By this time subsequent week solely 68 groups will likely be left and a ravishing bracket will likely be crammed out and adjusted numerous instances earlier than it in the end will get busted earlier than the second weekend. Take all of it in and benefit from the journey faculty basketball followers!
As we put together for the remainder of the convention tournaments to start, let’s check out who’s getting sizzling at simply the proper time within the ultimate Energy 16 rankings of the common season!
1. UConn (28-3)
A yr after securing the varsity’s fourth NCAA Event championship this century, Dan Hurley has the Huskies favored to do it once more on the conclusion of the common season. With advanced offensive schemes, gifted gamers at each stage and unparalleled swagger up and down the roster, UConn must be a well-liked choose to win all of it when the bracket releases in per week.
2. Houston (28-3)
Whoever claimed Houston was fraudulent the previous few seasons due to its participation in a weak American Athletic Convention owes Kelvin Sampson an apology. The Cougars completed out an outright title within the nation’s hardest convention with a 30-point thrashing of Kansas on Saturday. Houston will rightfully be one other fashionable alternative to chop down the nets in Phoenix.
3. Purdue (28-3)
One other yr, one other Massive Ten title for Matt Painter and the Boilermakers. Zach Edey was sensational on Saturday with 32 factors and 11 rebounds to clinch a minimum of a share of that title however it would solely take one win or an Illinois loss to make it outright. Two extra titles might simply be on the way in which with him and the remainder of the Boilermakers seemingly hitting their stride at simply the proper time.
4. Kentucky (23-8)
Saturday’s win in Knoxville was only a fruits of what Kentucky has carried out the final a number of weeks. With gifted freshmen like Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner lastly figuring it out, and the continued excellence of Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves and Rob Dillingham, the Wildcats are probably the most gifted and most harmful staff within the sport at their greatest.
5. North Carolina (25-6)
The Cormac Ryan (pictured) legacy recreation got here at an ideal time and feels reminiscent to when one other first-year switch took over towards Duke years in the past in Brady Manek. This yr’s North Carolina staff has an identical swagger to the 2022 nationwide runners-ups with way more common season success to again it up.
6. Tennessee (24-7)
The loss to Kentucky was disappointing however doesn’t take away from the outright common season title the Volunteers will take into the SEC Event this week. With Dalton Knecht and his deadly offensive arsenal complementing one of many nation’s greatest defenses, this yr’s Tennessee staff is completely different, in a greater approach, with the power to win video games on each ends of the ground.
7. Arizona (24-7)
An unpleasant loss over the weekend places a damper on an in any other case spectacular finish to the season for the Wildcats. It additionally ought to strike concern into anybody wanting to choose them to go on a deep run because the upset bug that led to a loss to Princeton final season continues to be an issue in 2024. Might one other early exit be on the horizon?
8. Iowa State (24-7)
I’m undecided anybody predicted Houston and Iowa State to complete first and second within the Massive 12 standings coming into the yr however these persevering with to underestimate the Cyclones will achieve this at their very own peril when filling out brackets. Anchored by the nation’s second-best protection and an aggressiveness that rivals Houston, Iowa State will likely be one of many final groups coaches will wish to see within the first few rounds of the NCAA Event.
9. Duke (24-7)
Each time it appears to be like prefer it may be time to start out believing within the Blue Devils, they lay an egg in an enormous alternative to construct some momentum. UNC’s season sweep will sting however the season is much from over so long as any person decides they wish to present up within the season’s greatest video games within the coming weeks.
10. Marquette (23-8)
The Golden Eagles did higher than anticipated with out Tyler Kolek this week, even snagging a street win on the Cintas Heart to wrap up the common season. They’ll want their star level guard again to have any likelihood of constructing noise in both postseason match this month.
11. Creighton (23-8)
It was a strong end to the yr for Creighton who jumped as much as the two-seed within the Massive East Event with a win over Marquette this week. The outlook is straightforward for the Blue Jays: make threes, win video games; miss threes, go residence. We noticed in final month’s rout of UConn that the previous model can beat anybody however the different… might go residence very early in March Insanity.
12. Baylor (22-9)
Baylor at all times appears to maintain video games shut however the incapability to blow groups out might come again to chunk them within the postseason. Closing out video games will solely get tougher the following few weeks and if the Bears hold letting groups cling round, luck will ultimately run out.
13. Gonzaga (24-6)
The Zags return to motion Monday night time after greater than per week off however will they be capable to hold the momentum of an eight-game profitable streak rolling? Two extra wins and a WCC title might lead to Mark Few’s group being a VERY fashionable “Cinderella” Ultimate 4 staff in brackets throughout the nation.
14. Auburn (24-7)
KenPom nonetheless has Auburn because the fourth staff in faculty basketball, and whereas I vehemently disagree, it’s fairly clear that the product on the court docket is without doubt one of the greatest in faculty basketball. The Tigers completed the common season with none wins by single digits, which will be interpreted both approach, but when they’re going to make a run at a nationwide championship, that’s actually going to have to vary. The query is whether or not the gamers will likely be ready for it.
15. South Carolina (25-6)
The Gamecocks prevailed at Mississippi State to cap off an unbelievable common season in Lamont Paris’ second season in Columbia. These guys are official contenders within the SEC Event and no matter regional they’re positioned in on Choice Sunday regardless of what a few of the metrics might say.
16. Illinois (23-8)
A 17-2 run to start out Sunday’s recreation at Iowa propelled the Illini to a formidable win to shut out a terrific common season within the Massive Ten. Illinois is one other staff that’s inconsistency bought the perfect of them at instances, however the ceiling is without doubt one of the highest within the nation heading into the postseason. It’s only a matter of which staff exhibits up when it issues most.
Subsequent 5: Utah State, Saint Mary’s, BYU, Nevada, Texas
Gamers of the Week:
Cormac Ryan, No. 7 North Carolina Tar Heels
We talked a bit bit about Ryan already however his efficiency is worthy of a bit bit extra recognition. The Notre Dame switch shortly knocked down three triples to place UNC up large early and after going quiet for a short time, closed out the sport with three extra within the second half at essential moments.
Reed Sheppard, No. 15 Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky followers are operating out of phrases to explain their hometown hero after Sheppard placed on a 3-point capturing clinic down the stretch of an 85-81 win over No. 4 Tennessee. The freshman completed with 27 factors on 7-10 capturing from past the arc to shut out the common season with an absurd 52.6 3-point proportion.
That proportion is presently the sixth-best in a season since 1992-93 and will simply enhance with how assured Sheppard is letting it fly proper now.
Dalton Knecht, No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols might need misplaced however Knecht was the final individual accountable with a career-high 40 factors towards Kentucky. Sheppard’s staff got here out on high however Knecht put the ultimate nail within the coffin on his bid to win SEC Participant of the 12 months in his first season in Knoxville.
Kam Jones, No. 8 Marquette Golden Eagles
A special lefty was thrust into the first playmaker position out of the backcourt this week and Jones shined in it towards Xavier on Saturday. The explosive junior detonated for his third 30-point efficiency within the final six video games and added 9 assists within the win as properly. It’s video games like this that may power NBA groups to take an extended take a look at him this summer season.
Jalen Bridges, No. 11 Baylor Bears
Baylor is loaded with expertise within the backcourt and at middle as Yves Missi continues his ascension all through his freshman yr. That makes Bridges the X-factor on the wing, and he didn’t disappoint on Monday night time with a ridiculous 32-point effort towards Texas on 6-7 capturing from past the arc. Recognized for his athleticism and protection, if Bridges can contribute even simply 15 factors it’s seen as a significant increase. 32 makes Baylor unstoppable.
Play of the Week
The darkish facet of March is upon us. Appalachian State managed the Solar Belt all season lengthy, and even knocked off Auburn in December, however due to this double-clutch buzzer-beater, the Mountaineers received’t be busting any brackets this month. Right here’s the shot that took them down and despatched Arkansas State to the Solar Belt Championship recreation!
https://x.com/MarchMadnessMBB/standing/1766981043200860363?s=20
Video Credit score: @MarchMadnessMBB on Twitter
