Reseeding the Elite 8 Teams

For the first time in history, we have an elite eight that does not feature a single #1 seed after both Houston & Alabama were upset in the sweet 16. With only 3 teams seeded #3 or better still standing, we’ll be reseeding the 8 teams that remain. 

#1: UConn Huskies

The Huskies have been absolutely shredding through their opponents in this tournament winning by an average of over 20 points per game. The Huskies cruised their way into the elite 8 and are proving to the nation why they are still just as dominant as they were earlier in the season when they were ranked top 5 in the nation. The Huskies are our pick to win the tournament from here on out. 

#2: Gonzaga Bulldogs

Arguably the best rivalry on the west coast in college basketball has become Gonzaga vs. UCLA with the two squaring off in the sweet 16. The Bulldogs won in an absolute thriller by some late heroics to send them to the elite 8. Gonzaga has yet to win a national championship, but with all 4 of the #1 seeds knocked out, this might just be the year that they can pull off the feat. 

#3: Texas Longhorns

After avoiding the upset to Penn State in the round of 32, Texas dominated the Xavier Musketeers. Somehow Texas is the highest seeded team remaining after all #1 teams failed to reach the elite 8 and the other 3 teams seeded at #2 all failed to make it as well. The Longhorns gave no mercy to a Xavier team that was looking to get its 4th elite 8 appearance in school history and make a run for its first final four appearance. 

#4: San Diego State Aztecs

The San Diego State Aztecs made their way to their first elite 8 appearance in school history as they upset the #1 overall team in the country in Alabama. The Aztecs cruised through their first 2 matchups against double seeded teams, but the tough defensive team was all over Alabama all game long, totaling a whopping 8 blocks. The Aztecs defense is going to be very tough to get past as they haven’t allowed more than 64 points in a game this tournament. 

#5: Miami (FL) Hurricanes

From being the favorite #5 seed to lose in the coveted #12 vs. #5 upset match to beating a national champion favorite in Houston, the Miami Hurricanes have exceeded expectations on their way to an elite 8 run. The Hurricanes have played well on both sides of the ball and their win against Houston was the last one needed to prevent an elite 8 of having any #1 seed which is a feat that will go down in history regardless of what the future holds next for Jim Larranaga’s squad. 

#6: Kansas State Wildcats

Markquis Nowell went down in the record books against Michigan State for the most assists in a tournament game ever with a very impressive 19. The most notable being the no-look alley-oop assist to teammate Keyontae Johnson who threw down the monster slam and a highlight that will go down in one of the best plays in college basketball history. Nowell and the Kansas State team showed a determination to win which is how some teams can survive for so long in the tournament. 

#7: Creighton Bluejays

The Bluejays reached the elite 8 for the first time in over 80 years thanks to yet another great effort by Ryan Kalkbrenner. The 7 ft 1 freak of nature has been lighting up the scoreboard over the last several games and is making a strong case for player of the tournament. If Kalkbrenner can keep getting the ball, Creighton won’t make San Diego State’s life easy. 

#8: Florida Atlantic Owls

The Cinderella team that’s made its way all the way to the elite 8 is the Florida Atlantic Owls. Up until this year, the Owls have never won a NCAA tournament game and have now won 3 straight setting school marks each win they get. Don’t write this team off as they’ve only managed to have 3 total losses on the year and just beat a top defensive unit in Tennessee who had to get past Duke before they played the Owls.