Reranking the 32 males’s groups left in March Madness

We’re relief to foul the final 32 groups in the 2026 males’s NCAA tournament.

In past years, we called this a reseeding, but we own now scrapped that technique to acknowledge this inquire of: Who are the actual final groups in the enviornment?

This season, the acknowledge is complicated. Partly because of we do no longer know who will seemingly be on hand for the second spherical. Will Patrick Ngongba II return for Duke? What about Iowa Notify big name Joshua Jefferson, who suffered an ankle break early in Friday’s salvage over Tennessee Notify? Tyler Bilodeau uncared for UCLA’s victory over UCF in the gap spherical. UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. similarly sat out Friday. Alabama did no longer own an break, alternatively it did seem to rob a step relief without embattled big name Aden Holloway as it evolved past Hofstra.

The subsequent spherical also doesn’t peek significantly chalky. The highest four seeds in each situation went 4-0 in the spherical of 64 for the second straight year and for the seventh time since growth in 1985. But all four 9-seeds also evolved — the main time this has occurred since 2019 and the sixth time overall in tournament history. And, we own now a handful of double-digit seeds.

Level-headed, in step with what everyone knows correct now, and taking a peek at the implications from the gap spherical — and mostly the total physique of work for every team — we own now produced these rankings.

Scrutinize how the spherical of 32 used to be situation:

Thursday | Friday

1. Arizona Wildcats
Long-established seed: No. 1 (West)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 16 Long Island 92-58 (Friday)

Jaden Bradley, the Gargantuan 12 Participant of the Year, scored correct seven in Friday’s salvage over Long Island — and the Wildcats composed had 92 capabilities. Brayden Burries (18 capabilities) and Koa Peat (15 capabilities), a pair of NBA possibilities, were two of 5 Zona gamers who had eight or more capabilities, continuing their success as a balanced squad. Furthermore of show: Tommy Lloyd’s squad is 39% from the three-point line all via its contemporary 10-game winning chase.

Up next: vs. Utah Notify (Sunday, 7:50 p.m. ET, truTV)

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2. Duke Blue Devils
Long-established seed: No. 1 overall (East)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 16 Siena 71-65 (Thursday)

Cameron Boozer and his team were immediate-handed in opposition to Siena, and it showed. The Blue Devils became the main 1-seed in the history of the NCAA tournament to path a 16-seed by double digits at halftime Thursday, per ESPN Be taught. They clearly uncared for Patrick Ngongba II‘s protection and Caleb Foster‘s 3-point shooting. But Boozer overpowered the Saints, finishing 13-for-14 from the free throw line in the salvage. The Blue Devils also held Siena to 8-for-34 shooting after halftime, with the the same elite protection (second in adjusted effectivity on KenPom) that fueled wins this season over Kansas, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan and Michigan Notify.

Up next: vs. TCU (Saturday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)

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3. Florida Gators
Long-established seed: No. 1 (South)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 16 Prairie See A&M 114-55 (Friday)

The Gators’ 39-point halftime advantage over Prairie See A&M is tied for the second largest lead at the break in NCAA tournament history, per ESPN Be taught. Their efficiency is also an extension of their terminate to-flawless salvage to the 2025-26 season. Florida has obtained 13 of its past 14 video games, in conjunction with 12 straight earlier than a loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC tournament semifinal. Seven of these were obtained by 19 or more capabilities, in conjunction with a 100-77 salvage over Alabama on Feb. 1 and an 111-77 rout of Arkansas on Feb. 28. No team in The US is taking half in larger.

Up next: vs. Iowa (Sunday, 7:10 p.m. ET, TBS)

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4. Michigan Wolverines
Long-established seed: No. 1 (Midwest)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 16 Howard 101-80 (Thursday)

The Wolverines’ huge frontcourt used to be the anchor of a dominant season for Dusty Would possibly per chance possibly well moreover merely’s squad, which obtained the Gargantuan Ten typical-season title. On Thursday, these gargantuan stars were saved out of the lane by Howard’s zone. As soon as Michigan figured it out, though — with 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara taking half in over the fracture and dominating — it would possibly per chance possibly no longer be stopped. The Wolverines made 46% of their 3-point attempts. This season, they’ve preferrred misplaced to a Wisconsin team that made 15 3-pointers, a Duke squad that used to be led by the national player of the year front-runner and a Purdue unit that made 60% of its photos inner the arc.

Up next: vs. Saint Louis (Saturday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)

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5. Houston Cougars
Long-established seed: No. 2 (South)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 15 Idaho 78-47 (Thursday)

The Cougars’ salvage over Idaho in the gap spherical used to be more proof Houston can pummel opponents with its defensive stress. The Vandals scored correct 47 capabilities (72 capabilities per 100 possessions). Beyond their three-game losing chase in February (at Iowa Notify, vs. Kansas, vs. Arizona), the Cougars own conducted treasure a national championship contender a year after losing to Florida in the title game. Freshman Kingston Flemings (18 capabilities, six rebounds, four assists, two steals in opposition to Idaho) appears to be like in a position to leading them relief to the championship game.

Up next: vs. Texas A&M (Saturday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)

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6. Iowa Notify Cyclones
Long-established seed: No. 2 (Midwest)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 15 Tennessee Notify 108-74 (Friday)

On the one hand, it be admirable Iowa Notify managed to ranking 108 capabilities in its salvage over Tennessee Notify, no topic Joshua Jefferson taking half in preferrred three minutes due to a sprained ankle. On the different hand, it be hard to place confidence in Iowa Notify going on a deep bustle if Jefferson, the AP second-team All-American, who sat on the bench in a strolling boot for the leisure of the game, is unavailable. Per EvanMiya, the Cyclones were 20.5 capabilities per 100 possessions larger this season with him on the bottom. With out him, they’re a definite team.

Up next: vs. Kentucky (Sunday, 2:Forty five p.m. ET, CBS)

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7. Illinois Combating Illini
Long-established seed: No. 3 (South)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 14 Penn 105-70 (Thursday)

The acceptable offensive team in the country will own exceeded its possess expectations when it registered an unworldly 197 capabilities per 100 possessions in the second half of of its salvage over Penn in the main spherical. David Mirkovic scored 29 capabilities and grabbed 17 rebounds, and Keaton Wagler, a second-team AP All-American, added 18 capabilities. That game marked the ninth instance of the Illini scoring 90 or more capabilities this season. If it wasn’t clear earlier than, Illinois’ offense, at its preferrred, can reach a level few groups in the enviornment can match.

Up next: vs. VCU (Saturday, 7:50 p.m. ET, CBS)

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8. Purdue Boilermakers
Long-established seed: No. 2 (West)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 15 Queens University 104-71 (Friday)

On Dec. 6, following a lopsided residence loss to Iowa Notify, many wrote Purdue off. There used to be no reason to place confidence in in another case because the season went on. In league play, Purdue — the AP preseason No. 1 team — used to be overshadowed by more compelling storylines at Michigan, Michigan Notify, Illinois and Nebraska. But, in their contemporary five-game winning chase, a bustle that involves the Gargantuan Ten tournament title-game victory over Michigan, the Boilermakers own, in the end, lived up to the preseason buzz. Trey Kaufman-Renn (17.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG in five video games) is taking half in treasure an All-American over again and Purdue has had the actual offense in the country all via that stretch.

Up next: vs. Miami (Sunday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)

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9. St. John’s Red Storm
Long-established seed: No. 5 (East)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 12 Northern Iowa seventy 9-Fifty three (Friday)

Last year’s St. John’s team used to be the controversy of Original York City and even made an look on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” But what if this model of Rick Pitino’s squad is even larger? The metrics between the two groups would possibly per chance be connected, but this team has an offensive chemistry that eluded final year’s team. Led by Zuby Ejiofor (16.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.1 BPG), the Johnnies obtained their 11th game Saturday by a margin of 20-plus capabilities. They were 37th in adjusted offensive effectivity all via their contemporary 20-1 chase too. Last year’s team used to be 74th overall.

Up next: vs. Kansas (Sunday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)

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10. UConn Huskies
Long-established seed: No. 2 (East)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 15 Furman 82-71 (Friday)

With five minutes to gallop in its salvage over Furman in the gap spherical, the Huskies were in a five-point game. They composed own the gamers to salvage their third national title in four years — a feat that hasn’t been finished since John Wooden walked the sidelines at UCLA — but they did no longer salvage via the main spherical with the the same excellence because the different contenders. They’re clearly a bigger team when Tarris Reed Jr. (31 capabilities, 27 rebounds in opposition to Furman) takes over, especially with Silas Demary Jr. out Friday due to an ankle break. They correct have not seemed treasure future champions in weeks.

Up next: vs. UCLA (Sunday, 8:Forty five p.m. ET, TNT)

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11. Michigan Notify Spartans
Long-established seed: No. 2 (East)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 15 Bryant 92-67 (Thursday)

The Spartans are led by even handed one of The US’s preferrred point guards in Jeremy Fears Jr., who recorded seven capabilities and 11 assists in the main spherical in opposition to North Dakota Notify on Thursday. It used to be the fifth time that Michigan Notify, which done in a 3-plan tie for second put in the Gargantuan Ten trudge, scored 90 capabilities or more this season. That offensive threshold is the stay end result of Michigan Notify’s contemporary effectiveness from the three-point line (50% from past the arc in opposition to NDSU). The Spartans own made 44% of their 3-point attempts over their past five video games.

Up next: vs. Louisville (Saturday, 2:Forty five p.m. ET, CBS)

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12. Arkansas Razorbacks
Long-established seed: No. 4 (West)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 13 Hawai’i 97-78 (Thursday)

No player in the country has outperformed Darius Acuff Jr. over the past month. On Thursday, the 6-foot-3 point guard done with 24 capabilities (2-for-5 from past the arc) and 7 assists — his fifth consecutive game and not utilizing a longer no longer up to 24 capabilities, five assists and two 3-pointers — in opposition to Hawai’i. But this team is also not just Acuff. Trevon Brazile and Meleek Thomas have been equally important contributors for an Arkansas squad that’s now won six games in a row, a run that includes the SEC tournament championship. During this streak, the Razorbacks have been 16th in adjusted offensive efficiency nationally and connected on 43% of their 3-point attempts.

Up next: vs. High Point (Saturday, 9:45 p.m., truTV/TBS)

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13. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Long-established seed: No. 4 (South)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 13 Troy 76-47 (Thursday)

Nebraska has the Gargantuan Ten’s preferrred protection. That used to be evident in its victory over Troy, which also resulted in the Huskers’ first NCAA tournament salvage. These Trojans were no longer straightforward, both. In November, they scored 108 capabilities in a double-time past legislation victory in opposition to San Diego Notify, a top-20 defensive team nationally. But on Thursday, they scored correct 47 capabilities and registered 77 capabilities per 100 possessions in opposition to the Cornhuskers. Offensively, Pryce Sandfort (23 capabilities) and his teammates linked on 34 3-pointers in their past three video games, however the elite protection has been the story of their season.

Up next: vs. Vanderbilt (Saturday, 8:Forty five p.m., TNT)

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14. Vanderbilt Commodores
Long-established seed: No. 5 (South)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 12 McNeese 78-68 (Thursday)

The Commodores adopted Tyler Tanner‘s lead over again to beat a complicated McNeese team. That has been the continuing fable for Vanderbilt. When Tanner (26 capabilities on Thursday), a 6-foot point guard who’s a projected first-spherical pick in the NBA draft, performs well his team recurrently wins. The Dores are 13-3 this season when he rankings no longer no longer up to twenty capabilities. The return of Duke Miles from a knee break leisurely final month has mattered, too: Vanderbilt has been seventh in adjusted offensive effectivity since he returned to assist his team reach the SEC tournament title game and advance to the second spherical of the NCAA tournament.

Up next: vs. Nebraska (Saturday, 8:Forty five p.m., TNT)

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15. Virginia Cavaliers
Long-established seed: No. 3 (Midwest)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 14 Wright Notify 82-73 (Friday)

This Virginia team doesn’t peek treasure the groups that were more methodical below Tony Bennett. Within the Ryan Odom period, practically half of of the Cavaliers’ enviornment goal attempts are 3-pointers, which will own seemed sacrilegious below the passe guard. But, it truly works: Virginia took down Wright Notify on Friday after making 13 photos from past the arc. The Cavs also play a protection that’s allowed correct one team (Miami) to exceed a 42% clip inner the arc over their past four video games. Even Duke done 17-for-40 from 2 in opposition to them in the ACC tournament. With Thijs De Ridder (double figures in 9 of his past 10 video games) and a solid protection, Virginia is a complicated opponent for any team.

Up next: vs. Tennessee (Sunday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)

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16. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Long-established seed: No. 3 (West)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 14 Kennesaw Notify 73-64 (Thursday)

The wins are no longer consistently magnificent for Gonzaga, but they build no longer wish to be. This season, the Zags own obtained 31 video games, a WCC tournament title and defeated groups similar to Kentucky, Alabama and UCLA, all with a scrappy technique that relies on second-likelihood alternatives, elite protection and dominance in the paint. Graham Ike (19 capabilities, eight rebounds in opposition to Kennesaw Notify) is the captain of the ship for Trace Few’s squad, which is ranked ninth nationally in adjusted defensive effectivity. But that is the worst 3-point shooting team (33.5%) Few has had at Gonzaga. The Bulldogs overcame a 3-for-18 clip from past the arc in opposition to the Owls on Thursday.

Up next: vs. Texas (Saturday, 7:10 p.m. ET, truTV/TBS)

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17. Alabama Crimson Tide
Long-established seed: No. 3 (Midwest)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 13 Hofstra 90-70 (Friday)

Nate Oats’ squad steamrolled a Hofstra team that had been a preferred upset pick after big name Aden Holloway used to be arrested on a prison drug payment Monday, some distance from campus and separated from the team. In its put, Labaron Philon Jr. (29 capabilities, eight rebounds, seven assists) proved he can also lift the load without the team’s most impactful offensive player, per EvanMiya. Alternatively, Philon also had five turnovers. And Alabama uncared for 24 of its 36 3-point attempts. Holloway is their preferrred 3-point shooter. The Crimson Tide can composed crush opponents with their scoring attack in this tournament, but they may be able to miss Holloway because the level of competition rises.

Up next: vs. Texas Tech (Sunday, 9:Forty five p.m. ET, TBS)

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18. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Long-established seed: No. 5 (Midwest)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 12 Akron 91-71 (Friday)

Despite being without All-American JT Toppin, the Red Raiders stay even handed one of The US’s top 3-point shooting groups. They’ve also been third in adjusted offensive effectivity without Toppin — even if they’re a sub-100 team defensively, per BartTorvik. That offensive energy gave them a have terminate after they scored 51 capabilities in the second half of in opposition to Akron. Jaylen Petty recorded a occupation-excessive 24 capabilities, while Christian Anderson added 18. It is unknown if this team can reach the the same heights without Toppin. Alternatively it’s clearly a squad with second-weekend capacity, even immediate-handed.

Up next: vs. Alabama (Sunday, 9:Forty five p.m. ET, TBS)

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19. Kansas Jayhawks
Long-established seed: No. 4 (East)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 13 California Baptist 68-60 (Friday)

We by no plan remember groups when we talk in regards to the NCAA tournament, preferrred the celebrities. Carmelo Anthony in 2003. Kemba Walker in 2011. Anthony Davis in 2012. Jalen Brunson in 2018. For all its flaws, Kansas has a standout performer in Darryn Peterson (28 capabilities in opposition to Cal Baptist on Friday), the most polarizing player in faculty basketball this season. But correct when it felt safe to place confidence in in the promise of Kansas, the Jayhawks surrendered an 18-2 bustle that allowed Cal Baptist to slice its deficit to 6 capabilities leisurely. (They, clearly, survived and evolved.) We own now viewed the the same movie with Kansas all season. And we’re composed waiting for them to play 40 minutes of big basketball.

Up next: vs. St. John’s (Sunday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)

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20. Kentucky Wildcats
Long-established seed: No. 7 (Midwest)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 10 Santa Clara 89-84 in time past legislation (Friday)

Friday’s salvage over Santa Clara featured the the same chaos that’s defined Kentucky all season — topped by a tying, buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Otega Oweh terminate to half of court at the stay of legislation. The Wildcats were a mess no topic their elite ability. But on Friday, Oweh, the preseason SEC Participant of the Year, had a occupation-excessive 35 capabilities, plus eight rebounds and 7 assists. Denzel Aberdeen, who obtained a national title with Florida final year, had 16 capabilities. Mouhamed Dioubate and Brandon Garrison, both four-big name recruits in highschool, mixed for 27 capabilities, 15 rebounds and 9 blocks. The chemistry is no longer always consistently obtrusive with this team — alternatively it has the personnel to compete in opposition to any opponent.

Up next: vs. Iowa Notify (Sunday, 2:Forty five p.m. ET, CBS)

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21. Tennessee Volunteers
Long-established seed: No. 6 (Midwest)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 11 Miami (Ohio) 78-56 (Friday)

The Vols stopped Miami (Ohio) on Friday even if Nate Ament, the 6-10 projected lottery pick, done 0-for-3. Ja’Kobi Gillespie as a substitute persisted to be the catalyst with 29 capabilities. The Vols are the fracture offensive rebounding team in the country and, for the past six weeks, own also been top-10 defensively. They did own a letdown of a 2-4 stretch earlier than the NCAA tournament no topic wins over Vanderbilt, Alabama and Tennessee. Within the occasion that they have taking half in to their strengths, they may be able to reach the second weekend.

Up next: vs. Virginia (Sunday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)

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22. Louisville Cardinals
Long-established seed: No. 6 (East)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 11 South Florida 83-seventy 9 (Thursday)

Mikel Brown Jr., a projected first-spherical draft pick, uncared for his Thirteenth game of the season Thursday and can miss his 14th on Saturday. So the team that showed up Thursday in the salvage over South Florida is the the same one which’s conducted more than two-thirds of this season without its young big name. The correct data is the Cardinals are 8-5 without Brown, in conjunction with Thursday. Isaac McKneely, J’Vonne Hadley and Ryan Conwell mixed to ranking 51 capabilities in opposition to South Florida and steady the ship, the manner they’ve all season.

Up next: vs. Michigan Notify (Saturday, 2:Forty five p.m. ET, CBS)

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23. Miami Hurricanes
Long-established seed: No. 7 (West)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 10 Missouri 80-66 (Friday)

First-year head coach Jai Lucas led Miami relief to the NCAA tournament for the main time in three years. When he arrived final offseason, he built his team spherical Malik Reneau, the 6-foot-9 forward who transferred from Indiana. On Friday, Reneau recorded 24 capabilities, eight rebounds and three assists. The Hurricanes can also merely no longer own secured a bunch of earth-shattering wins this season, but they were steady (top five in offensive and defensive effectivity in ACC play) all season. That used to be ample to advance to the following spherical.

Up next: vs. Purdue (Sunday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)

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24. UCLA Bruins
Long-established seed: No. 7 (East)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 10 UCF 75-71 (Friday)

The Bruins uncared for Tyler Bilodeau (17.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 46% from past the arc) when he used to be out in opposition to UCF on Friday due to a knee break. Which skill that, that they had to lift off a complicated Gargantuan 12 squad in the closing minutes. It wasn’t a fan-friendly affair: The Bruins uncared for quite a lot of photos. But they also pressured 17 turnovers. Eric Dailey Jr. (20 capabilities) used to be even handed one of 4 UCLA gamers in double figures. If the relaxation, the Bruins proved that, no topic missing their preferrred player, they may be able to play the suffocating protection they may be able to wish to gape the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. They may be able to hope Bilodeau can return though.

Up next: vs. UConn (Sunday, 8:Forty five p.m. ET, TNT)

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25. Saint Louis Billikens
Long-established seed: No. 9 (Midwest)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 8 Georgia 102-77 (Thursday)

After winning 24 of its first 25 video games, Saint Louis gave the impression to hit a wall in the closing weeks of the moderate season, finishing 4-4. Level-headed, the Billikens’ physique of work consistently suggested they were a team with an offense in a position to dominance. We witnessed the latter Josh Schertz’s team registered 128 capabilities per 100 possessions in opposition to a Georgia squad that done 10-8 in the SEC. With Robbie Avila and five diverse gamers who’ve shot no longer no longer up to 37% from 3 this season, the Billikens stay an offensive powerhouse.

Up next: vs. Michigan (Saturday, 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS)

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26. VCU Rams
Long-established seed: No. 11 (South)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 6 North Carolina 82-78 in time past legislation (Thursday)

Down 19 capabilities in the second half of in opposition to North Carolina, VCU by no plan misplaced its frosty. Terrence Hill Jr. (34 capabilities) and Lazar Djokovic (15 capabilities, five rebounds, two blocks) led the Rams to their seventh salvage in a row. For the past 18 video games — that’s integrated correct one loss — they’ve been spherical a top-50 offensive and defensive team nationally. Or no longer it’s that ability on both ends that they worn to salvage a fragment of the Atlantic 10 typical season and tournament titles. Or no longer it’s some distance always how the Rams can advance to the Candy 16.

Up next: vs. Illinois (Saturday, 7:50 p.m. ET, CBS)

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27. Utah Notify Aggies
Long-established seed: No. 9 (West)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 8 Villanova 86-76 (Friday)

Mason Falslev, the Mountain West Participant of the Year, and MJ Collins Jr., a top switch from Saint Louis, mixed to ranking 42 capabilities in Friday’s salvage over Villanova. Jerrod Calhoun’s squad has registered 120 capabilities per 100 possessions this season with Collins and Falslev on the court together, per EvanMiya. They’re the spark for the Mountain West’s preferrred offense — and Utah Notify’s preferrred likelihood to advance. The Aggies also own an improved protection in contemporary weeks going for them. Most attention-grabbing one opponent in their past four video games has surpassed a Forty five% clip inner the arc.

Up next: vs. Arizona (Sunday, 7:50 p.m. ET, truTV)

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28. Texas A&M Aggies
Long-established seed: No. 10 (South)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 7 Saint Mary’s 63-50 (Thursday)

Thursday’s salvage over Saint Mary’s allowed the Aggies to showcase their ability to play at a slower tempo and composed prevail. The 59-possession game used to be the slowest of the season for the Aggies, who’ve conducted at a top-20 tempo. But, they secured their third victory in four video games with a dominant effort inner, outscoring the Gaels 28-12 in the paint. It also helped that Rashaun Agee had his sixth game and not utilizing a longer no longer up to twenty capabilities and eight rebounds. The Aggies are 5-1 in these matchups.

Up next: vs. Houston (Saturday, 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT)

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29. TCU Horned Frogs
Long-established seed: No. 9 (East)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 8 Ohio Notify 66-64 (Thursday)

TCU knocked off a few of the fracture groups in The US this season. Two weeks after losing to Michigan in a tight game in November, the Horned Frogs defeated Florida and Wisconsin in relief-to-relief contests. In Gargantuan 12 play, they beat Iowa Notify and Texas Tech. For the past month, they’ve been top 25 in offensive rebounding rate, per BartTorvik. Their gutsy salvage in opposition to Ohio Notify punctuated that 7-1 stretch. The Frogs proceed to salvage with collective grit and a roster that doesn’t own an NBA prospect but relies on four gamers averaging double figures — in conjunction with Xavier Edmonds, who had 16 capabilities and eight rebounds in opposition to the Buckeyes.

Up next: vs. Duke (Saturday, 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS)

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30. Iowa Hawkeyes
Long-established seed: No. 9 (South)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 8 Clemson 67-61 (Friday)

For a third consecutive season, the Bennett Stirtz-Ben McCollum pairing has resulted in an NCAA tournament salvage. The 2 did it at Division II Northwest Missouri Notify in 2024 and did it at Drake final year. On Friday, the 6-foot-4 Stirtz led all scorers with 16 capabilities as he and McCollum prevailed over again.

Up next: vs. Florida (Sunday, 7:10 p.m. ET, TBS)

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31. Texas Longhorns
Long-established seed: No. 11 (West)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 6 BYU seventy 9-71 (Thursday)

The Longhorns were 1-5 entering the tournament and ranked 161st in adjusted defensive effectivity all via that stretch. They were larger this week, preserving NC Notify to 98 capabilities per 100 possessions in the First Four and then beating BYU no topic A.J. Dybantsa’s 35-point effort. Sean Miller continues to dash the contemporary hand, whether that’s Dailyn Swain (28 assists in his past five video games), Matas Vokietaitis (38 capabilities mixed in two NCAA tournament video games) or Tramon Trace (18.0 PPG, Forty five% from past the arc in the tournament).

Up next: vs. Gonzaga (Saturday, 7:10 p.m. ET, truTV/TBS)

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32. High Level Panthers
Long-established seed: No. 12 (West)
First-spherical end result: Defeated No. 5 Wisconsin 83-82 (Thursday)

Getting into the NCAA tournament, Wisconsin had even handed one of the important enviornment’s most impressive collections of wins, with victories over Illinois (twice), Michigan, Michigan Notify and Purdue. High Level would possibly per chance possibly no longer match that résumé, alternatively it had the actual offense and protection in the Gargantuan South this season. And the Panthers had misplaced correct once since Dec. 14. They went on to force 10 key turnovers (they’re ranked fifth in the nation in defensive turnover rate) in the upset salvage over Wisconsin. Rob Martin and Terry Anderson (38 capabilities mixed in opposition to the Badgers) in total is a handful for Arkansas.

Up next: vs. Arkansas (Saturday, 9:Forty five p.m., truTV/TBS)