Power ranking every team who made the Sweet 16

NCAA Tournament 2018: Ranking remaining teams in Sweet 16

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Oshae Brissett #11 of the Syracuse Orange battles for the ball with Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 18: Oshae Brissett #11 of the Syracuse Orange battles for the ball with Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Kansas State has had some good wins throughout the season, but the Wildcats have yet to really prove themselves in this year’s tourney. They entered the Big Dance with 11 losses and have already escaped a potential nightmare matchup as No. 1 seed Virginia lost in the first round to 16-seeded UMBC. The Retrievers were unable to continue the magical run, losing to ninth-seeded Kansas State in the second round. Creighton and UMBC aren’t exactly elite wins.

Loyola (IL) is a team that everyone should be keeping an eye on. The Ramblers were a popular upset pick over 6-seeded Miami in the first round and they took care of business at the buzzer. They then faced 3-seed Tennessee in the second round and prevailed in the final seconds yet again to earn their 30th win of the season. This Cinderella is a lot more talented than people think.

For yet another season, a play-in winner will be playing in the Sweet 16. Syracuse has been known for making unthinkable deep runs in March when no one gives the Orange a chance. They beat Arizona State in the play-in, then knocked out TCU in round one and then shocked Michigan State in the second round to advance to the Sweet 16. Why aren’t they ranked higher? They are offensively, and depth, challenged.

Who thought Florida State would have made it this far? Not me, that’s for sure, but the Seminoles continue to surprise as they took down No. 1 seed Xavier in the round of 32. That victory alone is enough to jump them ahead of teams like Syracuse, Kansas State and Loyola (IL), but is this improbable run just a fluke or have the Seminoles underachieved all year and are finally hitting their stride? We will find out in the Sweet 16.

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