The NCAA men’s basketball tournament “Sweet 16” begins Thursday and concludes Friday before the regional finals for each quadrant begin.
After the first two rounds, the top teams remaining in the Big Dance are becoming clear. While most matchups have been chokes (higher seeds defeating lower seeds), the strongest remaining schools are starting to emerge.
But who is the best of the best? Read below for the top five teams remaining in the field.
And if they’re still in the bracket, kudos to you.
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Five).creighton blue jays
Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman tries to pass the ball during the first half of an NCAA Tournament first round game against Akron on Thursday at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
The Big East Conference could probably have more than three teams in the tournament, but that’s a discussion for another day. The teams that advance in their conferences are still in the tournament and will have some big matchups in the Sweet 16.
Creighton is one of them, and they are one of the best teams left. The Blue Jays have proven to be very efficient in the field, shooting 48.5% from the field. That efficiency will help the team against Tennessee, which ranks in the top 50 in points allowed with just 67 points per game.
The Volantes are one of the best teams in the country and could trade the No. 5 spot with the Blue Jays. But Creighton can shoot the ball at their best, and Tennessee will have to shoot really well in their matchup and guard senior guard Baylor Scheierman hard.
next match: Tennessee
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Four).market golden eagles
Marquette’s Tyler Kolek, right, celebrates with teammate Oso Ighodalo during the second half of a college basketball game against Colorado in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday. do. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Speaking of the Big East, Marquette is still fighting to keep dancing all the way to the national championship. Head coach Shaka Smart has his team ready to make waves in the tournament and has done so thus far.
Marquette picked up early wins against Western Kentucky and Colorado State. And now they have a matchup against the hottest North Carolina State team that could put fate on their side, but they could also face a blowout loss against the Golden Eagles.
The Golden Eagles are shooting 48.2% from the field and have a plus-8.7 point differential. Needless to say, playing against opponents like UConn and Creighton helped prepare for games like this.
Good luck to stopping guards Cam Jones and Tyler Kolek.
next match: NC status
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3).Illinois fighting Illinois
Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. hits the basket and reacts after being fouled by Duquesne during the first half of an NCAA Tournament second-round game Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. (AP Photo/Charlie Neighborgal)
Don’t look now. But Illinois has had some impressive basketball showings this past week. The University of Illinois took on Morehead State University in the first round and overwhelmed Duquesne University, which had some momentum after a come-from-behind victory over BYU.
The next test will be against Iowa State, one of the Big 12 Conference’s top teams all year. Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. will be a key factor as he averages 23.3 points per game. He helped the team score at least 80 points in the last four games.
Illinois ranks ninth in the nation with 84.6 points per game. Meanwhile, Iowa State ranks fourth in terms of points allowed with 61.3 points. We’re going to have to give something up against them.
next match: Iowa
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2).purdue boiler maker
From left: Purdue’s Zach celebrates with teammates Lance Jones and Myles Colvin during the second half of the NCAA Tournament’s second round game against Utah State on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Edie. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Has Purdue finally turned the corner? Will this be the year the Boilermakers make it to the regional finals? Very likely.
Purdue big man Zach Eady had 23 points and 14 rebounds against Utah State, and Brayden Smith and Lance Jones are both averaging about 12 points per game. Moving forward will take a team effort, and Purdue knows that.
“I don’t feel satisfied,” Eady said after the win over the Aggies. “I didn’t come back to make the Sweet 16. I came back to make runs, deep runs.”
This week is their chance to make a statement. Watch out, Gonzaga.
next match: Gonzaga
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1).university huskies
UW’s Tristen Newton gestures after making a 3-point shot during a first-round NCAA Tournament game against Stetson on March 22 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
There is a good chance the University Con Huskies will win back-to-back national championships. They defeated Stetson and Northwestern in the first and second rounds, respectively, and show no signs of slowing down.
A rematch with San Diego State from the 2023 National Championship awaits Thursday night, but the team playing in the Sweet 16 this year will be a very different team.
The Huskies averaged 81.6 points per game this season in a conference that still has three schools in the tournament. Additionally, they faced Marquette three times, winning every game, and getting accustomed to the big-time atmosphere that March Madness brings along the way. UW has also been strong defensively, allowing just 63.9 points per game.
More of the same is expected of them in the match against the Aztecs.
next match: San Diego State
