March Madness 2019: Re-ranking the Sweet 16 teams

It was fairly chalk during the opening weekend of March Madness 2019, meaning the best teams are still the best teams.

Unless you were riding Belmont or UC-Irvine all the way to a Cinderella berth in the Final Four, this weekend probably finished up pretty close to how you had it in your bracket. The guy who gets crazy on purpose and loses all his money is bummed, but anyone with a speck of analytical ability is cheering right now.

So while the best team may not be a surprise, there are some close calls based on momentum and health as we rerank the Sweet 16:

1. Duke

Won 85-62 over North Dakota State on Friday, then 77-76 over UCF on Sunday

Duke is on top until they get knocked down. In crunch time, the Blue Devils reminded everyone of that. As long as they have Zion Williamson, you can’t bet against Duke.

2. North Carolina

Won 88-73 over Iona on Friday, then 81-59 over Washington on Sunday

ACC forever. The Tar Heels looked dominant yet again on Sunday, blowing holes through the Husky zone and reminding everyone they are probably the highest-floor two-way team in the country. If Nassir Little keeps up his performance, North Carolina has a real chance to go all the way.

3. Gonzaga

Won 87-49 over Fairleigh Dickinson on Thursday, then 83-71 over Baylor on Saturday

With Brandon Clarke at full strength, Killian Tillie healthy and providing smart offensive play off the bench, and the team shooting well, Gonzaga hasn’t missed Rui Hachmiura. That will change next weekend against Florida State, but for now the Zags can revel in two huge wins.

4. Virginia

Won 71-56 over Gardner-Webb on Friday, then 63-51 over Oklahoma on Sunday

The final No. 1 seed simply hasn’t had to prove it against elite competition yet. That will continue next weekend against Oregon, but the Cavaliers haven’t done anything to suggest they won’t be up to the task when they finally are challenged.

5. Texas Tech

Won 72-57 over Northern Kentucky on Friday, then 78-58 over Buffalo on Sunday

The 3-seed Red Raiders jump over the remaining 2-seeds because they simply have not been challenged whatsoever in two big wins. They are getting scoring from up and down the roster, saving Jarrett Culver for when they really will need him, and lining up for a nice Elite Eight matchup with Michigan.

6. Michigan State

Won 76-65 over Bradley on Thursday, then 70-50 over Minnesota on Sunday

The Spartans took down Minnesota as the Gophers were without their best player, senior Jordan Murphy, most of the game. They may have been lucky in that contest, but a plus-31 scoring margin speaks for itself.

7. Kentucky

Won 79-44 over Abilene Christian on Thursday, then 62-56 over Wofford on Sunday

To beat Wofford without P.J. Washington is remarkable. Kentucky hasn’t missed a beat without its best player and is still just as fearsome as ever with their defense locking down and big man depth helping to make up for Washington’s absence.

8. Michigan

Won 74-55 over Montana on Thursday, then 64-49 over Florida on Saturday

We should probably give Michigan more credit for the Florida win. Instead, it seems they may have just erased the shine of the Gators’ SEC Tournament performance and survived.

9. Tennessee

Won 77-70 over Colgate on Friday, then 83-77 over Iowa on Sunday

A questionable foul call saved Iowa’s season against the Vols Sunday morning, but barely squeaking out two wins over double-digit seeds is scary if you’re a Tennessee fan.

10. LSU

Won 79-74 over Yale on Thursday, then 69-67 over Maryland on Saturday

The Tigers could have lost both of their games but Tremont Waters has been incredible and LSU has the balance to pull of a deep run.

11. Florida State

Won 76-69 over Vermont on Thursday, then 90-62 over Murray State on Saturday

One great guard and a lock-down defense can win in March. The Seminoles’ beat down of Ja Morant and the Racers speaks for itself here.

12. Virginia Tech

Won 66-52 over Saint Louis on Friday, then 67-58 over Liberty on Sunday

No wins over a single-digit seed yet, but Virginia Tech has already beaten Duke once this year and with Justin Robinson back and playing well, the Hokies have a fighter’s chance.

13. Houston

Won 84-55 over Georgia State on Friday, then 74-59 over Ohio State on Sunday

Like Virginia Tech, Houston hasn’t beaten a great team yet. But after a deep run last March, the Cougars are for real. Their plus-44 scoring margin is scary if you’re Kentucky playing them next Friday.

14. Auburn

Won 78-77 over New Mexico State on Thursday, then 89-75 over Kansas on Sunday

It’s time the world finally realize this year’s Kansas team was not good. Auburn overcame it’s near-collapse against New Mexico State and dominated over Kansas. It must have felt great to see Bryce Brown really get hot shooting as well. Watch out.

15. Purdue

Won 61-48 over Old Dominion on Thursday, then 87-61 over Villanova on Saturday

I will not be convinced the Boilermakers have anything real to say in this tournament until Carsen Edwards dishes more than 1 assist and shoots fewer than 20 times in the same game. That lack of balance will damn Purdue against Tennessee next weekend.

16. Oregon

Won 72-54 over Wisconsin on Friday, then 73-54 over UC-Irvine on Sunday

From my vantage point over in Pac-12 country, the Ducks aren’t very good. But they’ve won their past 10 games starting the last day of February, so maybe the Madness really is all that matters.