With a large group of Cinderella teams still around after the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, this Sweet 16 course was literally unpredictable. No one could have seen this combination of teams reaching the third round of the tournament when the 68 field was announced.
With seed No. 15 Oral Roberts, seed No. 12 Oregon State and seed No. 11 Syracuse and UCLA still in the mix, this is the largest total seed to reach Sweet 16. But there are also some bastions of the season pending at around too, and they should be licking their chops while they measure the remaining field.
Gonzaga, Michigan and Baylor No. 1 seeds face manageable paths ahead. In the case of Gonzaga and Baylor, seeds 2 of their regions have already been eliminated. As for the runner-up in Houston in the Midwest, the Cougars have a favorable two-game trajectory for the Final Four that is approaching after the runner-up in the region, Illinois, was defeated by Loyola Chicago in the second round.
So will the remaining five # 1 and # 2 seeds advance during Sweet 16? Or will madness continue with more upheavals? Here’s a preview of what’s to come this weekend during the regional semifinals.
Midwest Regional
No. 12 Oregon State vs. No. 8 Loyola Chicago
- When: Saturday at 2:40 pm Eastern Time
- Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Listening to the beavers – Chosen to finish last in Pac-12 in the preseason, Oregon State is a perfect example of what heating up at the right time can do for your team. Coach Wayne Tinkle and the Beavers were nowhere near discussing the NCAA Tournament throughout the season, but he toured the Pac-12 Tournament to secure the league’s automatic bid. They have since eliminated Tennessee’s No. 5 and Oklahoma State’s No. 4 in the Midwest Regional to secure their first appearance on Sweet 16 since 1982.
Exploring the Ramblers – No. 8 seed Loyola Chicago is playing the role of Cinderella again after advancing to Sweet 16 due to wins over No. 9 seed Georgia Tech and a defeat over No. 1 seed Illinois. The Ramblers are led by the big shot Cameron Krutwig, a veteran who participated in the 2018 Final Four race. Coach Porter Moser and big sister Jean, now 101, are also familiar faces from that race.
No. 11 Syracuse vs. No. 2 Houston
- When: Saturday at 21:55
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
Exploring the orange – Syracuse barely made it onto the NCAA tournament field, but after victories over San Diego State and West Virginia, Orange is dancing to Sweet 16. The zone’s main defense remains a staple under 76-year-old coach Jim Boeheim , and this team can really let you fly from the depths. Jim’s son Buddy leads offensively as an effective 3-point volume shooter. This will be the show’s seventh appearance on Sweet 16 since 2009.
Exploring the Cougars – Houston completed a recovery of 10 points less at the end of the second half to defeat Rutgers and advance to his second consecutive Sweet 16 following his burst victory in the first round over Cleveland State. It was a brave effort for the runner-up at Cougars, who are one of the best defensive teams in the country and a good 3-point pitch team. With the transfer from Kansas, Quentin Grimes, leading the way, this team has proven its worth in some clutch situations recently.
South region
No. 5 Villanova vs. Nº 1 Baylor
- When: Saturday at 17:15 Eastern Time
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Exploring the Wildcats – Villanova is back on Sweet 16 for the third time in the last five seasons – seventh overall appearance under coach Jay Wright – after wins over Winthrop Championship No. 12 and North Texas 13th. Wildcats have a slow, slow pace that prioritizes efficient attack, but that style hasn’t stopped them from running in the first two rounds of action with ease. Keep an eye on Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who is the heart and soul of this team in the absence of an injured senior Collin Gillespie.
Exploring bears – Baylor looked great in the second round victory over Wisconsin, and with No. 2 seed Ohio State already eliminated from the South Regional, Bears has a manageable path to the Final Four. The program has never gone this far before, but with veteran guards Jared Butler, MaCio Teague and Davion Mitchell leading, this team has the talent and experience to cut some nets.
No. 15 Oral Roberts vs. No. 3 Arkansas
- When: Saturday at 19h25
- Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
Exploring the Golden Eagles – Oral Roberts became only the second No. 15 seed in history to advance to Sweet 16 after victories over 2nd place in Ohio and No. 7 in Florida in the first and second rounds. Led by the country’s top scorer, Max Abmas, and a wonderful companion to Kevin Obanor, the Golden Eagles have two lethal offensive weapons that have proven their ability throughout the year to accompany any team at any conference.
Exploring Razorbacks – Arkansas is advancing to Sweet 16 for the first time since 1996. Coach Eric Musselman and his squad of heavy transfers escaped scares against Colgate and Texas Tech in the first and second rounds to reach a new high point for this new era of Razorbacks . His unique blend of young and old talent helps fuel this defensive juggernaut – led by the lottery talent Moses Moody and Indiana by transferring Justin Smith – who has now won 11 of his last 12 games.
West Regional
(5) Creighton vs. (1) Gonzaga
- When: Sunday at 2:10 pm (Eastern Time)
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Exploring the Bluejays – Creighton narrowly survived a UC-Santa Barbara test in the first round before doing well in a victory over No. 13 Ohio seeds in the second round to make the program’s first Sweet 16 since 1974. With one of the best 3 defense kicks in Marcus Zegarowski and Mitch Ballock, the Bluejays have an elite attack and a decent defense as well. Zegarowski, Damien Jefferson and Denzel Mahoney, each on average, more than one robbery per game.
Exploring the Bulldogs – Gonzaga annihilated Norfolk State in the first round and moved away from Oklahoma in the second round. As the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, this team is led by a star trio from wing Corey Kispert, central Drew Timme and guard Jalen Suggs. Behind them, there is a group of excellent actors. What makes this Gonzaga team better than its predecessors, however, is Suggs. He is a truly unique talent who is adopting his role as a distributor and disruptive defensive force.
(7) Oregon vs. (6) USC
- When: Sunday at 21:45
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
Exploring the ducks – Oregon smothered Iowa in the second round to reach Sweet 16 for the fifth time under the command of 11th-year coach Dana Altman. All five Ducks holders average two digits, and the veteran group is led by senior guard Chris Duarte. He scored 23 in the Ducks’ second-round victory over Iowa and is an effective 3-point shooter, capable of quickly changing the course of a game. This is a list with many transfers, which has only improved over the course of the season, and seems to be clicking at the right time.
Exploring Trojans – The USC made its first Sweet 16 since 2007 by defeating Drake and Kansas behind a combination of external shooting and internal dominance. With brothers Evan and Isaiah Mobley leading from the inside, this is also one of the best pitch-blocking teams in the country. Transfers Tahj Eaddy and Drew Peterson have been wonderful on the perimeter to help this program run its best season under eighth grade coach Andy Enfield.
East Regional
(4) State of Florida vs. (1) Michigan
- When: Sunday at 17:00 ET
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Exploring the Seminoles– The state of Florida is typically known for its defense under veteran coach Leonard Hamilton, but this team can also score. The Seminoles have been an excellent 3-point pitching team this season and have kept their first two opponents in the NCAA Tournament with less than 55 points. There is not a single star with this team, but a 10-man rotation consisting mainly of veterans who understand what Hamilton expects.
Exploring Wolverines – Michigan started 18-1 before losing three of their last five games by entering the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines seem to be back on track after defeating Texas Southern and LSU in the first two rounds. This team is playing without its best player, striker Isaiah Livers, who is out with a foot injury. But with the 2.10-meter freshman phenomenon, Hunter Dickinson, injured on the pole and a group of veterans in the guard position, coach Juwan Howard’s team has the maturity and depth to continue working.
(11) UCLA vs. (2) Alabama
- When: Sunday at 7:15 pm
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
Exploring the Bruins – After losing at First Four during his last appearance at the NCAA Tournament in 2018, UCLA ended up back at First Four this season and used it as a springboard. The Bruins came back from an 11-point handicap to beat Michigan State in their first game and then defeated BYU and Abilene Christian to reach Sweet 16. Second-year winger Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Johnny Juzang emerged as the best offensive option for this squad, but all five matches can reach double digits.
Exploring the Crimson Tide– Alabama defeated Iona and Maryland to reach the program’s first Sweet 16 since 2004. Crimson Tide is best known for his 3-point shots, but second-year coach Nate Oats also has this team playing a great defense. That is the reason why this team seems to be made to last: it can stay in games even when the kicks are not falling due to its strength. The heart and soul of this squad is SEC Player of the Year, Herb Jones. Senior 6-8 does a little bit for his team.