2023 NCAA Tournament: Ranking the Sweet 16 teams
The 2023 NCAA Tournament has been crazy, with 10 lower-seeded teams picking up at least one victory. Also, only half of the tournament's top eight seeds are left, as Purdue, Kansas, Arizona and Marquette have been eliminated.
Three teams seeded eighth or lower are still playing in the second weekend. No. 15 Northwestern is the lowest-seeded team in the Sweet 16, while No.9 Florida Atlantic and No. 8 Arkansas are the other two lowest-seeded teams.
This article will examine the remaining 16 teams in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Ranking the Sweet 16 teams in the 2023 NCAA Tournament
#1, Alabama Crimson Tide (31-5)
Alabama entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1-ranked team and the top overall seed in March Madness, and the Crimson Tide have not done anything to say otherwise. Bama has won both of its tournament games by 20 points, outscoring its opponents 169-126.
Alabama is arguably the most athletic team in the tournament. While the Crimson Tide are only an average shooting team, they shot just 39.0% against Maryland on Saturday, and the Tide have been relentless on the offensive glass as they have been all season long. Bama has turned its 27 offensive rebounds into 34 second-chance points.
Alabama has also drawn 36 fouls and attempted 51 free throws in the two contests.
With top NBA prospect Brandon Miller struggling to shoot the ball in the tournament's first two games – he was hampered by a groin injury against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – the Crimson Tide has turned to their defense.
The Tide, No. 7 in defensive efficiency, has held their two opponents to 49 of 129 (37.9%), including 8 of 28 (28.5%) from the 3-point line. They have held their last six opponents to less than 40% shooting.
#2, Houston Cougars (33-3)
Houston, the No. 1 seed in the Midwest, looked in trouble against Auburn on Saturday, with Jamal Shead (knee) and Marcus Sasser (groin) hobbled, but the Cougars outscored the Tigers 51-23 in the second half to pick up an 81-64 victory. The Cougars are in the Sweet 16 for the third straight year.
Like all season, Houston reached the second week of the tourney due to its defense and a well-balanced offensive attack. The Cougars have held their two tournament opponents to 39-for-122 (31.9%) shooting, including 10 of 49 (20.4%) from beyond the arc, while recording 16 blocked shots, with 12 coming against the Tigers.
Houston’s defense ranks second in field-goal makes, first in field-goal percentage, fourth in 2-point percentage and fourth in 3-point percentage.
Houston has five players who average double-figures, led by NBA prospects Marcus Sasser and Jarace Walker. Tramon Mack, who is very talented, stepped up against Auburn with 26 points and averages 10.0 ppg.
#3, Texas Longhorns (28-8)
Texas, the No. 2 seed in the Midwest, is deep and highly talented. The Longhorns are capable of winning games either with their offense or defense. They shoot the ball well, do a great job defending the 3-point line and don’t turn it over.
Texas has shot the ball well in the tournament, connecting on 50% from the field in each contest, though the Longhorns were only 1 of 13 from deep against Penn State.
Defensively, the Longhorns have held both opponents to under 43.5% shooting and 11 of 43 (25.5%) from the 3-point line.
Dylan Desu has played his best basketball of the season over the last eight games, scoring in double-figures seven times and posting three double-doubles.
#4, Gonzaga Bulldogs (30-5)
Gonzaga, the No. 3 seed in the West, is reaping the dividends of playing a tough nonconference schedule. Gonzaga, which played the seventh-toughest schedule, defeated a tough TCU squad 84-81 on Sunday night to advance to the Sweet 16 for the eighth straight time. The victory was the Bulldogs' seventh Quad I win.
Gonzaga is an experienced club with a high-powered offense led by Drew Timme and Julian Strawther. Timme is one of the best college players this century.
Gonzaga, ranked No. 1 in offensive efficiency, is a fantastic shooting squad that doesn’t turn the ball over. The Bulldogs have scored 80 points in their NCAA tournament games, but their 3-point shooting and work from the charity stripe nearly cost them against TCU. However, they have been pretty good defensively, particularly in the glass and protecting the rim.
5. UCLA Bruins (31-5)
UCLA, the No. 2 seed in the West, is in the Sweet 16 for the third straight year. The Bruins are stellar defensively, hit the offensive glass hard and don’t turn the ball over.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. can carry a team, and Tyger Campbell is an outstanding point guard. They have also received increased production from All-Pac-12 Freshmen selection Amari Bailey through the first two games of the NCAA Tournament.
The Bruins have been without Jaylin Clark, the team’s third-leading scorer, due to a torn ACL, but they seemingly caught a break with guard David Singleton’s ankle injury, as he is not expected to miss any time.
#6, Connecticut Huskies (27-8)
Connecticut, seeded fourth in the West, is finally living up to the hype. UConn, which started 14-0, has looked dominant in its first two NCAA Tournament games. The Huskies are rolling into the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014, when the program cut down the nets as the national champion.
UConn has shot the ball exceptionally well, and their defense has been just as strong. The only two things that the Huskies should be concerned about are their fouling, which has been an issue all season long, and perhaps their inability to force turnovers.
Adama Sanoga and Jordan Hawkins are arguably the best inside-outside duo in the tourney, while Andre Jackson is among the best two guards. Reserve big man Donovan Clingan is an excellent shot-blocker and rebounder.
#7, Tennessee Volunteers (25-10)
Tennessee, the No. 4 seed in the East, has gone through some highs and lows this year, along with injuries. Tennessee looked like a serious contender in its win over Duke, holding the Blue Devils to 42.9% from the field and 27.3% from beyond the arc while forcing 14 turnovers.
Offensively, the Volunteers share the ball well and like to shoot a lot of 3-pointers. Santiago Vescovi is the Volunteers' lone 3-point marksman, while 6-foot-8 forward Olivier Nkamhoua stepped up against Duke, pumping in a career-high 27 points. Starting point guard Zakai Zeigler remains sidelined due to a torn ACL.
#8, Kansas State Wildcats (25-9)
Kansas State, seeded third in the East, is one of the better stories of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. In the Big Dance for the first time since 2019, the Wildcats won 34 games over the last three years, including 14 in Bruce Weber’s previous year at the helm. They enter the Sweet 16 with 25 victories under long-time college assistant Jerome Tang.
K-State is not great offensively. The Wildcats share the ball well and will get out and run, especially off of turnovers. The Cats make nearly 53% of their two-pointers and get to the free-throw line, where they connect on 75% of their attempts. Marquis Nowell poured in 27 points and doled out nine assists, and Keyontae Johnson is the most dynamic scoring duo left in the tourney.
Defensively, Kansas State defends well and comes up with nearly eight steals a game. KSU held Kentucky to 41.2% shooting and forced 16 turnovers.
#9, San Diego State Aztecs (29-6)
San Diego State, the No. 5 seed in the South, is an experienced team that relies on its defense to win games. The Aztecs defend the 3-point line well exceptionally well – their opponents are making 28.8% from deep – do a fantastic job at protecting the rim and keep teams off the offensive glass. Offensively, SDSU has eight players who average at least six points a game.
#10, Xavier Musketeers (27-9)
Xavier, seeded third in the Midwest, has one of the most explosive starting lineups in the tournament. The Musketeers' three-headed backcourt – Solely Boum, Colby Jones, and Adam Kunkle – has capable shooters and distributors while Jack Nunge is playing the basketball of his career.
The Musketeers have not been great defensively, although they have tightened things up the past two games, and they have cut down their turnovers during the tournament.
#11, Creighton Bluejays (23-12)
Creighton was highly thought of before the season, but injuries and inconsistent play caused them to fall to a sixth seed (in the South) in the 2023 NCAA Ttournament.
Creighton is an outstanding shooting team – at all three levels. The Bluejays share the ball well and don’t turn it over a ton. The Bluejays also protect the paint – holding opponents to 45.9% shooting on 2-pointers, swatting away shots and rebounding defensively.
Seven-foot center Ryan Kalkbrenner is fantastic around the rim on both ends of the floor. Kalkbrenner, who dropped 31 points against North Carolina State, has scored in double-figures in 15 straight games. Trey Alexander, Baylor Scheierman, Ryan Nembhard, and Arthur Kaluma also score in double figures. Nembhard tossed in a career-best 30 points in the Jays' second-round win over Baylor.
#12, Miami Hurricanes (27-7)
Miami, the No. 5 seed in the Midwest, has been a top 30 team all season long. The Hurricanes own one of the most efficient offenses, ranking No. 9 in the nation, as they have four players who average at least 13 points a game.
Isaiah Wong is the Canes’ top player, although Norchad Omier may be their most important player. Omier has compiled 19 points and 31 rebounds (13 offenses) in the NCAA Tournament.
Defense is an issue, especially on the interior.
13. Arkansas Razorbacks (22-13)
Arkansas's Sweet 16 appearance is one of the more shocking events of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Arkansas, No. 8 in the West, reached the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, despite losing nearly all of their rotational players from a year ago. That's thanks to Ricky Council and Davonte Davis combining for 46 of the Hogs' 72 points in their one-point victory over No. 1 Kansas on Saturday.
Offensively, Arkansas uses its defense to create offense, and the Razorbacks take good shots – connecting on 53.1% of their 2-point attempts. The Razorbacks are athletic, get to the free-throw line and are an excellent rebounding team.
It is on the defensive end where the Razorbacks have thrived. They use their length and athleticism to challenge 3-point shots, protect the rim and force turnovers. Arkansas averages 8.4 steals and 5.1 blocks on the season.
14. Michigan State Spartans (21-12)
Michigan State, the No. 7 seed in the East, didn't look like an NCAA Tournament team for much of the season. The Spartans played a semi-challenging nonconference slate, but MSU is in the Sweet 16 after defeating USC and upsetting No. 2 Marquette.
Michigan State is strong defensively, rebounds the ball on both ends well and doesn't turn it over. MSU limited Marquette to 9-for-25 (36%) shooting on two-pointers for the game, and the Golden Eagles attempted just 14 free throws. The Spartans have forced 27 turnovers and only permitted 15 offensive caroms.
Offensively, MSU has struggled from beyond the arc through the first two games. The Spartans, who make 38.7% of their shots from long distance, have made 7 of 30 attempts from the 3-point line (23.3%) through the first two games. They have also gotten to the line often (48) and have only turned the ball over 17 times.
Joey Hauser and Tyson Walker have played well in the NCAA Tournament. Hauser has scored 14 points in each game and recorded a double-double in the win over Marquette. Walker, who has made 13 of 26 (50%) from the field, tossed in 23 points against the Golden Eagles.
15. Florida Atlantic Owls (33-3)
Florida Atlantic's Cinderella story is still alive. The Owls, who are seeded ninth in th East, have set several program records this year, including reaching the Sweet 15. FAU is a deep, well-balanced squad whose only glaring weakness is free-throw shooting. Sophomore guards Johnell Davis, who poured in 29 points against Fairleigh Dickinson, and Alijah Martin, lead the way.
16. Princeton Tigers (23-8)
Princeton, the No. 15 seed in the South, is 2-0 in the ournament after impressive upset victories over No. 2 Arizona and No. 7 Missouri. The Tigers, dancing for the first time in six years, won a tournament game for the first time since 1998.
Princeton has been excellent on the defensive end over the last two games. As has been the case all season long, Princeton has competed extremely hard on that end and has defended the 3-point line very well. The Tigers have also not fouled much and kept their opponents off the offensive glass.
Offensively, the Tigers love to launch 3-pointers. The Tigers will get out and run when the opportunity presents itself and will hit the offensive glass. Leading scorer Tosan Evbuomwan is consistent, and Ryan Langborg can score 20 points in any game.