March Madness 2021: Reranking the Sweet 16 – Who’s winning the NCAA Tournament?

Ranking the Sweet 16 teams still alive in March Madness and determining who has the best chance of cutting down the nets and winning the NCAA Tournament.

For anyone that thought they knew what was going to transpire in March Madness, my condolences for being wrong. With only three of the No. 1 seeds in addition to four double-digit seeds and only two No. 2 seeds and one No. 3 seed making it to the Sweet 16, this 2021 NCAA Tournament was nearly impossible to predict through the first two rounds of action.

Now that we’ve had a moment to catch our collective breath after four-straight days of nonstop March Madness action, though, it’s time to assess the situation at hand. More pointedly, it’s time to look at the teams that made it to the Sweet 16, whether expected or not, and try to figure out where we’re heading from here.

The best way to do that is to put each team under the microscope and see where they stand in relation to the other teams that have made it to this point. As such, we’re re-ranking the teams still dancing in March Madness as the Sweet 16 is upon us.

Reranking the Sweet 16 teams in March Madness

16. Villanova Wildcats (No. 5 seed)

Villanova was a popular pick to be upset by Winthrop in the Round of 64 thanks to the absence of Collin Gillespie. However, Jay Wright’s Wildcats have survived and got hot from 3-point range against North Texas to shellack them. Even still, they are without their best player and haven’t been tested by a single-digit seed. Trouble is likely lurking.

15. Creighton Bluejays (No. 5 seed)

It’s hard to not look at Creighton and believe that they could suffer a similar fate to Iowa’s in the Round of 32. Marcus Zegarowski and the Bluejays are a high-end offensive team that can score at all positions but their defense leaves something to be desired. Especially with a matchup against Gonzaga looming, that’ll likely expose this team.

14. Oregon State Beavers (No. 12 seed)

Getting hot at the right time is always a key to the NCAA Tournament and Oregon State’s run is full evidence of that. Ethan Thomas is a big-time playmaker but the Beavers love to make things messy, especially with a defense that flies around and makes things consistently tough. How long will the magic last? That question even being asked shows the propensity to drop off.

13. Syracuse Orange (No. 11 seed)

How cool of a story is it that Jim Boeheim snuck into the tournament in his mid-70s and is now being led to the Sweet 16 by his son, Buddy Boeheim? Syracuse has shocked us twice already and they are the ultimate spoiler with an elite shooter/scorer coupled with a unique defense with the 2-3 zone. What their ceiling in March is, however, remains to be seen.

12. Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (No. 15 seed)

Not expected to get past Ohio State with even a whimper, Oral Roberts is only the second No. 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16. Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor are the best 1-2 punch in March Madness and they unapologetically rely on them. That may make them one-dimensional but ask OSU and Florida how easy it is to stop.

11. UCLA Bruins (No. 11 seed)

The only team in the Sweet 16 to win three games thanks to their spot in the First Four, Mick Cronin and the Bruins have found whatever they were looking for without Chris Smith. This team may not have the high-end talent that the other opponents will but UCLA is thriving right now and has multiple ways to win.

10. Houston Cougars (No. 2 seed)

An injury to DeJon Jarreau made things tough for Houston against Rutgers and, frankly, the Cougars should’ve lost given the circumstances. This is a great defensive team but, if Jarreau is slowed down with his hip injury, Houston just seems way too vulnerable to fully buy into, even if they are impressive overall.

9. Florida State Seminoles (No. 4 seed)

Leonard Hamilton’s Seminoles are likely the best collection of athletes in March Madness but they are still prone to some inconsistency, especially on offense. That was evident in a near upset against UNC-Greensboro and could be evident further. Then again, if they can string performances together, their raw talent can carry them far.

8. Oregon Ducks (No. 7 seed)

Advancing via a COVID-related no contest in the First Round, we didn’t know what to expect from Oregon. Well, the Ducks made no mistake they belong after dispatching Iowa. Chris Duarte and an experienced top-to-bottom rotation give the team a legitimate edge. Their balanced approach gives them the chops to be in the mix every night when at full strength.

7. Michigan Wolverines (No. 1 seed)

If Isaiah Livers were on the floor for Michigan, they would undoubtedly be higher in these rankings. Despite the veteran’s injury, though, Juwan Howard’s Wolverines have looked good on the back of a top-tier defense and with Eli Brooks rising to the biggest occasion. Michigan’s title hopes have largely been dashed but they may not be done making noise.

6. USC Trojans (No. 6 seed)

Evan Mobley is going to be a top-three pick in the 2021 NFL Draft but it felt as if USC’s potential was limited because of the Trojans supporting cast around the big man, aside from brother Isaiah. Especially in a rout of Kansas, though, USC is helping out Mobley and the results are deadly. Andy Enfield’s team might be the team getting hot at the exact right time.

5. Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 3 seed)

Despite playing two tightly contested games, the Razorbacks are absolutely for real. Eric Musselman’s team is capable of playing close and pulling away at the right time behind playmakers such as Moses Moody and JD Notae. Their defense will need to hold up moving forward but they can score with anyone.

4. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (No. 8 seed)

Thoughts of Porter Moser getting the Ramblers to the Final Four being a fluke are no more. Loyola-Chicago knocked off No. 1 seed Illinois and boasts the most efficient defense in college basketball. With Cameron Krutwig flexing his experience and playmaking chops in every facet, it’s clear that the Ramblers were under-seeded and are capable of winning any game.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 2 seed)

Nate Oats’ Alabama team chucked up 33 attempts from 3-point range to topple Maryland and hit 16 of them. That’s their M.O. as the Crimson Tide are the most lethal team in the Sweet 16 from deep. That’s exacerbated by their lockdown defense — and both factors could carry them all the way to a title.

2. Baylor Bears (No. 1 seed)

After some late-season hiccups, Baylor looks back in form thus far in March Madness. Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell are in form on offense but the Bears attacking style of defense is made for the NCAA Tournament. Things haven’t worked out for the Big 12 thus far but Scott Drew’s team is a different breed.

1. Gonzaga Bulldogs (No. 1 seed)

In wins over Norfolk State and Oklahoma, Mark Few’s team left no doubt that their undefeated regular season was the start of big things for Gonzaga. The Bulldogs are multi-faceted and lethal on offense but their defense remains intensely underrated. They’ve been clicking since the season tipped off and haven’t let up.

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