3/16 March Madness Power Rankings
Introduction
It’s finally here. The moment you’ve all been waiting for. The field is set to compete for a shot at college basketball glory as the 2021 National NCAA Basketball Tournament sets top tip off this Thursday, March 18th. Sixty eight teams were invited to participate in Indiana this year in a controlled environment to help combat the spread of COVID-19. I’ve been waiting for this weekend for a long time and I would be lying if I said I haven’t constructed multiple brackets in the little amount of time that has passed since Selection Sunday. If you’d like to participate in my ESPN NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Challenge, click this link:
This group allows unlimited entries and is free to play, so join now and see how you fare against the competition. With that, here’s my final power rankings before things kick off on Thursday.
Dis-Honorable Mention: Louisville
Previous Ranking: N/A
Analysis: Louisville was the first team out of the NCAA tournament this year and ultimately missed the cut. They’re on standby in case a team is dismissed or opts out due to covid, but if they would’ve won in the conference tournament, they likely wouldn’t be in this spot. Tough break this season for Louisville.
Honorable Mention: Wisconsin
Previous Ranking: 20
Analysis: Despite falling out of the top 25 completely, I think Wisconsin is being severely underrated. They’re efficient and experienced, having played in many ncaa tournaments in years past. They’re better than their ninth seed suggests and could make a case for upsetting Baylor in the second round. Not saying it’ll happen, but it’s possible.
Honorable Mention: St Bonaventure
Previous Ranking: N/A
Analysis: St Bonaventure is red hot approaching the tournament thanks to an all around balanced rotation. The ninth seeded Bonnies face off against an eighth seeded LSU squad in what’s sure to be a great matchup.
Top 25
25. BYU (20–6)
Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention
Analysis: BYU cracks my top 25 to end the season before the tournament based off of how hot they’ve been lately. They had a real chance to knock off number one Gonzaga, but crumbled in the second half and ultimately fell short of an incredible upset. Nevertheless, this team is going to certainly make some waves in the tournament as a six seed.
24. Connecticut (15–7)
Previous Ranking: N/A
Analysis: UCONN is new to the top 25 this week after playing well enough as of late against other tournament teams to earn the right to crack this list. The Huskies are the last team to beat the Big East conference champions Georgetown in March 6th season and barely lost to Creighton in the same tournament.
23. Texas Tech (17–10)
Previous Ranking: 18
Analysis: Texas Tech struggled down the stretch and barely makes the top 25 after ranking near the top ten most weeks. The Red Raiders have talent, though, and could potentially make it to the sweet sixteen if they can get by Utah State first.
22. Colorado (22–8)
Previous Ranking: N/A
Analysis: Colorado is back in the top 25 after a narrow victory over USC in the Pac-12 conference tournament. They lost to Oregon State in the Pac-12 Final, but impressed the committee enough to get a five seed in this year’s national tournament. We’ll see if they can get past Big East conference title winner Georgetown.
21. USC (22–7)
Previous Ranking: 17
Analysis: Despite a loss to Colorado in the Pac-12 conference tournament, USC remains in the top 25 this week approaching their first matchup on Saturday. I think USC is a dangerous team as a six seed as they have the potential to pull off an upset and make a run deep into March. Evan Mobley is the name to remember when picking your bracket.
20. San Diego State (23–4)
Previous Ranking: 23
Analysis: Another sixth seeded team, San Diego State looks to knock off Syracuse in the first round after getting revenge on Utah State and earning the Mountain West title. SDSU is red hot and could also pull off a few upsets in this year’s national tournament.
19. Creighton (20–8)
Previous Ranking: 12
Analysis: I’m just going to say it. I don’t like Creighton that much, but they’ve shown flashes of being hard to beat and I think their history/experience in March could benefit them this year. They’re playing 12th seeded UCSB in a game that could very well be lopsided in favor of either team. If you’re picking a twelve seed to upset a five seed, pick UCSB over Creighton.
18. Oklahoma State (20–8)
Previous Ranking: N/A
Analysis: Oklahoma State beat Baylor and everyone pooped their pants over how good they are. They then lost to Texas in the Big 12 tournament, but apparently did enough to get a four seed in the bracket. Cade Cunningham is likely to be the first overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, so they’ll need a big contribution from him if they want to make it to this year’s tournament final.
17. Purdue (18–9)
Previous Ranking: 24
Analysis: I like the Boilermakers a lot this year because of their ability to keep games close against any opponent. They took Ohio State to overtime in the Big Ten Tournament after previously knocking off Wisconsin. Purdue was recognized for their play by the selection committee and granted Purdue a four seed. They face North Texas who is not an easy opponent, but Purdue should do plenty to get by and start their tournament run this season.
16. West Virginia (18–9)
Previous Ranking: 13
Analysis: West Virginia just lost back to back games against Oklahoma State but I still don’t think Oklahoma State is a better team. The selection committee agreed as the Mountaineers were given a three seed this season in the NCAA tournament. Morehead St won the Ohio Valley and beat Eastern Kentucky and Belmont to do so. I think Morehead St has a chance to pull off a big upset because the Mountaineers aren’t exactly heating up. We’ll see.
15. Texas (19–7)
Previous Ranking: 15
Analysis: Texas beat the red hot Cowboys of Oklahoma State and have won their last five games heading into the tournament. As a three seed, Texas barely missed out on a chance as a two seed and is a great team that I expect to make the sweet sixteen.
14. Kansas (20–8)
Previous Ranking: 19
Analysis: After falling dangerously low in my rankings not too long ago, Kansas is back on track and looks to do some damage as a three seed in the tournament. I wouldn’t be too worried about Eastern Washington if I were a Kansas fan, but the Jayhawks have been inconsistent this year. I’m not sure this is the year we see them cutting down the nets.
13. FSU (16–6)
Previous Ranking: 10
Analysis: FSU somehow lost to Georgia Tech in the ACC tournament and truthfully that is not boding well for their chance at a title run. UNCG won a competitive Southern Conference Title as the top seed in their conference. FSU shouldn’t have much trouble in the first round, but they face a tough path to the final four.
12. Villanova (16–6)
Previous Ranking: 7
Analysis: Villanova was pretty disappointing this year after they were sidelined due to COVID-19. Losses to Butler, Providence, and Georgetown spring doubt into my brain and I don’t think I can trust them to make another title run this year. They’re a five seed, but are also on upset alert against twelfth seeded Winthrop who finished the season 23–1 and blew past every team in the Big South.
11. Loyola Chicago (24–4)
Previous Ranking: 16
Analysis: I couldn’t be more upset to see Loyola Chicago as an eight seed with a potential second round match-up against red hot Illinois. This team is dangerous and will likely take care of business with ease in the first round against Georgia Tech.
10. Virginia (18–6)
Previous Ranking: 11
Analysis: Virginia just doesn’t really look like the team I thought they were a few months ago. They dropped two games in a row against Duke and NC State who weren’t even close to making the NCAA tournament. I think Virginia has a favorable matchup against Ohio, but it could get rocky after that.
9. Arkansas (22–6)
Previous Ranking: 21
Analysis: The Razorbacks are young, fast, and love to score points. They’re fun to watch and could be very dangerous as a three seed. They’ll have to get passed a similar opponent in Colgate to do that, though.
8. Ohio State (21–9)
Previous Ranking: 5
Analysis: Ohio State deserved the two seed they were given by the committee after leaving everything on the line and ultimately falling short of knocking off Illinois in the Big Ten final
7. Alabama (24–6)
Previous Ranking: 6
Analysis: Alabama is the best team in a disappointing SEC this year. I like the Crimson Tide as a two seed to make it to the sweet sixteen, but I’m not sold the SEC will have a NCAA champion this season.
6. Houston (24–3)
Previous Ranking: 9
Analysis: Houston took care of business in the AAC tournament despite a close scare against Memphis. I’m not sold on Houston as a top team this year, but they play great defense and could prove me wrong. Cleveland State is no easy opponent, though.
5. Iowa (21–8)
Previous Ranking: 8
Analysis: Iowa is wildly inconsistent, but they’ve been pretty good as of late. They’re a two seed this year, but could’ve been a one seed if they lived up to their true potential. Let’s see if Luka Garza can do enough to bring back a title for the Hawkeyes.
4. Michigan (20–4)
Previous Ranking: 3
Analysis: Michigan fell to a desperate Ohio State team in the Big Ten tournament, but still impressed the committee enough to get a shot as a one seed in the NCAA tournament. Michigan started the season off many experts’ radar and could continue to surprise everyone and finish the season as the eventual title winner.
3. Baylor (22–2)
Previous Ranking: 2
Analysis: Baylor lost to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament, but still did enough to get a top seed in the tournament. This team is talented on both ends of the court and has a chance to make a real run at the NCAA title.
2. Illinois (23–6)
Previous Ranking: 4
Analysis: Illinois is on fire after winning the Big Ten conference tournament and earned a top seed in this year’s national tournament. I like this team a lot and think they have a real chance at making it to the finals this season. They’ve looked great against other top Big Ten teams and I expect that to continue.
1. Gonzaga (26–0)
Previous Ranking: 1
Analysis: Gonzaga is the undisputed number one team heading into the tournament. They are seemingly playing on another level compared to the rest of the field, but anything can happen. Gonzaga hopes to be the first team since 1978?? to finish the season undefeated as a national champion.
