/https%3A%2F%2Fgreatestshot.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F03%2FUSATSI_25750565-scaled.jpg)
After just one weekend of exciting NCAA Tournament games, we have whittled the field down to 16 teams. All four 1-seeds remain while a couple of surprise teams make up the rest of the remaining field. Let’s take a quick look at the teams still standing and power ranking the 16 schools looking to punch their ticket to San Antonio.
1. Duke (1-seed, East)
The Blue Devils are a well-oiled machine. Their Round of 32 matchup against Baylor was knotted up at 24 with seven minutes left in the first half. It was a Duke avalanche from then on. They finished the half on a 23-6 run and cruised the rest of the way. Cooper Flagg was unstoppable getting to the basket and finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Tyrese Proctor went 9-of-10 from the field and went 13-of-16 from three in the opening weekend. Jon Scheyer’s team is averaging 91 PPG through two tournament games, and freshman Kon Knueppel has barely been a factor. Arizona has played well, but the Blue Devils already knocked off the Wildcats back in November 69-55.
2. Florida (1-seed, West)
Despite Auburn earning the No. 1 overall seed, the two top teams entering the tournament by most measures were Duke and Florida. The Gators’ high-powered offense was on full display in the first half of their Round of 64 matchup against Norfolk State — scoring 53 points before the break. Some adversity was expected in their second game against the back-to-back champion UConn Huskies. A brilliant late-game performance from first-team All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr. ended UConn’s dreams of a three-peat. Florida’s depth could prove to be a difference-maker in its Sweet 16 matchup versus a top-heavy Maryland team.
3. Houston (1-seed, Midwest)
Houston’s highly-anticipated matchup versus Gonzaga was a tale of two halves. In the first, the Cougars’ vaunted defense held the Zags to just 27 points. Halftime adjustments paid off for the Bulldogs who exploded for 49 points after the break and nearly knocked off the first 1-seed. Even after a rocky half, the Cougars were able to lock in for Gonzaga’s last offensive possession to prevent a potential overtime period. They may need to increase their three-point volume against a perimeter-based Purdue squad. The Boilermakers went 11-of-26 from three in their win over McNeese. Houston’s LJ Cryer knocked down six threes in the Gonzaga win, but the rest of the Cougars had only five attempts from beyond the arc. Purdue will try to turn the game into a math equation, and Houston has a chance to be upset if they lose the number’s game.
4. Auburn (1-seed, South)
The last of the 1-seeds, Auburn needed a second-half comeback to topple Creighton. The Tigers entered halftime trailing after the Bluejays knocked down eight triples. It was all Auburn in the second half. National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome finished with just eight points (four in the second half), and the Tigers still managed to put up 47 in the second half. Freshman Tahaad Pettiford poured in 23 off the bench. Auburn’s guards will have an advantage over Michigan’s backcourt. If Pettiford, Miles Kelly, and Denver Jones play well, the Tigers will have a great chance to advance to the Elite Eight.
5. Texas Tech (3-seed, West)
Jumping ahead of all the remaining 2-seeds is Texas Tech, the 3-seed in the West region. The Red Raiders were viewed as a potential title team but entered the tournament nursing a few key injuries. Darrion Williams recovering in time for the NCAAs was a boon. He starred against Drake, registering 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in the 77-64 win. Next on his way to a return is Texas Tech sharpshooter Chance McMillian. Reports are indicating that McMillian — who has been out since March 13 — may be back in time for Thursday’s matchup against Arkansas. If he’s able to play, the Red Raiders may have the deepest roster in the entire field.
6. Alabama (2-seed, East)
Alabama faced an early scare versus Robert Morris. The Colonials took the lead with seven minutes remaining. Alabama scored 26 points in the last 6:40 to come out with a win. It wasn’t a matter of missing shots — Alabama shot 58.6-percent from the field — but 12 turnovers set the offense back a bit. With Grant Nelson back in the main rotation in the Round of 32 (played just seven minutes vs. RMU), the Crimson Tide had an easier time thwarting the Gaels of Saint Mary’s. We’ve seen this team struggle defensively throughout the year, but holding the WCC regular season champions to 34-percent shooting is no easy feat. Facing off against a high-powered offense in BYU should make for one of the most exciting Sweet 16 matchups.
7. Tennessee (2-seed, Midwest)
A stingy defense and Chaz Lanier was enough for the Vols to get past a pesky UCLA team in the Round of 32. That’s the same formula Rick Barnes’ team has used all year. They held the Bruins to just 35.8-percent shooting on the day, and Lanier led all scorers with 20 points (4-of-5 from three). However, that formula did not work in their first two meetings this year against Kentucky. The Wildcats averaged 45 points in the second half in their two wins over the Vols in the regular season. Lanier was 0-of-7 from three when they faced off in February. It’s never easy defeating a team three times in one season, but Kentucky might just have Tennessee’s number.
8. Michigan State (2-seed, South)
The Spartans had to dig deep against the Lobos. Freshman star Jase Richardson had his worst game in months, starting 0-of-9 from the field. Despite the struggles, Michigan State remained focused on both ends of the floor and executed down the stretch. Their ability to get to the basket and create contact ultimately led to the victory as Michigan State outscored New Mexico 19-to-5 at the charity stripe. We’ll see if Richardson can shake off a tough day as the Spartans attempt to extinguish the red-hot Rebels in the Sweet 16.
9. Maryland (4-seed, West)
Maryland blitzed Grand Canyon in its opening-round matchup, making quick work of the Lopes in a lopsided 81-49 victory. It was clear early on in their Round of 32 game versus Colorado State that it wasn’t going to be quite as easy. The Rams led by seven entering halftime, and were up by as many as 12 at one point. A three-pointer from Colorado State star Jalen Lake gave the Rams a late lead, but Maryland freshman Derik Queen saved the day and delivered the first buzzer-beating winner of this year’s tournament. The “Crab Five” scored 70 of the Terps’ 72 points in Sunday’s win, and will try to take down the 1-seed Florida Gators in a highly-anticipated showdown Thursday.
10. Arizona (4-seed, East)
Arizona demolished Akron — a trendy upset pick — in its opening game. The Wildcats then faced off against a familiar foe the Oregon Ducks. In what was one of the most entertaining games of the first weekend, Arizona outlasted Oregon in a battle between former Pac-12 schools. Wildcat guard Caleb Love always seems to elevate his play in March. Now, the former Tar Heel gets to take on another familiar opponent the Duke Blue Devils. Love had 29 points in the win over Oregon on Sunday — his highest-scoring game in the tournament since the 2022 Final Four when UNC ended Duke’s season and Coach K’s career.
11. Kentucky (3-seed, Midwest)
Under first-year coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats were able to avoid an early exit and are playing in their first Sweet 16 since 2019. Kentucky ended the regular season poorly by getting drubbed by Alabama in the SEC Tournament (99-70), but has picked up two quality wins already in the NCAAs. First was a blowout victory over Troy where the Wildcats led by 25 points at one point in the second half. Next, a tricky matchup versus Illinois and potential NBA Lottery pick Kasparas Jakucionis. Kentucky’s pressure proved to be too much for Brad Underwood’s team, collecting 14 steals on the day. The Wildcats have already beaten their Sweet 16 opponent, Tennessee, twice this season and will be looking for a clean sweep on Friday.
12. Purdue (4-seed, Midwest)
Purdue’s first two tournament games were decided by 12 points and 14 points. However, both contests were wildly different experiences. The Boilermakers’ opening-round matchup versus High Point ended 75-63 and was tightly contested. The Big South champions cut Purdue’s lead to just three points with seven minutes remaining. An experienced and battle-tested Purdue team made the plays down the stretch to pull out a win. Their Round of 32 matchup versus McNeese was a one-sided blowout. Purdue had an 18-point lead entering half which ballooned to 26 in the second half. The final score of 76-62 was the closest it got in the second half. The trio of Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, and Fletcher Loyer is as good as any in the country and will need to be clicking on all cylinders if Purdue wants to upset the 1-seed Houston.
13. Michigan (5-seed, South)
14. BYU (6-seed, East)
The Cougars have shown off their electric offense to the country through two tourney games. VCU was gaining steam as an upset pick entering the Round of 64, but BYU was able to take down the Rams with a relentless attack. The more physical team all game, BYU shot 28 free throws to VCU’s six. A Round of 32 matchup against Wisconsin featured two lethal offenses going back and forth. The Cougars netted 12 threes and star Richie Saunders scored 25 points in the 91-89 win. If this group gets hot from beyond the arc, they can upset anybody in the field.
15. Ole Miss (6-seed, South)
Chris Beard and the Runnin’ Rebels have already silenced a ton of critics. Going up against a surging North Carolina team in the Round of 64 was a difficult draw. After a dominant first half from Ole Miss, Hubert Davis’ Tar Heels put together an impressive comeback and made it a one-possession game in the final minute. Ole Miss guard Sean Pedulla came up clutch once again, scoring the last five points of the game to seal the victory. They got off to another quick start against Iowa State in the Round of 32, but played a more complete second half and doused the Cyclones to advance to the Sweet 16. Their late struggles in SEC play had many thinking the Rebels would make an early exit in the NCAA Tournament. Instead, Beard’s team is playing with a ton of confidence and have a chance to advance to the first Elite Eight in school history.
16. Arkansas (10-seed, West)
This year’s “Cinderella” is not exactly an underdog. An SEC team led by John Calipari will always have a chance to find success in March. The Razorbacks stunned Rick Pitino and St. John’s last Saturday, holding the Big East champions to 28-percent shooting in a dominant defensive performance. That came just two days after Calipari’s team took down Bill Self and the preseason No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks. This is an Arkansas team that is filled with talent and won’t back down from any opponent after navigating through a difficult SEC schedule.
