Here are the March Madness Elite Eight 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)
This team just looks different than anyone else. They’re fast, they’re tall, they’re elite on both sides of the ball, and they make very few mistakes. Going to be tough to beat.
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)
A potential injury to Alex Condon doesn’t stop me from ranking the Gators here as the 2nd-most complete team in the nation because of all of their depth and all of the different ways they can beat you.
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)
I don’t think there’s a team in the country that is more battle-tested with the number of quality opponents they have beaten, and they’re 3 more away from a national championship.
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)
I don’t know if there is another coach who adds more to his team than Kelvin Sampson does. The final inbounds play against Purdue was an incredible design and perfectly executed by his players who see his vision.
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)
Zakai Zeigler is playing the best basketball of his storied career right now, and Rick Barnes may take Tennessee to their first-ever Final Four with a win on Sunday.
6. 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)
IF they can make 25 3-pointers every night like they did against BYU, no one is beating them. But that’s one big IF.
7. 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)
Showed a lot of resolve to come back against a dangerous Arkansas team, but I worry they don’t have much gas left in the tank.
8. 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)
I don’t think they have the overall size and athleticism to compete with the top of this list.
