| 1 |
|
| No change on the high after two dominant wins from the reigning nationwide champs. UConn by no means trailed and held a lead for greater than 77 of the 80 minutes performed towards Stetson and Northwestern, overwhelming each opponents in numerous methods. First was a well-rounded effort within the opening spherical with all 5 starters scoring in double-digits, then towards Northwestern it was the one-two punch of Tristen Newton and Donovan Clingan main the best way together with some stellar first-half protection. Different high groups impressed as effectively, however the pace-setter on this event chase didn’t let up one bit. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 1 |
| 2 |
|
| Wins of 28 and 39 factors have the Boilermakers trying nearer to UConn than the remainder of the No. 1 seeds, as Purdue was capable of each shed the stink of final 12 months’s FDU loss and e book its Candy 16 spot with an emphatic win towards the regular-season champions from the Mountain West. Zach Edey imposed his will averaging 26.5 factors and 17.5 rebounds throughout the 2 wins, and his companies weren’t even wanted within the ultimate phases of each blowout wins. Once we’re breaking down the replenish, inventory down image of the groups remaining within the NCAA Event, Purdue is firmly within the replenish class. There’s not loads of room to maneuver up since they’re already within the high tier, however no matter ranking you had going into the event must be larger going into the second weekend. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 3 |
| 3 |
|
| The Tar Heels had one of many hardest second-round attracts of any high seed, having to face a Michigan State staff that returned a lot of the core from final 12 months’s Candy 16 run and began the season within the high 5 of the AP Prime 25 ballot. North Carolina not solely handed the check however did so with flying colours, overcoming an early deficit to drag away and defeat the Spartans by double-digits. When this staff has not solely ACC Participant of the Yr R.J. Davis operating scorching, however the complimentary items like Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan, the Tar Heels are able to beating anybody within the nation. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 4 |
| 4 |
|
| Credit score the Coogs for a powerful response after Texas A&M got here roaring again to power time beyond regulation, however we’re docking them just a few spots due to how and why the Aggies have been capable of set themselves up for an unlikely buzzer-beater. Houston’s protection, which has been the category of school basketball for a number of years over, allowed Texas A&M to attain 95 factors at 1.2 factors per possession. Houston is within the Candy 16 for the fifth straight season, and that have benefited a veteran-led group that wanted to intestine out and win with a number of starters fouled out within the closing minutes. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 2 |
| 5 |
|
| Lengthy Seashore State made issues attention-grabbing early and Dayton made issues attention-grabbing late, however at any time when Arizona was pushed throughout its opening weekend motion, the Wildcats had a powerful response. And whereas this can be a group that averaged 81.5 factors per recreation throughout the 2 wins, probably the most encouraging takeaway might have been on the defensive aspect. Dayton has a talented and versatile offense that causes loads of matchup issues for opponents, and Arizona was capable of combine it up and maintain the Flyers to one in all their least environment friendly performances of the season. Deep runs within the NCAA Event require successful in numerous methods, and Arizona confirmed that on its path to the Candy 16. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 6 |
| 6 |
|
| The Cyclones in all probability fall into the “meets expectations” class after beating South Dakota State by 17 and Washington State by 11. It was actually an extension of the top-end type Iowa State confirmed on the best way to a Massive 12 Event title, and all 5 of the postseason wins have included the wedding of elite protection with offensive performances that have been a step up from the best way the Cyclones performed for a lot of the season. That offensive enchancment is essential for the following spherical, squaring off towards one of the vital prolific scoring groups within the nation in Illinois. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 8 |
| 7 |
|
| On paper, the resume didn’t get a serious enhance by taking down the champs from the Ohio Valley Convention and the Atlantic 10, however man Illinois’ type seemed sharp in dismantling each Morehead State and Duquesne en path to this system’s first Candy 16 look since 2005. The Combating Illini carried over their championship type from the Massive Ten Event to this week’s opening rounds, averaging 87.0 factors per recreation throughout two double-digit wins and flexing firepower that few groups remaining within the subject can match. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 12 |
| 8 |
|
| Two-game skids at Duke could make it really feel like every part is falling aside, so when the Blue Devils entered the event with back-to-back losses to North Carolina and NC State, it was simple to promote a bit of little bit of inventory their possibilities to make a deep run. However after a rocky begin towards Vermont, Duke caught fireplace and carried it over into the second-round win towards a frisky James Madison staff. Is it prisoner of the second to maneuver Duke up within the wake of a 38-point win towards the Solar Belt champions? Probably. However the offensive ceiling displayed within the win is extra in keeping with Duke’s potential than what the staff confirmed in these disappointing late-season losses. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 13 |
| 9 |
|
| This is likely one of the greatest changes by way of the seeding order, nevertheless it comes after Gonzaga confirmed a thunderous type in back-to-back wins towards McNeese and Kansas. Each wins have been by 21 factors, however they got here in numerous trend. Generally, that may be much more spectacular. The Zags blitzed McNeese early, eliminating any hope for the favored 5-12 upset decide, then pulled away late towards the shorthanded Jayhawks, locking down on the defensive aspect after a particularly aggressive begin. Mark Few must be pleased with the best way this group has rounded into type over the past 5 or 6 weeks, and we’re upgrading the Bulldogs in a serious method heading into the Candy 16. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 21 |
| 10 |
|
| Within the massive image, Marquette followers are thrilled to see Tyler Kolek wholesome once more and arising with clutch performs when the staff wants it most. The ceiling for what the Golden Eagles can accomplish is reliant on having Kolek operating the present, and by way of him getting again in rhythm, the weekend was a hit. However each the primary half towards Western Kentucky and a few of the late phases of the Colorado win noticed Marquette on its heels a bit of bit, so there is a slight step again amongst a crowded group right here in the midst of the rankings. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 7 |
| 11 |
|
| Emotionally, there may be loads of juice behind this staff after outlasting Oregon in an all-time double-overtime epic to advance to the Candy 16. However that was additionally a recreation that possibly did not want as a lot drama if the Jays had been a bit of bit sharper offensively earlier than pulling away within the second time beyond regulation. I believe we noticed sufficient to consider this staff can attain the Elite Eight for a second 12 months in a row, however I am not making a dramatic change to their spot within the seed order primarily based on the wins towards the MAC and Pac-12 event champions. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 10 |
| 12 |
|
| The Volunteers had higher wins as an entire than loads of these different groups in the midst of the rankings, however the type left one thing to be desired. Tennessee’s offense was woeful in its second-round win towards Texas, capturing simply 33.8% from the sector together with a 3-of-25 exhibiting from behind the arc. The inspiration of Rick Barnes’ Tennessee program has been a DNA of rock stable defensive effort, and the Vols wanted to depend on that with a view to get into the Candy 16. However to advance additional would require Tennessee’s shooters to have extra success in Detroit than they did in Charlotte on Saturday evening. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 5 |
| 13 |
|
| Broadly projected as one of many single-digit seeds most certainly to get bounced within the first spherical, Clemson put collectively two of its finest performances of the season on the good time in wins over New Mexico and Baylor. Consistency has been the problem with Clemson this 12 months, boasting wins towards North Carolina and Alabama but in addition carrying losses to Notre Dame and Boston Faculty. The true key to the Tigers’ success was an impressed effort on the defensive finish, limiting a pair of potent opponents to offensive outputs effectively under their season common. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 22 |
| 14 |
|
| The Aztecs have been pushed practically to the brink within the first spherical towards UAB, escaping with a 69-65 win. Then San Diego State did the precise reverse of enjoying right down to the competitors within the second spherical, racing previous Yale in a 85-57 win. Jaedon LeDee has been an absolute star this season and he is backed it up within the NCAA Event, scoring 58 factors within the two wins. Whereas these rankings have some groups transferring up and others taking a step again, San Diego State largely holds its place within the order after a grade that provides as much as assembly expectations if you mix the slim win on Friday and the blowout victory Sunday evening. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 18 |
| 15 |
|
| Issues bought a bit of too bushy towards Grand Canyon within the second spherical to present a passing grade to the Crimson Tide, who deserve credit score for overcoming accidents and foul bother in a road combat of a recreation towards the Lopes. Nonetheless, there’s quite a bit right here to scrub up. Alabama’s wins towards the No. 13 and No. 12 seeds within the West Area got here by 13 and 11 factors, respectively, however the first one included 96 factors allowed and the second, towards GCU, noticed the Tide trailing by three with six minutes left within the second half. The offensive ceiling for this staff is among the many finest within the nation, and Mark Sears is the sort of level guard who can put the Tide on his again in high-pressure event conditions, however with different groups trying extra spectacular, we have got a slight downgrade for the 4-seed from the West. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 16 |
| 16 |
|
| The Wolfpack are on an all-time postseason heater, successful 5 video games in 5 days within the ACC Event and now advancing to the Candy 16 after upsetting Texas Tech after which outlasting Oakland in time beyond regulation. If we’re grading these groups primarily based on how spectacular, thrilling or entertaining the event has been to date, then NC State is a top-five staff remaining within the subject. However to incorporate any seeding-specific or resume-related evaluation would depart NC State, a staff that was not within the event image previous to claiming the ACC’s automated bid, close to the underside of the group. Authentic NCAA Event seed: 45 |
