Here are the Sweet 16 March Madness Power Rankings:
1. Duke
DURHAM, NC – DECEMBER 18: A detail view of Nike basketballs prior to the game between the Elon Phoenix and the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
Complete juggernaut. Of the 1-seeds, was given the least amount of trouble on the first weekend.
2. Florida
CHARLESTON, SC – NOVEMBER 22: The Florida Gators logo on a pair of shorts during a second round Charleston Classic basketball game against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes at the TD Arena on November 22, 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Brought their C- game against a very game UConn team and still came out victorious.
3. 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)
Are going to be tough to beat if the recent production from Tahaad Pettiford and Denver Jones continues.
4. Houston
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 18: A detailed view of the “Jumpman” logo on a Houston Cougars jersey against the UAB Blazers during the first half in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
The tough draw continues… after facing a top-10 KenPom team in Gonzaga, now have to face Purdue in Indianapolis. Were done no favors by the committee.
5. Tennessee
CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 29: A detailed view of the “T” logo of the Tennessee Volunteers as they line up for the National Anthem before playing the North Carolina Tar Heels on November 29, 2023 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 100-92. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
Chaz Lanier is starting to play more and more like Dalton Knecht, which could give an additional scoring punch to a team that already plays elite defense.
6. Texas Tech
BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 18: Detailed view of the Texas Tech logo seen on a players uniform during a game against the LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on November 18, 2014 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU won the game in overtime 69-64. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The trio of JT Toppin, Darrion Williams, and Elijah Hawkins is one of, if not the best, trio remaining in the tournament.
7. Alabama
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – APRIL 06: The Alabama Crimson Tide logo shown on a chair of shorts during the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game against the Connecticut Huskies at State Farm Stadium on April 06, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
It only took a full season to figure out how to use Big Cliff, and now have a healthy Grant Nelson to complement him in the front court.
8. Maryland
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – MARCH 03: A view of the Maryland Terrapins logo on their uniform during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Xfinity Center on March 03, 2024 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
A team that has been on the wrong side of heartbreak this season finally had one go their way. Also, I petition to make Derik Queen’s nickname “the Blizzard.”
9. Kentucky
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 17: The Kentucky Wildcats logo on a pair of short during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Providence Friars at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
A true team effort against Illinois where everybody played well. If they get that same full-go Lamont Butler, and another hot shooting game from Koby Brea, they could find themselves in the Final Four.
10. 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)
Were given quite the scare from New Mexico, and I still have questions about who the best 5 guys for this team really are.
11. 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)
Death, taxes, and Michigan playing in close games down the stretch, no matter the opponent.
12. BYU
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 29: Egor Demin #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars dribbles the ball during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the Rady Children’s Invitational at LionTree Arena on November 29, 2024 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Outlasted Wisconsin in one of the most well-played games of the NCAA Tournament.
13. Arizona
MADISON, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 15: A picture of the Arizona Wildcats logo on shorts during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on November 15, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Dug themselves quite a hole against Oregon, just to climb back out. But if it happens against Duke, they will just bury you
14. Purdue
COLLEGE PARK, MD – JANUARY 10: The Purdue Boilermakers logo on their uniform during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on January 10, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
Trey Kaufman-Renn versus the Houston frontcourt is going to be a sight to behold.
15. Arkansas
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 22: The Arkansas Razorbacks logo on a par of shorts during a second round game of the Maui Jim Invitational college basketball Tournament against the Creighton Bluejays at Lahaina Civic Arena on November 22, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Finally playing like the team everyone thought they could be in the preseason, thanks to great production from Jonas Aidoo.
16. 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)
I worry about shooting regression coming for a team that has now shot over 40% from 3 in two straight games, and would have lost both if they didn’t.
