LOOK: Andy Katz releases power rankings for the Elite Eight field
The NCAA Tournament is onto the Elite Eight after an upset-filled and unpredictable first three rounds. Of the four No. 1 seeds entering the tournament, only one remains – the Kansas Jayhawks. Additionally, there are only two No. 2 seeds remaining, one No. 4 seed, one No. 5 seed, one No. 8 seed, one No. 10 seed, and one No. 15 seed. Ahead of the beginning of the Elite Eight on Saturday night, Andy Katz has released his updated power rankings with the remaining teams in the field.
Elite Eight power rankings, via Katz
Houston left opening weekend with wins over 12th-seeded UAB and fourth-seeded Illinois. The Cougars then took down the South Region’s No. 1 seed, Arizona, in the Sweet 16. Houston goes up against Villanova, and the Cougars are looking to emerge from the South Region into the Final Four. After the big upset over Arizona to reach the Elite Eight, the Cougars top the updated power rankings from Katz.
Kansas is the lone No. 1 seed remaining in the field. The Jayhawks were the top seed in the Midwest Region, and they have taken care of business so far. During the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, Kansas defeated 16th-seeded Arizona and ninth-seeded Creighton. Fourth-seeded Providence hung with Kansas during their Sweet 16 matchup, but the Jayhawks were able to emerge victorious.
Villanova is the other remaining team from the South Region. The Wildcats began the tournament with wins over Delaware and Ohio State, and took down Michigan in the Sweet 16. For Katz, Villanova is one of the top remaining teams in the Elite Eight field.
Duke is looking to end Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching career with another national title. The Blue Devils, the West Region’s No. 2 seed, cruised through 15th-seeded Cal State Fullerton in the opening round and beat seventh-seeded Michigan State in the second round. Duke won a tight game against third-seeded Texas Tech on Thursday night to reach the Elite Eight.
Arkansas has played three games in the tournament, and all three have been close. The Razorbacks beat 13th-seeded Vermont by four in the opening round before beating 12th-seeded New Mexico State in round two. Against the tournament’s top overall seed in Gonzaga, Arkansas won by six to reach the Elite Eight.
6. Saint Peter’s Peacocks
Not many people expected Saint Peter’s to win a single game in the tournament, let alone reach the Elite Eight. The Peacocks have defeated second-seeded Kentucky, seventh-seeded Murray State, and third-seeded Purdue so far. They come in towards the bottom of the latest Elite Eight power rankings, but finish above their next opponent.
UNC cruised past ninth-seeded Marquette in the opening round, setting up an intriguing Round of 32 matchup against top seeded Baylor. The Tar Heels led by 25, but the game still reached overtime. Eventually, UNC escaped with the win, and the Tar Heels beat fourth-seeded UCLA on Friday night to reach the Elite Eight. Next up is the scorching hot Saint Peter’s Cinderella team.
Miami is in the Elite Eight for the first time in program history. The Hurricanes are the No. 10 seed in the Midwest Region, and defeated seventh-seeded USC and second-seeded Auburn during the tournament’s opening weekend. In the Sweet 16, the Hurricanes beat 11th-seeded Iowa State, setting up a matchup against Kansas in the Elite Eight.