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NCAA Tournament Selection Committee’s Top 16 Ranked by Resume

John Canady

Host · Writer

16) Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 13
- Record: 24-3 | Quality Wins: 6-1
- SOS Rank: 70 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 119
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 26.5-4.5
- Remaining SOS: 53
The Virginia Cavaliers are officially back in the mix among the top teams in college basketball. After rebuilding the program that Tony Bennett left behind, head coach Ryan Odom has assembled a squad that plays harder than their competition on a nightly basis. With a roster full of players willing to do the dirty work, the Cavaliers win in the margins, and for that, they land at No. 16.

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1) Michigan Wolverines
Michigan’s NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 1
- Record: 25-2 | Quality Wins: 11-2
- SOS Rank: 2 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 3
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 28.1-2.9
- Remaining SOS: 16
The Wolverines have been one of the best all-around teams throughout the entirety of the regular season up to this point. Head coach Dusty May has assembled a team full of depth, players who prioritize winning over individual stats, and a roster that is selfless, making them dangerous. Looking at Michigan's resume, it proves exactly that.

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2) Duke Blue Devils
Duke's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 2
- Record: 25-2 | Quality Wins: 10-2
- SOS Rank: 22 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 17
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 28.5-2.5
- Remaining SOS: 15
Jon Scheyer continues to put the Blue Devils atop the list of contenders every year, and with the team's next-level recruiting, there seems to be no signs of slowing down. Led by projected top draft pick Cameron Boozer, Duke has the firepower and depth to make a National Championship run, and based on their ranking, the committee knows it too.
3) Arizona Wildcats
Arizona's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 3
- Record: 25-2 | Quality Wins: 10-2
- SOS Rank: 35 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 48
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 28.2-2.8
- Remaining SOS: 9
Arizona has looked the part of a legitimate contender throughout the entirety of the season, and with March looming, the Wildcats are poised to make a run of their own. With a deep bench and several playmakers who understand their role and play it to the best of their abilities, Arizona has looked like a well-oiled machine ready to make some noise when the NCAA Tournament begins.
4) Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 8
- Record: 23-4 | Quality Wins: 8-4
- SOS Rank: 55 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 137
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 25.9-5.1
- Remaining SOS: 49
Iowa State has been knocking at the door of being a true contender over each of the last few seasons. This year, the Cyclones finally look like a team that can not only make a deep postseason run, but also shock the nation if they continue playing at the level they have. With one of the most experienced rosters on this list, ISU has the makings of a championship team.
5) UConn Huskies
UConn's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 4
- Record: 25-3 | Quality Wins: 7-2
- SOS Rank: 16 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 22
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 27.4-3.6
- Remaining SOS: 48
With Dan Hurley running the show, UConn can never be counted out, and they've proven that continuously this season. The Huskies revamped their roster in the offseason, and with several players taking a leap, the Big East powerhouse seems prepared to make another run.
6) Houston Cougars
Houston's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 5
- Record: 23-4 | Quality Wins: 8-4
- SOS Rank: 34 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 63
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 26.4-4.6
- Remaining SOS: 62
The Houston Cougars were one game away from a National Championship win last season. With redemption on their mind, head coach Kelvin Sampson entered the offseason looking to assemble a roster that could get over the hump. With a healthy mixture of standout freshman and veteran playmakers, Houston has the makings of a team ready to make another push when March comes around.
7) Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois' NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 12
- Record: 22-6 | Quality Wins: 9-6
- SOS Rank: 8 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 31
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 24.4-6.6
- Remaining SOS: 66
Illinois may be one of the most intriguing teams on this list. The Fighting Illini have several star freshmen, an experienced supporting cast, and one of the best head coaches in the nation, Brad Underwood. All that to say, this team will be an extremely hard out when tournament play arrives, and it wouldn't be a shock to see Illinois making a deep run.
8) Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 6
- Record: 22-5 | Quality Wins: 9-5
- SOS Rank: 5 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 13
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 25.0-6.0
- Remaining SOS: 11
Entering the season, Purdue was viewed as one of the top teams, thanks to several key returners like Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. Not to mention, the Boilermakers landed a top transfer portal target in big man Oscar Cluff ahead of the season. The team has had a couple of hiccups this season, but if there's anything we know about head coach Matt Painter and his team, they'll be ready when the NCAA Tournament arrives.
9) Florida Gators
Florida's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 11
- Record: 21-6 | Quality Wins: 10-5
- SOS Rank: 6 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 20
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 24.0-7.0
- Remaining SOS: 17
The reigning National Champions revamped their roster last offseason after several key departures forced head coach Todd Golden to turn to the transfer portal. Still, the Gators remain in the top half of the nation in terms of contenders, and with championship experience remaining on the roster, Florida shouldn't be counted out by any means.
10) Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas' NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 15
- Record: 20-7 | Quality Wins: 8-6
- SOS Rank: 3 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 7
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 22.3-8.7
- Remaining SOS: 33
The Kansas Jayhawks have arguably the best player in the nation on their squad in star guard Darryn Peterson. Despite the discourse around the freshman's leadership, there's no doubt that between him and the rest of the talent on Bill Self's roster, KU has the weapons to compete with any team in the nation on any given night.
11) Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 7
- Record: 23-4 | Quality Wins: 7-4
- SOS Rank: 49 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 230
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 25.9-5.1
- Remaining SOS: 52
The Cornhuskers have been one of the biggest surprises of the college basketball season with their recent surge to the top of the Big Ten. Nebraska has a talented squad, but it doesn't have a blue-chip prospect on par with nearly any of the teams ranked above it. Still, it's clear that head coach Fred Hoiberg has his team playing with immense confidence, and at times, a team playing with confidence can be more dangerous than a team riding high on talent.
12) Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 9
- Record: 27-2 | Quality Wins: 7-1
- SOS Rank: 83 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 12
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 28.6-2.4
- Remaining SOS: 130
Gonzaga remains one of the top teams in the nation, a position in which head coach Mark Few is very familiar. However, the Bulldogs' inability to get over the hump over recent years raises the question of whether this season is another similar case, or if the team is finally in line to silence the noise around the program. Only time will tell, but based on their resume, all signs point to the Bulldogs making a run.
13) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 18
- Record: 20-7 | Quality Wins: 7-5
- SOS Rank: 7 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 18
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 22.2-8.8
- Remaining SOS: 22
Texas Tech had a lot to prove entering the season after losing one of its best players to the transfer portal last offseason. Fortunately, head coach Grant McCasland's ability to recruit with the best of them allowed for the Red Raiders to fill the void with his own additions through the portal. In addition, a breakout for sophomore guard Christian Anderson gave the team a dangerous 1-2 punch between him and star forward JT Toppin. Despite multiple alarming losses throughout the regular season, TTU has a roster built for March, which alone should give the team's supporters confidence.
14) Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 14
- Record: 22-5 | Quality Wins: 9-4
- SOS Rank: 14 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 45
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 23.9-7.1
- Remaining SOS: 40
Tom Izzo has his squad playing at an elite level this season, and a big reason is the team's roster continuity. With several key returners for the Spartans, Michigan State has proven its chemistry through the long season, and that alone could pay dividends in the NCAA Tournament.
15) Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 20
- Record: 21-6 | Quality Wins: 8-6
- SOS Rank: 15 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 47
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 23.3-7.7
- Remaining SOS: 1
Vanderbilt has impressed up to this point of the season, holding their own in one of the most competitive conferences college basketball has to offer. The Commodores may not be considered the most dangerous on this list, but that's also the reason why they could catch any slacking team by surprise when March Madness begins.
16) Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia's NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 13
- Record: 24-3 | Quality Wins: 6-1
- SOS Rank: 70 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 119
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 26.5-4.5
- Remaining SOS: 53
The Virginia Cavaliers are officially back in the mix among the top teams in college basketball. After rebuilding the program that Tony Bennett left behind, head coach Ryan Odom has assembled a squad that plays harder than their competition on a nightly basis. With a roster full of players willing to do the dirty work, the Cavaliers win in the margins, and for that, they land at No. 16.

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1) Michigan Wolverines
Michigan’s NCAA Tournament Resume
- Strength of Record: 1
- Record: 25-2 | Quality Wins: 11-2
- SOS Rank: 2 | Non-Con SOS Rank: 3
- ESPN’s Projected Record: 28.1-2.9
- Remaining SOS: 16
The Wolverines have been one of the best all-around teams throughout the entirety of the regular season up to this point. Head coach Dusty May has assembled a team full of depth, players who prioritize winning over individual stats, and a roster that is selfless, making them dangerous. Looking at Michigan's resume, it proves exactly that.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

NCAA Tournament Selection Committee’s Top 16 Ranked by Resume

Virginia's NCAA Tournament Resume

Michigan’s NCAA Tournament Resume

Duke's NCAA Tournament Resume

Arizona's NCAA Tournament Resume

Iowa State's NCAA Tournament Resume

UConn's NCAA Tournament Resume

Houston's NCAA Tournament Resume

Illinois' NCAA Tournament Resume

Purdue's NCAA Tournament Resume

Florida's NCAA Tournament Resume

Kansas' NCAA Tournament Resume

Nebraska's NCAA Tournament Resume

Gonzaga's NCAA Tournament Resume

Texas Tech's NCAA Tournament Resume

Michigan State's NCAA Tournament Resume

Vanderbilt's NCAA Tournament Resume

Virginia's NCAA Tournament Resume

Michigan’s NCAA Tournament Resume

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