BROOKLYN, NY – March 24: The March Madness logo on the floor before a second round NCAA Tournament game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Northwestern Wildcats at Barclays Center on March 24, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images)
Here are the March Madness South Region Power Rankings:
1. Auburn
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 25: The Auburn Tigers logo show on a pair of shorts during a Maui Invitational college basketball game against the Iowa State Cyclones at The Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2024 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
A little end-of-season slump does not deter me from putting Johni Broome and the Tigers at the top spot.
2. Michigan State
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – JANUARY 21: A view of the Michigan State Spartans logo on their uniform during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on January 21, 2024 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
The development of Jase Richardson has turned Tom Izzo’s squad into a serious Final Four threat.
3. Iowa State
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 17: The Iowa State Cyclones logo on. Pair of shorts during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The injury to Keshon Gilbert just means more dependency on Curtis Jones and Tamin Lipsey to carry the load in the tournament.
4. UC San Diego
The prototype of a double-digit seed that can make the Sweet 16 – they shoot it well, force turnovers, and have a potential March legend in Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones
5. Michigan
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 29: The Michigan Wolverines logo on the uniform shorts worn during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike’s Arena on February 29, 2024 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Michigan 82-52. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Dusty May’s squad knows how to win close games – but all you have to do is play with fire one too many times to get burned.
6. Texas A&M
CONWAY, SC – NOVEMBER 18: The Texas A&M Aggies logo on a pair of shorts during a second round game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational college basketball game against the Colorado Buffaloes at HTC Center on November 18, 2022 in Conway, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Wade Taylor IV is going to have to do his best Kemba Walker impression to get this team out of the first two rounds – they are very offensively challenged.
7. Marquette
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 15: The Marquette Golden Eagles logo shown on a pair of shorts during the Big East Basketball Tournament Semifinals against the Providence Friars at Madison Square Garden on March 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
How far can Kam Jones carry this squad on his back?
8. Louisville
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 12: A view of the Louisville Cardinals logo on their uniform during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the First Round of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
A little bit of a raw job on seeding for Pat Kelsey’s first trip to the dance with the Cardinals.
9. Ole Miss
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 18: The Mississippi Rebels logo on a pair of shorts during the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic college basketball game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at TD Arena on November 18, 2021 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
We have seen Chris Beard take an over-achieving team on a run in March before, but can he do it with this Rebels squad?
10. Creighton
OMAHA, NE- NOVEMBER 06: The Creighton Bluejays logo shown on the floor prior to a college basketball game against the UTRGV Vaqueros at CHI Health Center on November 06, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Going to have to take care of the basketball more effectively if they want to even make it out of the first round
11. North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 14: A general view of the NC logo on the shorts of RJ Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels. During a game against the La Salle Explorers at Dean E. Smith Center on December 14, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 93-67. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
Playing their best basketball at the right time, and the team that everyone says didn’t deserve to be here, tends to prove that they belong here.
12. New Mexico
The Lobos, led by star guard Donovan Dent, are one of the most fun to watch teams in the country, but it’s to be determined how long we get to watch them.
13. Yale
The smartest team in the field returned most of the roster that upset Auburn in the first round last year
14. San Diego State
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Brian Dutcher of the San Diego State Aztecs speaks to the ref after a call against the Houston Cougars in the second half of their game during the Players Era Festival basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aztecs defeated the Cougars 73-70 in overtime. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Limping into the tournament as losers of 2 of their last 3 and are playing without freshman center Magoon Gwath due to injury.
15. Lipscomb
Dominated the ASUN this year, but we’re not in Tennessee anymore.
16. Bryant
Generic view of a Spalding NBA basketball dropping into the hoop during the FIBA European Basketball Championship on 25 June 1989 at the Dom Sportova in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. (Photo by Gray Mortimore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
One of the tallest teams in all of division I, but height alone does not win basketball games.
17. Alabama State
Balanced squad that has only lost once since February 8th, and should be favored in their First Four game
18. St Francis
Photo: Shutterstock
One of the worst teams to make the NCAA Tournament in recent memory
