up next: vs. Creighton(Friday,
9 p.m. ET, TBS) 16. Florida Atlantic Owls Original Seed: No. 9. Reseed: 4 Sometimes the NCAA tournament has to do with the fortuitous developments that lead the way to the second weekend. That took place for FAU. Memphis players quarrelled in the final minutes of the Owls’ win in the preliminary. And rather of facing 1-seed Purdue in the 2nd, the Owls played Fairleigh Dickinson, which was ranked 298th on KenPom prior to the 2nd 16-over-1 distressed against the Boilermakers.On their way to the very first Sweet 16 in school history– they won their first NCAA tournament game this year, too– Dirty May’s squad signed up 108.5 points per 100 belongings and just 16 turnovers in 2 games. Johnell Davis(20.5 PPG in the NCAA tournament)has actually been a gem for a team that will be treasured on its school forever. Sure, luck helped FAU reach the second weekend. However the Owls have made this too.Up next: vs. Tennessee(Friday, 9 p.m. ET, TBS)