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Purdue's Zach Edey (15) grabs a rebound against Rutgers' Caleb McConnell (22) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

In a tighter-than-expected contest, Purdue gained another valuable victory over surprising Ohio State. The Boilers remain a No. 1 seed on the latest Bracket Big Board, which is a snapshot of how the men's NCAA Tournament field would look if the regular season ended today.

UPDATED: Sunday, March 12, 5:11 PM ET

(Power ranking listed with school)

No. 1 Seeds

1. Kansas (Big 12, 27-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
9 17-7 1 *

Trampled by Longhorns in the Big 12 final. With Bill Self likely back next week, will rebound quickly from humbling.

2. Alabama (SEC, 29-5 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
2 13-5 10 *

Even the remotest doubt about the Tide's No. 1 seed status eliminated after demolition of Mississippi State and TAMU.

3. Houston (AAC, 31-3 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
1 7-2 96 *

Punched Cincinnati right in the kisser. Tireless on defense and a mad methodical in offensive execution. Title frontrunner. Need a healthy Sasser.

4. Purdue (Big Ten, 29-5 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
5 9-4 21 *

Added to the No. 1 seed argument with 11th Quad 1 win coming versus Ohio State. Yes, it's a Quad 1.

No. 2 Seeds

5. Texas (Big 12, 26-8 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
7 14-8 6

Brought the battle axe versus Kansas and chopped heads. Uninterrupted domination after halftime. Unquestionably elite D.

6. UCLA (Pac-12, 29-5 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
3 8-5 44 *

Loss to Arizona in Pac-12 tourney final promptly dashed dreams of a No. 1 seed. Still this scribe's favorite to win the whole shebang.

7. Arizona (Pac-12, 28-6 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
10 9-2 46

In a Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots-like affair, bested UCLA by only a deuce - 61-59. When stiff defense shows up, they can beat anyone.

8. Baylor (Big 12, 22-10 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
15 11-10 2

Iowa State is just a bad matchup. Again, given Bears' weak D, it has to blast the box score on offense nightly.

No. 3 Seeds

9. Marquette (Big East, 28-6 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
12 7-5 45 *

Rated 'R' level violence deployed against Xavier in Big East final. Bloody murder. Positioness style has them on Final Four shortlist.

10. Kansas State (Big 12, 23-9 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
23 9-8 16

Deflating effort versus TCU, but nothing to budge them off the No. 3 line. Tang Gang top-20 in country in D efficiency.

11. Gonzaga (WCC, 27-5 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
6 6-4 54 *

Opened up a can of whoop against Gaels. Stated the case from start to finish. Defense, however, remains highly suspect.

12. Tennessee (SEC, 23-10 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
4 7-7 32

Defensive efforts are elite, evidenced by top standing in multiple categories. Still, offensive disappearances should leave bracketeers wary.

No. 4 Seeds

13. Xavier (Big East, 25-9 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
22 8-6 30

Mortally wounded in Marquette game. Folded from the jump. Can score nearly uninhibited, but D sorely lacks at times.

14. UConn (Big East, 25-8 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
8 6-6 42

Sanogo practically unstoppable going 8-for-12 from the field, but just couldn't get over the hump against Big East kings, Marquette.

15. Virginia (ACC, 25-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
26 5-5 71

Vander Plas deactivation rest of season is a major blow. Cavs' defense not as emphatic and now missing gunner on offense.

16. Indiana (Big Ten, 22-11 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
30 6-9 12

Penn State showed no signs of losing gas. Hoosiers paint defense and horrendous three-point shooting did them in.

No. 5 Seeds

17. San Diego St. (MWC, 26-6 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
14 5-5 47 *

Well-documented, Aztecs shooting blanks in R/N games on offense. Above No. 200 in eFG offense. However, they can stangle on D.

18. Texas A&M (SEC, 25-9 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
18 7-6 56

Alabama deep, talented and played at a faster pace than what the Aggies prefer. Superb defensive team. Mid-seed snoozer for Final Four.

19. TCU (Big 12, 21-12 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
28 8-11 11

Scored an undesirable 0.89 points per possession in final act of Big 12 season. Remain a mid-seed Final Four Rip Van Winkle.

20. Duke (ACC, 26-8 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
16 5-6 57 🔼

Virginia accounted for under 0.85 points per possession. Stingy! Defense and frontcourt power name of the game for Devils.

No. 6 Seeds

21. Miami (FL) (ACC, 25-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
35 5-5 81

Hurricanes are about a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson. Excellent guard player and better-than-you-think defense.

22. St. Mary's (WCC, 25-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
11 2-3 78

Slaughtered in the WCC final by Gonzaga. Can stoutly defend and frustrate opponents given methodical style, but a possible 12-over-5 upset candidate.

23. Kentucky (SEC, 21-11 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
25 6-7 24

My +400 ticket on Big Blue to win the SECT went down in flames Vanquished by Vandy and its 10+ made threes.

24. Iowa State (Big 12, 19-13 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
20 10-11 4

Season high 20 turnovers against Bill Self-less Kansas Jayhawks. Overall, 10 Quad 1 wins should have 'Clones on 6 line.

No. 7 Seeds

25. Creighton (Big East; 21-12)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
17 3-8 25

Starting five is tremendous highlighted by 7-footer Ryan Kalkbrenner. Dark horse, though trouncing by Xavier raises reluctancy.

26. Michigan State (Big Ten, 19-12 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
33 5-9 7

Bruised by Brutus. Another victim of historic run by Ohio State. Looked like the team playing its third game in three days, not the other way around.

27. Northwestern (Big Ten, 21-11 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
41 7-6 37

Gut-wrenching loss to Penn State in tear jerker at the buzzer. Still a remarkable season. Defend tenaciously.

28. Missouri (SEC, 24-9 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
42 6-9 35

Feature several rainmakers, including stud Kobe Brown. Defense is highly questionable, but if matched against soft D. ..

No. 8 Seeds

29. Arkansas (SEC, 20-13 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
21 4-10 17

Curious case. Gaudy NET. Strong SOS, Fair amount of Q1 wins. Plus, a different team with Nick Smith Jr.

30. Memphis (AAC, 26-8 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
29 4-4 73

Spanked Tulane and Houston off the tip. Magnificent finish has Memphis a team playing sensational ball sparked by Davis.

31. Maryland (Big Ten, 21-12 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
31 3-10 36

Strong start against Indiana in BTT, but Hoosiers dashed duo of Jackson-Davis and Hood-Schifino applied grip after halftime.

32. Florida Atlantic (C-USA, 31-3 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
13 2-1 152 *

Prevented a UAB bid steal with thumping of Blazers. Have size, speed and good guards. Fascinating team.

No. 9 Seeds

33. Iowa (Big Ten, 19-13 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
39 4-7 22

Latest victim of THE Ohio State sudden and surprising resurrection. Don't defend. When 3s don't steadily drop, a probably Round 1 casualty.

34. West Virginia (Big 12, 19-14 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
24 6-13 5

Rare 14-loss team likely to draw a single-digit seed. Resume is there. No doubt No. 1 seed doesn't want it on the 8/9 line.

35. Auburn (SEC, 20-12 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
32 3-10 18

Gotta tip your cap to the Tigers. Climbed out of 15-point deficit late versus Arkansas, but not enough to conquer.

36. Penn State (Big Ten, 22-13 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
49 7-6 28 🔼

Reaching stratospheric heights considering where they were two weeks ago. So smart. So experienced. Small ball at its best.

No. 10 Seeds

37. Illinois (Big Ten, 20-12 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
34 2-11 31 🔽

Penn State drove yet another dagger, their third of the year. Just an awful matchup. Too three happy and not reliable on those shots.

38. USC (Pac-12, 22-10 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
50 3-6 63

Forked by the Sun Devils and ousted from the Pac-12 Tourney. Still poppin' and lockin'. Interesting team given top-45 standing in off/def efficiency.

39. Boise State (MWC, 23-9 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
27 3-5 60

Sliced in two by the MWC buzzsaw that is Utah State. Defense and lack of speed on the perimeter exposed.

40. Mississippi State (SEC, 21-12 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
48 4-8 38

By the slimmest of margins versus Florida, but a win is a win. Rubber stamped at-large standing. Incredible defensively.

No. 11 Seeds

41. Providence (Big East, 21-11 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
55 3-8 62 🔽

In a physical old school game against UConn mounted an amazing comeback but not enough. Allowed 1.177 pts/poss.

42. Utah State (MWC, 26-8 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
19 2-5 72

Fire stamped out by San Diego State in Mountain West final. Still ranked top-15 in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency. Usually score prolifically.

43. Pittsburgh (ACC, 22-11 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
67 4-4 91

Their fate is without question a double-digit seed, but should avoid Dayton. Rank top-30 nationally in offensive efficiency.

44. Rutgers (Big Ten, 19-14 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
40 4-7 41

Last four IN, sure, but on firmer ground than most think. Gritty defense team, but 300+ in eFG offense lsat 10 games.

45. North Carolina State (ACC, 23-10 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
45 1-6 78

Rolled and smoked after the half against Clemson in the ACCT. Eye-catching record, but empty calories underneath.

46. Arizona State (Pac 12, 22-12 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
66 5-6 55 🔼

Decided to promote AZ State. Why? Stronger SOS and more Q1 wins than Nevada. Gut says Pac-12 will get advantage over MWC.

No. 12 Seeds

47. Oral Roberts (Summit, 26-4 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
36 0-4 202 *

Mid-major legend Max Abmas is capable of single-handedly taking over games. Defense? Not really. Will push a high-major.

48. College of Charleston (Colonial, 30-3 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
51 0-1 334 *

Where popularity polls intersect with actuality. The Cougars are a terrific team, but meatless resume has them on the double-digit line.

49. Drake (MVC, 27-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
54 1-1 203 *

Experienced Bulldogs are a very viable Cinderella candidate. Top-70 in eFG offense and eFG defense.

50. VCU (A-10, 27-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
58 0-1 165 *

"Chaos" brand of basketball still remains the name of the game for this year's Rams. Constant ball pressure creates ample TOs.

No. 13 Seeds

51. Kent State (MAC, 26-6 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
57 0-3 156 *

Antonio Gates U clamps down on the defensive end. Ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in MAC in six different D categories.

52. Louisiana (Sun Belt, 23-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
89 0-2 171 🔼 *

Rajun' Cajuns throw around their weight on the offensive glass grabbing a second chance over 34% of possessions.

53. Iona (Metro, 26-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
59 0-1 310 *

Rick Pitino's group a team few big boys would like to draw in Round 1. Rank top-85 in offensive/defensive efficiency.

54. Princeton (Ivy, 19-8 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
116 0-1 182 🔼 *

In the smarty pants league's final, Tigers threw the book at rival Yale late. Top-55 nationally in 2PT% offense/defense.

No. 14 Seeds

55. Grand Canyon (WAC, 21-11 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
104 1-2 216 🔼 *

With its sweat-free dispensing of Southern Utah, the Antelopes gallup on the triple-B. As a collective, shoot 37.6 from three.

56. Kennesaw State (Atlantic Sun, 23-8 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
114 0-4 182 *

A NCAA Tournament participant for the first time in school history. Owls are a stellar three-point shooting team. Don't underestimate.

57. Furman (Southern, 24-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
88 0-1 305 *

Impressively clotheslined Samford on the road. Reminded everyone why they're the team to beat for the auto.

58. UC Santa Barbara (Big West, 25-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
100 0-0 298 🔼 *

The Gauchos get in. Not nearly as strong defensively as prior iterations, but clean up in the paint. Over 58% of points from two.

No. 15 Seeds

59. Colgate (Patriot, 25-8 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
101 0-1 344 *

Offense is without a doubt cavity-free. Raiders are No. 1 in the entirety of college basketball in eFG% offense. Wet.

60. Montana State (Big Sky, 23-9 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
103 0-1 239 *

Bobcats 14-2 since the calendar flipped to 2023. Now in the pole position to earn auto with Eastern Washington eliminated.

61. Vermont (America East, 22-10 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
109 0-3 220 *

Had the Patrick Gymnasium capacity crowd stoked. Defeated UMass-Lowell for auto. Rank top-25 nationally in eFG% offense.

62. UNC-Asheville (Big South, 25-7 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
140 0-1 309 *

Marksmen. The Bulldogs are shooting a ridiculous 38.7% from 3-point land. Tajion Jones (44.3 3P%) burns the nets from distance.

No. 16 Seeds

63. Northern Kentucky (Horizon, 22-12 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
154 0-2 273 *

Colonels eliminated heavy favorite Youngstown State. No. 14 in the country in TO% D.

64. Texas A&M Corpus Christi (Southland, 19-10 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
174 0-3 331 *

Islanders get to the line and cash in. They rank No. 2 in all of D-1 in FT% swishing 80.2 percent.

65. Howard (MEAC, 19-12 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
214 0-3 295 *

The Bison stampede into the field for first time since 1992. Heart-jumping finish against Norfolk State.

66. Southeast Missouri (OVC, 19-16 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
242 0-3 331 *

Second team to officially punch dance ticket. Likely destination Dayton, but a remarkable story winning four games in four days.

67. Fairleigh Dickinson (NEC, 19-14 overall)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
301 0-1 363 *

Strutted their stuff into the field with victory over St. Francis PA. Set the NEC pace in six different offensive categories.

68. Texas Southern (SWAC, 14-21)
Net Q1 SOS Change AQ
303 0-4 183 🔼 *

Toppling of top SWAC dog Grambling State sealed deal of Tigers' fourth straight NCAAT appearance. Welcome to Dayton.

First Four OUT

  • Nevada
  • Oklahoma State
  • Wisconsin
  • North Carolina

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