With a solid group of Cinderella teams still hanging around after the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, this Sweet 16 field was literally unpredictable. No one could see this combination of teams reaching the third round of the tournament when the field of 68 was announced.
With the 15-seed Oral Roberts, the 12-seed Oregon State and the 11-seed Syracuse and UCLA, it is the highest seed total the Sweet has ever reached. But there are also some season-long stalwarts hanging around, and they have to lick their chops as they enlarge the remaining field.
No. 1 seed Gonzaga, Michigan and Baylor have manageable roads ahead. In the case of Gonzaga and Baylor, the number 2 seed from their regions has already been knocked out. As for No. 2 seed Houston in the Midwest, the Cougars have a favorable two-way path to the Final Four ahead, after Loyola Chicago upset No. 1 in the region, Illinois, in the second round.
So will the five remaining number 1 and number 2 seeds sail forward during the Sweet 16? Or will the madness continue with more upset? Here’s a preview of what’s ahead this weekend during the local semi-finals.
Midwest Region
No. 12 Oregon State v. No. 8 Loyola Chicago
- When: Saturday at 14:40 ET
- Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Exploring the Beavers The state of Oregon, chosen to finish last in the Pac-12 in the preseason, is a perfect example of what getting warm at the right time can do for your team. Coach Wayne Tinkle and the Beavers have been nowhere near the NCAA Tournament all season, but ran through the Pac-12 tournament to secure the league’s automatic bid. They have since beaten No. 5 seed Tennessee and No. 4 seed Oklahoma State in the Midwest region to secure their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1982.
Exploring the Ramblers Loyola Chicago, No. 8, plays the role of Cinderella again after advancing to the Sweet 16 due to victories over Georgia Tech, No. 9, and an upset of Illinois, first place in Illinois. The Ramblers are led by big man Cameron Krutwig, a senior who was part of the team’s 2018 Final Four run. Coach Porter Moser and big sister Jean, now 101, are also familiar faces from that run.
11 Syracuse at no. 2 Houston
- When: Saturday at 21:55
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
Exploring the Orange Syracuse barely slipped into the NCAA Tournament field, but after victories over the state of San Diego and West Virginia, the Orange dances to the Sweet 16. The distinctive zone defense remains an important part of 76-year-old coach Jim Boeheim , and this team can really make it fly from deep. Jim’s son, Buddy, is offensive as an effective 3-point shooter. This is the seventh Sweet 16 appearance of the program since 2009.
Exploring the cougars Houston undertook a ten-point rally late in the second half to fend off Rutgers and after the second consecutive Sweet 16 series on the heels of the first-time victory over Cleveland State. It was a grim attempt for the No. 2 seeded Cougars, who are one of the leading defensive groups in the country and a reasonable 3-point shooting group to begin with. With Quentin Grimes transfer at the forefront in Kansas, this team has recently proven its steel in some situations.
Southern Region
5 Villanova teen no. 1 Baylor
- When: Saturday at 17:15 ET
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Exploring the Wildcats Villanova is back in the Sweet 16 for the third time in the last five seasons – the seventh overall appearance under coach Jay Wright – after victories over Winthrop and number 13 in North Texas. The Wildcats play a slow and winding pace that favors effective offense, but that style did not deter them from racing through their first two rounds with ease. Watch Jeremiah Robinson-Earl watch the heart and soul of this team in the absence of injured senior Collin Gillespie.
Exploring the bears Baylor looked good in a second-round win over Wisconsin, and with the No. 2 seed Ohio State already eliminated from the South Regional, the Bears have a manageable path to the Final Four. The program has never been this far, but with veteran guards Jared Butler, MaCio Teague and Davion Mitchell, this team has the talent and experience to cut nets.
15 Oral Roberts v. No. 3 Arkansas
- When: Saturday at 19:25
- Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
Exploring the Golden Eagles – Everywhere Roberts just became the second number 15 in history to advance to the Sweet 16 after upset wins at No. 2 seeded Ohio State and No. 7 seeded Florida in the first and second rounds. Led by the country’s leading scorer, Max Abmas, and an amazing bystander in Kevin Obanor, the Golden Eagles have two deadly offensive weapons that have proven the ability to keep up with any team from any conference throughout the year.
Exploring the Razorbacks Arkansas advances to the Sweet 16s for the first time since 1996. Coach Eric Musselman and his transfer-heavy roster scared Colgate and Texas Tech in the first and second rounds to reach a new high for this new era of the Razorbacks. Their unique blend of young and old talent helps propel this defensive juggernaut – led by lottery talent Moses Moody and Indiana’s transfer of Justin Smith – who have now won 11 of their last 12 games.
West Region
(5) Creighton teen (1) Gonzaga
- When: Sunday at 14:10 ET
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Exploring the Bluejays Creighton survived a Test of UC-Santa Barbara in the first round nail-bitingly before looking good in a win over 13th-seeded Ohio in the second round to make the program the first Sweet 16 series since 1974. With one of the country’s best 3-point shooting backs in Marcus Zegarowski and Mitch Ballock, the Bluejays boast an elite attack and a decent defense. Zegarowski, Damien Jefferson and Denzel Mahoney average more than a steal per game.
Exploring the Bulldogs Gonzaga eliminated Norfolk State in the first round and pulled away from Oklahoma in the second round. As the overall No. 1 in the NCAA Tournament, this team is led by a star trio of wing Corey Kispert, center Drew Timme and guard Jalen Suggs. Behind them is a group of excellent role players. What makes this Gonzaga team better than its predecessors, however, is Suggs. He is a true one-off talent who accepts his role as distributor and disruptive defensive force.
(7) Oregon vs. (6) USC
- When: Sunday at 21:45
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
Exploring the ducks Oregon wheeled Iowa in the second round to reach the Sweet 16 for the fifth time under 11-year-old coach Dana Altman. All five of the beginners’ forerunners are on average double figures, and the veteran group is led by Chris Duarte, senior guard. He scored 23 in the Ducks’ victory in the second round against Iowa and is an effective three-point shooter who can quickly change the course of a game. It’s a transfer-heavy roster that has only improved through the season, and it seems to be clicking at the right time.
Exploring the Trojans USC made its first Sweet 16 since 2007 by beating Drake and Kansas behind a combination of outdoor shooting and domestic dominance. With brothers Evan and Isaiah Mobley leading the way on the inside, it is also one of the top shooters in the country. The transfers Tahj Eaddy and Drew Peterson were great in helping the program get the best season yet under eighth-year coach Andy Enfield.
Eastern Region
(4) Florida State v (1) Michigan
- When: Sunday at 17:00 ET
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: CBS (watch live)
Exploring the SeminolesThe state of Florida is usually known for its defense under veteran coach Leonard Hamilton, but this team can also really score points. The Seminoles were an excellent three-point shooting team this season, holding their first two NCAA tournaments under 55 points. There is not a single star in this team, but rather a ten-man rotation that mostly consists of veterans who understand what Hamilton expects.
Exploring the Wolverines Michigan started 18-1 before losing three of its last five games entering the NCAA Tournament. It looks like the Wolverines are back on track after beating Texas Southern and LSU in the first two rounds. This team undoubtedly plays its best player in senior forward Isaiah Livers, who is out with a foot injury. But with his first pedestrian phenomenon, Hunter Dickinson, bruised in the post and a group of veterans in the waiting positions, coach Juwan Howard’s team has the maturity and depth to keep going.
(11) UCLA teen (2) Alabama
- When: Sunday at 19:15
- Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
- TV: TBS (watch live)
Exploring the Browns After losing to the First Four during the last NCAA Tournament in 2018, UCLA ended up in the First Four again this season and used it as a springboard. The Bruins returned from an 11-point deficit to beat Michigan State in their first game and then kicked off BYU and Abilene Christian to reach the Sweet 16th. Sophomore Wings Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Johnny Juzang emerged as the best attacking option for this. team, but all five of the beginners can achieve double digits.
Scouting the Crimson TideAlabama has beaten Iona and Maryland to the first Sweet 16 series of the program since 2004. The Crimson Tide are best known for their three-point shooting, but second-year coach Nate Oats is also letting this group play an excellent defense. This is why this team seems to be sticking: he can stay in games even if shots do not fall due to his grain. The heart and soul of this group is SEC Player of the Year, Herb Jones. The 6-8 senior does a bit of everything for his team.