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| Home / College Guide / March Madness Sweet 16 Power Rankings: UConn, Purdue, UNC top the list |
| Posted on Wednesday, March 27 @ 00:00:04 PDT |
March Madness Sweet 16 Power Rankings: UConn, Purdue, UNC top the list Cinderellas carriage is nowhere to be found entering the second weekend of the [NCAA Tournament](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/bracket). It does not mean that we went without upsets, with [Oakland](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/oakland-golden-grizzlies-team) stunning [Kentucky](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/kentucky-wildcats-team), [Yale](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/yale-bulldogs-team) knocking off SEC champion [Auburn](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/auburn-tigers-team) and [James Madison](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/james-madison-dukes-team) commanding [Wisconsin](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/wisconsin-badgers-team). But, in recent years, weve reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament with a Cinderella left standing, until that magical run comes to an end against the sports heavyweights. Its the nature of March Madness. We love it because its a one-game playoff, with six straight wins required to be crowned champion, but in some regards, by not being a seven-game series, anything is possible.
In this particular tournament, were in for a potentially all-time Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. For just the fifth time since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, the entirety of the top-two seed lines remains intact. Yes, the 1-seeds and 2-seeds are all still alive in each region, making up half of the 16 teams left. From there, you have a pair of 3-seeds, a pair of 4s, a pair of 5s, one 6 and 11th-seeded [NC State](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/north-carolina-state-wolfpack-team). What does that mean? The teams that we have discussed all year long as the sports heavyweights are still in this thing and in contention for a title. In a world where [college basketball](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball) fans have come to expect David vs. Goliath in March, this is the Sweet 16 of the Goliaths, with 13 of the top-14 teams in the KenPom ratings still alive. For what its worth, those other four seasons where we saw the top-two seed lines still in the tournament entering the Sweet 16, here are the champions: 2019: 1-seed [Virginia](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/virginia-cavaliers-team) 2009: 1-seed [North Carolina](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/north-carolina-tar-heels-team) 1995: 1-seed [UCLA](https://www.
foxsports.com/college-basketball/ucla-bruins-team) 1989: 3-seed [Michigan](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/michigan-wolverines-team) The 1-line is where we begin our power rankings for this years Sweet 16: The Huskies coasted to a pair of wins in Brooklyn this past weekend by a combined 56 points, becoming the first team in college basketball history to win eight straight NCAA Tournament games by at least 13 points. Their average margin of victory in the Big Dance over the last two years is 22. There was no sort of dropoff from the reigning national champions, who are the first defending champs to make the second weekend of the tournament since [Duke](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/duke-blue-devils-team) did it back in 2016. As far as Im concerned, this is UConns national title to lose, and Id be shocked to not see them make the Final Four. The spotlight was firmly on the Boilermakers entering this first weekend of the NCAA Tournament as they try to duplicate what Virginia did in 2019, getting redemption for a loss to a 16-seed in the previous year and winning a title. All Matt Patiners team did was win two games by a combined 67 points, the second of which was a 106-67 thumping of [Utah State](https://www.
foxsports.com/college-basketball/utah-state-aggies-team). The 39-point win matched the programs largest margin of victory ever in the tournament and the biggest by any team in the Round of 32 since 1999. The Boilers are off to their fifth Sweet 16 since 2017, and get a draw with a [Gonzaga](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/gonzaga-bulldogs-team) team that they beat in Maui on Nov. 20. [Zach Edeys](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/zach-edey-player) NCAA Tournament numbers through two games: 53 points, 35 rebounds, six blocks, five assists. Im listing the Tar Heels at No. 3, and even thought about them at No. 2 because of the way theyve grown into their identity and what they showed overcoming an early 26-14 deficit to [Michigan State](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/michigan-state-spartans-team) and winning the game in commanding fashion. This team has the perfect guard-big duo in [RJ Davis](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/rj-davis-player) and [Armando Bacot](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/armando-bacot-player), and the way [Harrison Ingram](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/harrison-ingram-player) has evolved into an X-factor is impressive.
Hubert Davis deserves credit for this bounce-back season, and he could reach a second Final Four in his first three years. Its what everybody is talking about entering the week: the potential for a [Caleb Love](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/caleb-love-player) Bowl in Los Angeles if the Wildcats get by [Clemson](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/clemson-tigers-team) and UNC beats [Alabama](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/alabama-crimson-tide-team). If we get that on Saturday night, it would be an NCAA Tournament TV ratings bonanza. The Wildcats won each of their first two tournament games by double-figures, but the reason why they arent higher is because I dont fully trust the backcourt around Love. Credit to [Jaden Bradley](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/jaden-bradley-player) for stepping up in the second half in the win over [Dayton](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/dayton-flyers-team), but this weekend is about [Kylan Boswell](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/kylan-boswell-player) bouncing back from a two-point showing against Dayton. Remember, these are power rankings. This is not me going with my original bracket, which you can find below: The Blue Devils impressed me in their wins over upset-minded [Vermont](https://www.
foxsports.com/college-basketball/vermont-catamounts-team) and James Madison, drilling the Dukes by 38 points behind [Jared McCains](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/jared-mccain-player) 30-point performance. With Houston awaiting, Jon Scheyers team has confidence with a top-five offense and a top-20 defense in the analytics. The key against the Cougars will be negating [Jamal Shead](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/jamal-shead-player), [LJ Cryer](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/lj-cryer-player) and [Emanuel Sharp](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/emanuel-sharp-player) with Dukes three-headed monster of McCain, [Jeremy Roach](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/jeremy-roach-player) and [Tyrese Proctor](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/tyrese-proctor-player), and [Kyle Filipowski](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/kyle-filipowski-player) being the best frontcourt player. I like Duke more and more as this game gets closer. The Cyclones have four players averaging double-figures. Theyve posted single-digit turnovers in each of their first two NCAA Tournament games. [Tamin Lipsey](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/tamin-lipsey-player) and [Keshon Gilbert](https://www.
foxsports.com/college-basketball/keshon-gilbert-player) are two really talented guards that coexist well. Theres the dynamic freshman with upside in [Milan Momcilovic](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/milan-momcilovic-player), who has combined for 29 points in two tournament wins. Oh, and theyve got the No. 1 defense in America. I love this Cyclones team, and they blew out [Houston](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/houston-cougars-team) in the [Big 12](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/big-12) championship game, so Im putting them over the Cougars. Surviving ninth-seeded Texas A&M in overtime Sunday is why Houston drops down to No. 7 for me, but it doesnt mean this team cant make it to the national championship game. The Cougars backcourt trio, on their best day, is the best in college basketball with hard-nosed [Jamal Shead](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/jamal-shead-player) and [LJ Cryer](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/lj-cryer-player) being accompanied by [Emanuel Sharp](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/emanuel-sharp-player), who is red-hot, coming off a 30-point showing in the win over the [Aggies](https://www.
foxsports.com/college-basketball/texas-am-aggies-team). That said, A&M shot 29-for-45 from the free-throw line in the game. If the Aggies even make half of those 16, maybe it goes differently. Im a bit worried about Houstons lack of offensive depth and the frontcourt. The Volunteers shot just 3-for-25 from 3-point land in the Round of 32 win over [Texas](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/texas-longhorns-team), something that cant continue against [Creighton](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/creighton-bluejays-team) or else its going to be another disappointing early exit for Rick Barnes. That said, the win over Texas is a game the Vols might not have won in years past because of their offensive deficiencies. [Dalton Knecht](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/dalton-knecht-player) changes everything, having gone for 18 points and hitting a clutch 3 late. You cant overstate what hes meant alongside [Santiago Vescovi](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/santiago-vescovi-player) and [Zakai Zeigler](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/zakai-zeigler-player) in the backcourt. The Bluejays won the best game of this tournament, a double-overtime victory over [Oregon](https://www.
foxsports.com/college-basketball/oregon-ducks-team), 86-73, a final score that doesnt reflect how tight it was before Greg McDermotts team scored 15 unanswered in the second OT. For the Jays to beat Tennessee, they will need [Trey Alexander](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/trey-alexander-player) to shoot better than 7-for-21 from the floor, and for [Steven Ashworth](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/steven-ashworth-player) to continue to make defenses pay when they are constantly focused on the Creighton scoring wings. What makes this team a Final Four dark horse? Three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year [Ryan Kalkbrenner](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/ryan-kalkbrenner-player), who had 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in the win over the Ducks. He does such a great job taking away the middle defensively. The Illini have the hottest guard in the country at the moment in [Terrence Shannon Jr.](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/terrence-shannon-player), who has scored at least 30 points in three of his last four games and is averaging 30 PPG in the last six contests. Between him and [Marcus Domask](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/marcus-domask-player), Illinois could wreak havoc in Boston and actually provide a test to UConn because this team has superstars who can get into a scoring battle and be right in it with their bucket-getting skills.
[Tyler Koleks](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/tyler-kolek-player) return is what has the Golden Eagles 40 minutes away from what would be just the programs second Elite Eight appearance in the last 20 years. In two games since coming back from an oblique injury, the Marquette point guard has combined for 39 points and 22 assists. He delivered the clutch bucket in the lane in Sundays win over a [Colorado](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/colorado-buffaloes-team) team that might have been seeded 10th, but is 22nd in KenPom. 12. [Clemson Tigers](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/clemson-tigers-team) Clemson mens basketball program has reached the Sweet 16 just twice since 1997. Both appearances have come in the Brad Brownell Era, and he has shut down any remnant of a doubt about him with this run to the second weekend. [Chase Hunter](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/chase-hunter-player) is the key cog in the Tigers offense right now, combining for 41 points in the last two games. The Tigers defense in the win over a really offensively gifted [Baylor](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/baylor-bears-team) team impressed me. 13. [Gonzaga Bulldogs](https://www.
foxsports.com/college-basketball/gonzaga-bulldogs-team) For Mark Few to make a nation-leading nine consecutive Sweet 16 appearances is incredible for a program out of Spokane, Washington. This Zags team has gone from being on the bubble five weeks ago to dancing, and now theyve got a red-hot point guard in [Ryan Nembhard](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/ryan-nembhard-player), a big in Graham Ike, who is flourishing, and the versatile [Anton Watson](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/anton-watson-player). Their offensive efficiency is through the roof, but theyll need to be close to perfect to be in it with [Purdue](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/purdue-boilermakers-team), while also negating everything [Braden Smith](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/braden-smith-player) and [Fletcher Loyer](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/fletcher-loyer-player) do from downtown. Alabamas wins over [Charleston](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/charleston-cougars-team) and [Grand Canyon](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/grand-canyon-antelopes-team) were impressive, and this team showed a nice response after falling in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals to [Florida](https://www.
foxsports.com/college-basketball/florida-gators-team). So, why do I have the Tide down at 14th? That defense is still concerning to me. Can they beat North Carolina? Of course, but they need [Rylan Griffen](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/rylan-griffen-player) and [Aaron Estrada](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/aaron-estrada-player) to be great. Estrada cannot go 4-for-14 like he did versus Grand Canyon. 16. [North Carolina State Wolfpack](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/north-carolina-state-wolfpack-team) Not even three weeks ago, the Wolfpack were 17-14 and heading to the NIT at best. Fast-forward to now, and theyve won seven in a row, made the programs first Elite Eight since 2015, and Kevin Keatts appears to be in line for a pretty contract extension. [DJ Burns](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/dj-burns-player), the 6-foot-9, 275-pound senior, is one of the best stories in the country, averaging an impressive 16.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest during this seven-game stretch. [DJ Horne](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/dj-horne-player) is stirring the drink in the backcourt, while 6-10 junior [Mohamed Diarra](https://www.
foxsports.com/college-basketball/mohamed-diarra-player) has come out of nowhere with four double-figure performances in the last five games. He had five such performances throughout the entire season before the ACC Tournament. I do believe the Wolfpack can hang in with Marquette because of their scoring options. The question: Can this team stop Kolek and [Kam Jones](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/kam-jones-player)? That seems like a tall task. It feels disrespectful to put the Aztecs down at the bottom with them not being the lowest seed, but somebody has to be there. To go to the Sweet 16 in back-to-back years is impressive, and obviously, last year was a magical run for Brian Dutchers program in making their first national title game. [Jaedon LeDee](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/jaedon-ledee-player) has been exceptional with at least 25 points in four of his last five games. My issue: perimeter shooting consistency, and what happens in SDSUs offense beyond LeeDee. Thats why I cant see the Aztecs getting past UConn. [Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? [Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily](https://www.
foxsports.com/stories/nfl/your-fox-sports-daily-welcome-to-the-personalized-newsletter).] John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter @ [John_Fanta](https://twitter.com/John_Fanta). 2024 March Madness betting recap: Saturday was our worst day of the year 2024 March Madness odds: UConn favored to win NCAA Tournament heading into Sweet 16 March Madness Round of 32: Emanuel Sharp leads Houston to fifth straight Sweet 16 2024 March Madness Schedule: Sweet 16, Scores, dates, locations, TV channels, how to watch Stephon Castle, UConns anti-entitled freshman, stars on both ends of the court How Dan Hurley built UConn into an offensive juggernaut — and repeat title contender 2024 College Basketball transfer portal tracker: South Carolina star Meechie Johnson enters Washington reportedly finalizing deal to hire Danny Sprinkle as new head coach It was necessary: How an early ACC Tournament exit fueled Jon Scheyers Duke team 2024 March Madness betting recap: Saturday was our worst day of the year 2024 March Madness odds: UConn favored to win NCAA Tournament heading into Sweet 16 March Madness Round of 32: Emanuel Sharp leads Houston to fifth straight Sweet 16 2024 March Madness Schedule: Sweet 16, Scores, dates, locations, TV channels, how to watch Stephon Castle, UConns anti-entitled freshman, stars on both ends of the court How Dan Hurley built UConn into an offensive juggernaut — and repeat title contender 2024 College Basketball transfer portal tracker: South Carolina star Meechie Johnson enters Washington reportedly finalizing deal to hire Danny Sprinkle as new head coach It was necessary: How an early ACC Tournament exit fueled Jon Scheyers Duke team
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