1. Auburn Tigers
Knocking off Kentucky was impressive, but the fact they did it with little production from Broome is scary. Auburn is a machine.
2. Duke Blue Devils
Tyrese Proctor is back and the Blue Devils train continues to roll. Can they get over the hump in March?
3. Houston Cougars
This is a team that nobody wants to see. The Cougars are top five in both defensive efficiency and three-point shooting.
4. Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols have their flaws but they are also tough as nails. They will fight it out with other SEC teams for a second one-seed for the conference.
5. Florida Gators
What an impressive season for Todd Golden and the Gators. Walter Clayton is an All-American and they have all the tools to make a Final Four.
6. St. John’s Red Storm
It only took two season for Pitino to turn this thing around. The Red Storm are a juggernaut on defense, but they need more consistency offensively in the tournament.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide have taken some tough losses to big time competition over the last couple of weeks. If they can knock off Florida, that 1-seed is within reach.
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Tech is back to full health and continue to display metrics that are indicative of a Final Four ceiling. Darrion Williams can be “that guy” for them.
9. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans can play with anyone. Coach Izzo is starting to unleash Jase Richardson who is one of the most efficient players in the country.
10. Iowa State Cyclones
Another case of a team starting to get healthy again. The Cyclones desperately need Curtis Jones to find the magic from earlier in the year.
11. Clemson Tigers
The Tigers continue to roll along without much expectation. Dillon Hunter’s improvement has given them another weapon in the backcourt.
12. Maryland Terrapins
The “Crab Five” are for real. This team is equipped to win in any style which is very valuable in the tournament. Selton Miguel has been lighting it up.
13. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers have shown some inconsistency recently. Steven Crowl has to be at his best if they want to go far this postseason.
14. Missouri Tigers
While the Tigers have had a remarkable year compared to expectations, they have some question marks defensively.
15. Louisville Cardinals
Cardinals fans did not expect to be sitting in position to make a 3 or 4-seed. Luckily most of the transfers they brought in have tourney experience.
16. Memphis Tigers
No collapse this year as Penny is officially off any type of “heated seat”. PJ Haggerty is in position to become a household name this Spring.
17. St. Mary’s Gaels
Hard not to like the Gaels makeup on both ends of the floor. Jordan Ross and Mikey Lewis need to be consistent as we get into March.
18. Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers finally ended a four-game skid this weekend. If teams are consistently able to disrupt Braden Smith, someone else has to step up.
19. Michigan Wolverines
Not the prettiest loss to Illinois but the Wolverines are still dangerous. Vlad Goldin has become one of the top bigs nationally.
20. Marquette Golden Eagles
Marquette is kind of just hanging around after a recent slump. Kam Jones getting back to super-human form will certainly help their prospects.
21. BYU Cougars
Is there a hotter team in the country? The Cougars are very impressive on the offensive end and have experience.
22. Kentucky Wildcats
Yikes, Jaxson Robinson is out for the year and Lamont Butler is banged up. Still they have the talent to win some games in the tourney but it has to start defensively.
23. Arizona Wildcats
They are the one of the hardest teams to figure out with a wide range between floor and ceiling this postseason. Of course, it all comes down to Caleb Love.
24. Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies are stumbling down the stretch and are in desperate need of some momentum. Offensively they will struggle but the defense is good enough to make some noise.
25. Mississippi Rebels
Another incredible turnaround by Chris Beard and his staff. They have a collection of guards that can get it done but can they find consistent production in the frontcourt?
