Myron Medcalf
Multiple Authors
We’re again to rank the remaining 32 teams in the 2026 males’s NCAA event.
In previous years, we known as this a reseeding, however we have scrapped that strategy to reply this query: Who are the finest remaining teams in the area?
This season, the reply is difficult. Partially as a result of we do not know who might be out there for the second spherical. Will Patrick Ngongba II return for Duke? What about Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson, who suffered an ankle harm early in Friday’s win over Tennessee State? Tyler Bilodeau missed UCLA’s victory over UCF in the opening spherical. UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. equally sat out Friday. Alabama did not have an harm, but it surely did appear to take a step again with out embattled star Aden Holloway because it superior previous Hofstra.
The subsequent spherical additionally does not look significantly chalky. The high 4 seeds in every area went 4-0 in the spherical of 64 for the second straight yr and for the seventh time since growth in 1985. But all 4 9-seeds additionally superior — the first time this has occurred since 2019 and the sixth time total in event historical past. And, we have now a handful of double-digit seeds.
Still, based mostly on what we all know proper now, and taking a look at the outcomes from the opening spherical — and largely the full physique of labor for every workforce — we have produced these rankings.
See how the spherical of 32 was set:
Thursday | Friday
1. Arizona Wildcats
Original seed: No. 1 (West)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 16 Long Island 92-58 (Friday)
Jaden Bradley, the Big 12 Player of the Year, scored simply seven in Friday’s win over Long Island — and the Wildcats nonetheless had 92 factors. Brayden Burries (18 factors) and Koa Peat (15 factors), a pair of NBA prospects, have been two of 5 Zona gamers who had eight or extra factors, persevering with their success as a balanced squad. Also of word: Tommy Lloyd’s squad is 39% from the 3-point line throughout its present 10-game profitable streak.
Up subsequent: vs. Utah State (Sunday, 7:50 p.m. ET, truTV)
2. Duke Blue Devils
Original seed: No. 1 total (East)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 16 Siena 71-65 (Thursday)
Cameron Boozer and his workforce have been short-handed in opposition to Siena, and it confirmed. The Blue Devils grew to become the first 1-seed in the historical past of the NCAA event to path a 16-seed by double digits at halftime Thursday, per ESPN Research. They clearly missed Patrick Ngongba II‘s protection and Caleb Foster‘s 3-point capturing. But Boozer overpowered the Saints, ending 13-for-14 from the free throw line in the win. The Blue Devils additionally held Siena to 8-for-34 capturing after halftime, with the identical elite protection (second in adjusted effectivity on KenPom) that fueled wins this season over Kansas, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan and Michigan State.
Up subsequent: vs. TCU (Saturday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)
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TCU set to face Duke in 2nd spherical of NCAA event
Check out a few of the finest highlights from TCU and Duke forward of their spherical of 32 matchup in the NCAA event.
3. Florida Gators
Original seed: No. 1 (South)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 16 Prairie View A&M 114-55 (Friday)
The Gators’ 39-point halftime benefit over Prairie View A&M is tied for the second largest lead at the break in NCAA event historical past, per ESPN Research. Their efficiency can also be an extension of their near-flawless end to the 2025-26 season. Florida has gained 13 of its previous 14 video games, together with 12 straight earlier than a loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC event semifinal. Seven of these have been gained by 19 or extra factors, together with a 100-77 win over Alabama on Feb. 1 and an 111-77 rout of Arkansas on Feb. 28. No workforce in America is enjoying higher.
Up subsequent: vs. Iowa (Sunday, 7:10 p.m. ET, TBS)
4. Michigan Wolverines
Original seed: No. 1 (Midwest)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 16 Howard 101-80 (Thursday)
The Wolverines’ large frontcourt was the anchor of a dominant season for Dusty May’s squad, which gained the Big Ten regular-season title. On Thursday, these huge stars have been saved out of the lane by Howard’s zone. Once Michigan figured it out, although — with 7-foot-3 middle Aday Mara enjoying over the high and dominating — it could not be stopped. The Wolverines made 46% of their 3-point makes an attempt. This season, they’ve solely misplaced to a Wisconsin workforce that made 15 3-pointers, a Duke squad that was led by the nationwide participant of the yr front-runner and a Purdue unit that made 60% of its pictures inside the arc.
Up subsequent: vs. Saint Louis (Saturday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)
5. Houston Cougars
Original seed: No. 2 (South)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 15 Idaho 78-47 (Thursday)
The Cougars’ win over Idaho in the opening spherical was extra proof Houston can pummel opponents with its defensive strain. The Vandals scored simply 47 factors (72 factors per 100 possessions). Beyond their three-game shedding streak in February (at Iowa State, vs. Kansas, at Arizona), the Cougars have performed like a nationwide championship contender a yr after shedding to Florida in the title sport. Freshman Kingston Flemings (18 factors, six rebounds, 4 assists, two steals in opposition to Idaho) appears able to main them again to the championship sport.
Up subsequent: vs. Texas A&M (Saturday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)
6. Iowa State Cyclones
Original seed: No. 2 (Midwest)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 15 Tennessee State 108-74 (Friday)
On the one hand, it is admirable Iowa State managed to attain 108 factors in its win over Tennessee State, regardless of Joshua Jefferson enjoying solely three minutes attributable to a sprained ankle. On the different hand, it is exhausting to think about Iowa State happening a deep run if Jefferson, the AP second-team All-American, who sat on the bench in a strolling boot for the remainder of the sport, is unavailable. Per EvanMiya, the Cyclones have been 20.5 factors per 100 possessions higher this season with him on the flooring. Without him, they seem to be a totally different workforce.
Up subsequent: vs. Kentucky (Sunday, 2:45 p.m. ET, CBS)
7. Illinois Fighting Illini
Original seed: No. 3 (South)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 14 Penn 105-70 (Thursday)
The finest offensive workforce in the nation may need exceeded its personal expectations when it registered an unworldly 197 factors per 100 possessions in the second half of its win over Penn in the first spherical. David Mirkovic scored 29 factors and grabbed 17 rebounds, and Keaton Wagler, a second-team AP All-American, added 18 factors. That sport marked the ninth occasion of the Illini scoring 90 or extra factors this season. If it wasn’t clear earlier than, Illinois’ offense, at its finest, can attain a degree few teams in the area can match.
Up subsequent: vs. VCU (Saturday, 7:50 p.m. ET, CBS)
8. Purdue Boilermakers
Original seed: No. 2 (West)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 15 Queens University 104-71 (Friday)
On Dec. 6, following a lopsided residence loss to Iowa State, many wrote Purdue off. There was no cause to consider in any other case as the season went on. In league play, Purdue — the AP preseason No. 1 workforce — was overshadowed by extra compelling storylines at Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois and Nebraska. Yet, of their present five-game profitable streak, a run that features the Big Ten event title-game victory over Michigan, the Boilermakers have, lastly, lived as much as the preseason buzz. Trey Kaufman-Renn (17.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG in 5 video games) is enjoying like an All-American once more and Purdue has had the finest offense in the nation throughout that stretch.
Up subsequent: vs. Miami (Sunday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)
9. St. John’s Red Storm
Original seed: No. 5 (East)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 12 Northern Iowa 79-53 (Friday)
Last yr’s St. John’s workforce was the discuss of New York City and even made an look on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” But what if this model of Rick Pitino’s squad is even higher? The metrics between the two teams is likely to be comparable, however this group has an offensive chemistry that eluded final yr’s workforce. Led by Zuby Ejiofor (16.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.1 BPG), the Johnnies gained their eleventh sport Saturday by a margin of 20-plus factors. They’ve been thirty seventh in adjusted offensive effectivity throughout their present 20-1 streak too. Last yr’s group was 74th total.
Up subsequent: vs. Kansas (Sunday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)
10. UConn Huskies
Original seed: No. 2 (East)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 15 Furman 82-71 (Friday)
With 5 minutes to go in its win over Furman in the opening spherical, the Huskies have been in a five-point sport. They nonetheless have the gamers to win their third nationwide title in 4 years — a feat that hasn’t been achieved since John Wooden walked the sidelines at UCLA — however they did not get by way of the first spherical with the identical excellence as the different contenders. They’re clearly a greater workforce when Tarris Reed Jr. (31 factors, 27 rebounds in opposition to Furman) takes over, particularly with Silas Demary Jr. out Friday attributable to an ankle harm. They simply have not appeared like future champions in weeks.
Up subsequent: vs. UCLA (Sunday, 8:45 p.m. ET, TNT)
11. Michigan State Spartans
Original seed: No. 2 (East)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 15 Bryant 92-67 (Thursday)
The Spartans are led by one in every of America’s finest level guards in Jeremy Fears Jr., who recorded seven factors and 11 assists in the first spherical in opposition to North Dakota State on Thursday. It was the fifth time that Michigan State, which completed in a three-way tie for second place in the Big Ten race, scored 90 factors or extra this season. That offensive threshold is the results of Michigan State’s latest effectiveness from the 3-point line (50% from past the arc in opposition to NDSU). The Spartans have made 44% of their 3-point makes an attempt over their previous 5 video games.
Up subsequent: vs. Louisville (Saturday, 2:45 p.m. ET, CBS)
12. Arkansas Razorbacks
Original seed: No. 4 (West)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 13 Hawai’i 97-78 (Thursday)
No participant in the nation has outperformed Darius Acuff Jr. over the previous month. On Thursday, the 6-foot-3 level guard completed with 24 factors (2-for-5 from past the arc) and 7 assists — his fifth consecutive sport with not less than 24 factors, 5 assists and two 3-pointers — in opposition to Hawai’i. But this workforce can also be not simply Acuff. Trevon Brazile and Meleek Thomas have been equally vital contributors for an Arkansas squad that is now gained six video games in a row, a run that features the SEC event championship. During this streak, the Razorbacks have been sixteenth in adjusted offensive effectivity nationally and related on 43% of their 3-point makes an attempt.
Up subsequent: vs. High Point (Saturday, 9:45 p.m., truTV/TBS)
13. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Original seed: No. 4 (South)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 13 Troy 76-47 (Thursday)
Nebraska has the Big Ten’s finest protection. That was evident in its victory over Troy, which additionally resulted in the Huskers’ first NCAA event win. These Trojans weren’t straightforward, both. In November, they scored 108 factors in a double-overtime victory in opposition to San Diego State, a top-20 defensive workforce nationally. But on Thursday, they scored simply 47 factors and registered 77 factors per 100 possessions in opposition to the Cornhuskers. Offensively, Pryce Sandfort (23 factors) and his teammates related on 34 3-pointers of their previous three video games, however the elite protection has been the story of their season.
Up subsequent: vs. Vanderbilt (Saturday, 8:45 p.m., TNT)
14. Vanderbilt Commodores
Original seed: No. 5 (South)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 12 McNeese 78-68 (Thursday)
The Commodores adopted Tyler Tanner‘s lead once more to beat a tricky McNeese workforce. That has been the ongoing narrative for Vanderbilt. When Tanner (26 factors on Thursday), a 6-foot level guard who’s a projected first-round decide in the NBA draft, performs nicely his workforce normally wins. The Dores are 13-3 this season when he scores not less than 20 factors. The return of Duke Miles from a knee harm late final month has mattered, too: Vanderbilt has been seventh in adjusted offensive effectivity since he returned to assist his workforce attain the SEC event title sport and advance to the second spherical of the NCAA event.
Up subsequent: vs. Nebraska (Saturday, 8:45 p.m., TNT)
15. Virginia Cavaliers
Original seed: No. 3 (Midwest)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 14 Wright State 82-73 (Friday)
This Virginia workforce does not seem like the teams that have been extra methodical beneath Tony Bennett. In the Ryan Odom period, practically half of the Cavaliers’ area aim makes an attempt are 3-pointers, which could have appeared sacrilegious beneath the outdated guard. Yet, it really works: Virginia took down Wright State on Friday after making 13 pictures from past the arc. The Cavs additionally play a protection that is allowed only one workforce (Miami) to exceed a 42% clip inside the arc over their previous 4 video games. Even Duke completed 17-for-40 from 2 in opposition to them in the ACC event. With Thijs De Ridder (double figures in 9 of his previous 10 video games) and a powerful protection, Virginia is a tricky opponent for any workforce.
Up subsequent: vs. Tennessee (Sunday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)
16. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Original seed: No. 3 (West)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 14 Kennesaw State 73-64 (Thursday)
The wins will not be all the time fairly for Gonzaga, however they do not must be. This season, the Zags have gained 31 video games, a WCC event title and defeated teams akin to Kentucky, Alabama and UCLA, all with a scrappy strategy that depends on second-chance alternatives, elite protection and dominance in the paint. Graham Ike (19 factors, eight rebounds in opposition to Kennesaw State) is the captain of the ship for Mark Few’s squad, which is ranked ninth nationally in adjusted defensive effectivity. But that is the worst 3-point capturing workforce (33.5%) Few has had at Gonzaga. The Bulldogs overcame a 3-for-18 clip from past the arc in opposition to the Owls on Thursday.
Up subsequent: vs. Texas (Saturday, 7:10 p.m. ET, truTV/TBS)
17. Alabama Crimson Tide
Original seed: No. 3 (Midwest)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 13 Hofstra 90-70 (Friday)
Nate Oats’ squad steamrolled a Hofstra workforce that had been a preferred upset decide after star Aden Holloway was arrested on a felony drug cost Monday, faraway from campus and separated from the workforce. Instead, Labaron Philon Jr. (29 factors, eight rebounds, seven assists) proved he may carry the load with out the workforce’s most impactful offensive participant, per EvanMiya. However, Philon additionally had 5 turnovers. And Alabama missed 24 of its 36 3-point makes an attempt. Holloway is their finest 3-point shooter. The Crimson Tide can nonetheless overwhelm opponents with their scoring assault on this event, however they may miss Holloway as the degree of competitors rises.
Up subsequent: vs. Texas Tech (Sunday, 9:45 p.m. ET, TBS)
18. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Original seed: No. 5 (Midwest)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 12 Akron 91-71 (Friday)
Despite being with out All-American JT Toppin, the Red Raiders stay one in every of America’s high 3-point capturing teams. They’ve additionally been third in adjusted offensive effectivity with out Toppin — though they seem to be a sub-100 workforce defensively, per BartTorvik. That offensive energy gave them a lift after they scored 51 factors in the second half in opposition to Akron. Jaylen Petty recorded a career-high 24 factors, whereas Christian Anderson added 18. It is unknown if this workforce can attain the identical heights with out Toppin. But it’s clearly a squad with second-weekend potential, even short-handed.
Up subsequent: vs. Alabama (Sunday, 9:45 p.m. ET, TBS)
19. Kansas Jayhawks
Original seed: No. 4 (East)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 13 California Baptist 68-60 (Friday)
We by no means bear in mind teams after we discuss the NCAA event, solely the stars. Carmelo Anthony in 2003. Kemba Walker in 2011. Anthony Davis in 2012. Jalen Brunson in 2018. For all its flaws, Kansas has a standout performer in Darryn Peterson (28 factors in opposition to Cal Baptist on Friday), the most polarizing participant in faculty basketball this season. But simply when it felt protected to consider in the promise of Kansas, the Jayhawks surrendered an 18-2 run that allowed Cal Baptist to chop its deficit to 6 factors late. (They, in fact, survived and superior.) We’ve seen the identical film with Kansas all season. And we’re nonetheless ready for them to play 40 minutes of nice basketball.
Up subsequent: vs. St. John’s (Sunday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)
20. Kentucky Wildcats
Original seed: No. 7 (Midwest)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 10 Santa Clara 89-84 in overtime (Friday)
Friday’s win over Santa Clara featured the identical chaos that is outlined Kentucky all season — topped by a tying, buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Otega Oweh close to half courtroom at the finish of regulation. The Wildcats have been a multitude regardless of their elite expertise. But on Friday, Oweh, the preseason SEC Player of the Year, had a career-high 35 factors, plus eight rebounds and 7 assists. Denzel Aberdeen, who gained a nationwide title with Florida final yr, had 16 factors. Mouhamed Dioubate and Brandon Garrison, each four-star recruits in highschool, mixed for 27 factors, 15 rebounds and 9 blocks. The chemistry is not all the time apparent with this group — but it surely has the personnel to compete in opposition to any opponent.
Up subsequent: vs. Iowa State (Sunday, 2:45 p.m. ET, CBS)
21. Tennessee Volunteers
Original seed: No. 6 (Midwest)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 11 Miami (Ohio) 78-56 (Friday)
The Vols stopped Miami (Ohio) on Friday though Nate Ament, the 6-10 projected lottery decide, completed 0-for-3. Ja’Kobi Gillespie as a substitute continued to be the catalyst with 29 factors. The Vols are the high offensive rebounding workforce in the nation and, for the previous six weeks, have additionally been top-10 defensively. They did have a letdown of a 2-4 stretch earlier than the NCAA event regardless of wins over Vanderbilt, Alabama and Tennessee. If they preserve enjoying to their strengths, they’ll attain the second weekend.
Up subsequent: vs. Virginia (Sunday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)
22. Louisville Cardinals
Original seed: No. 6 (East)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 11 South Florida 83-79 (Thursday)
Mikel Brown Jr., a projected first-round draft decide, missed his thirteenth sport of the season Thursday and can miss his 14th on Saturday. So the workforce that confirmed up Thursday in the win over South Florida is the identical one which’s performed greater than two-thirds of this season with out its younger star. The excellent news is the Cardinals are 8-5 with out Brown, together with Thursday. Isaac McKneely, J’Vonne Hadley and Ryan Conwell mixed to attain 51 factors in opposition to South Florida and regular the ship, the means they’ve all season.
Up subsequent: vs. Michigan State (Saturday, 2:45 p.m. ET, CBS)
23. Miami Hurricanes
Original seed: No. 7 (West)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 10 Missouri 80-66 (Friday)
First-year head coach Jai Lucas led Miami again to the NCAA event for the first time in three years. When he arrived final offseason, he constructed his workforce round Malik Reneau, the 6-foot-9 ahead who transferred from Indiana. On Friday, Reneau recorded 24 factors, eight rebounds and three assists. The Hurricanes could not have secured a bunch of earth-shattering wins this season, however they have been regular (high 5 in offensive and defensive effectivity in ACC play) all season. That was sufficient to advance to the subsequent spherical.
Up subsequent: vs. Purdue (Sunday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)
24. UCLA Bruins
Original seed: No. 7 (East)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 10 UCF 75-71 (Friday)
The Bruins missed Tyler Bilodeau (17.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 46% from past the arc) when he was out in opposition to UCF on Friday attributable to a knee harm. As a outcome, they needed to maintain off a tricky Big 12 squad in the last minutes. It wasn’t a fan-friendly affair: The Bruins missed numerous pictures. But in addition they pressured 17 turnovers. Eric Dailey Jr. (20 factors) was one in every of 4 UCLA gamers in double figures. If something, the Bruins proved that, regardless of lacking their finest participant, they’ll play the suffocating protection they will have to see the second weekend of the NCAA event. They’ll hope Bilodeau can return although.
Up subsequent: vs. UConn (Sunday, 8:45 p.m. ET, TNT)
25. Saint Louis Billikens
Original seed: No. 9 (Midwest)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 8 Georgia 102-77 (Thursday)
After profitable 24 of its first 25 video games, Saint Louis appeared to hit a wall in the last weeks of the common season, ending 4-4. Still, the Billikens’ physique of labor all the time advised they have been a workforce with an offense able to dominance. We witnessed the latter Josh Schertz’s workforce registered 128 factors per 100 possessions in opposition to a Georgia squad that completed 10-8 in the SEC. With Robbie Avila and 5 different gamers who’ve shot not less than 37% from 3 this season, the Billikens stay an offensive powerhouse.
Up subsequent: vs. Michigan (Saturday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)
26. VCU Rams
Original seed: No. 11 (South)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 6 North Carolina 82-78 in overtime (Thursday)
Down 19 factors in the second half in opposition to North Carolina, VCU by no means misplaced its cool. Terrence Hill Jr. (34 factors) and Lazar Djokovic (15 factors, 5 rebounds, two blocks) led the Rams to their seventh win in a row. For the previous 18 video games — that is included only one loss — they have been round a top-50 offensive and defensive workforce nationally. It’s that proficiency on each ends that they used to win a share of the Atlantic 10 common season and event titles. It’s additionally how the Rams can advance to the Sweet 16.
Up subsequent: vs. Illinois (Saturday, 7:50 p.m. ET, CBS)
27. Utah State Aggies
Original seed: No. 9 (West)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 8 Villanova 86-76 (Friday)
Mason Falslev, the Mountain West Player of the Year, and MJ Collins Jr., a high switch from Saint Louis, mixed to attain 42 factors in Friday’s win over Villanova. Jerrod Calhoun’s squad has registered 120 factors per 100 possessions this season with Collins and Falslev on the courtroom collectively, per EvanMiya. They’re the spark for the Mountain West’s finest offense — and Utah State’s finest likelihood to advance. The Aggies even have an improved protection in latest weeks going for them. Only one opponent of their previous 4 video games has surpassed a forty five% clip inside the arc.
Up subsequent: vs. Arizona (Sunday, 7:50 p.m. ET, truTV)
28. Texas A&M Aggies
Original seed: No. 10 (South)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 7 Saint Mary’s 63-50 (Thursday)
Thursday’s win over Saint Mary’s allowed the Aggies to showcase their means to play at a slower tempo and nonetheless prevail. The 59-possession sport was the slowest of the season for the Aggies, who’ve performed at a top-20 tempo. Yet, they secured their third victory in 4 video games with a dominant effort inside, outscoring the Gaels 28-12 in the paint. It additionally helped that Rashaun Agee had his sixth sport with not less than 20 factors and eight rebounds. The Aggies are 5-1 in these matchups.
Up subsequent: vs. Houston (Saturday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)
29. TCU Horned Frogs
Original seed: No. 9 (East)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 8 Ohio State 66-64 (Thursday)
TCU knocked off a few of the high teams in America this season. Two weeks after shedding to Michigan in a decent sport in November, the Horned Frogs defeated Florida and Wisconsin in back-to-back contests. In Big 12 play, they beat Iowa State and Texas Tech. For the previous month, they’ve been high 25 in offensive rebounding price, per BartTorvik. Their gutsy win in opposition to Ohio State punctuated that 7-1 stretch. The Frogs proceed to win with collective grit and a roster that does not have an NBA prospect however depends on 4 gamers averaging double figures — together with Xavier Edmonds, who had 16 factors and eight rebounds in opposition to the Buckeyes.
Up subsequent: vs. Duke (Saturday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)
30. Iowa Hawkeyes
Original seed: No. 9 (South)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 8 Clemson 67-61 (Friday)
For a 3rd consecutive season, the Bennett Stirtz-Ben McCollum pairing has resulted in an NCAA event win. The two did it at Division II Northwest Missouri State in 2024 and did it at Drake final yr. On Friday, the 6-foot-4 Stirtz led all scorers with 16 factors as he and McCollum prevailed once more.
Up subsequent: vs. Florida (Sunday, 7:10 p.m. ET, TBS)
31. Texas Longhorns
Original seed: No. 11 (West)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 6 BYU 79-71 (Thursday)
The Longhorns have been 1-5 coming into the event and ranked 161st in adjusted defensive effectivity throughout that stretch. They’ve been higher this week, holding NC State to 98 factors per 100 possessions in the First Four after which beating BYU regardless of A.J. Dybantsa’s 35-point effort. Sean Miller continues to journey the sizzling hand, whether or not that is Dailyn Swain (28 assists in his previous 5 video games), (*32*) (38 factors mixed in two NCAA event video games) or Tramon Mark (18.0 PPG, 45% from past the arc in the event).
Up subsequent: vs. Gonzaga (Saturday, 7:10 p.m. ET, truTV/TBS)
32. High Point Panthers
Original seed: No. 12 (West)
First-round outcome: Defeated No. 5 Wisconsin 83-82 (Thursday)
Entering the NCAA event, Wisconsin had one in every of the area’s most spectacular collections of wins, with victories over Illinois (twice), Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue. High Point could not match that résumé, but it surely had the best offense and protection in the Big South this season. And the Panthers had misplaced simply as soon as since Dec. 14. They went on to drive 10 key turnovers (they’re ranked fifth in the nation in defensive turnover price) in the upset win over Wisconsin. Rob Martin and Terry Anderson (38 factors mixed in opposition to the Badgers) could possibly be a handful for Arkansas.
Up subsequent: vs. Arkansas (Saturday, 9:45 p.m., truTV/TBS)
