Norlander ranks NCAAT teams 1-68

[Smashcat]

2025 NCAA Tournament bracket: Ranking every team playing in March Madness from No. 1 to 68

From best to worst, Matt Norlander lays out the need-to-knows about all 68 teams in this year's men's NCAA Tournament

www.cbssports.com

 

[bthaunert]

I think his write-up is spot on:

The WIldcats had eight top-15 wins this season, and I'd have Mark Pope's group even higher if they were healthy. But with Lamont Butler's shoulder a lingering concern and Jaxson Robinson now out for the season (wrist), in addition to not having Kerr Kriisa since December, there's a ceiling on this group. That said, Pope's done a wonderful job in his first year at his alma mater. Kentucky scores 85.3 points per game, and that's led by one of the most surprisingly great transfers this season: Otega Oweh. The former Oklahoma Sooner leads UK at 16.2 per night, followed by Butler and Koby Brea averaging 11.5. Kentucky's spotty defense cost this team a few times in big spots this season, but it's a lot better than where it was in mid-January. With the style of play and the camaraderie on the court, UK is a threat to make the second weekend -- but it also could be vulnerable to a first-round upset. A lot's on the table with this group, which makes them fun to watch.

 

[HenryMuto]

Gonzaga ahead of Kentucky

 

[precipitance]

Stuff like this is disappointing. Our injuries really took a toll on this teams potential. Even with injuries we still look good against the field. Pope has been an absolute alchemist!

 

[JFCats22]

8 seed Gonzaga as #13

 

[The_Answer1313]

8 seed Gonzaga as #13

Norlander believing in the computers lol.

 

[precipitance]

8 seed Gonzaga as #13

They were always a good underdog story. Good for motivation.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Norlander also did his bracket on YouTube .. and he really kind of was selling on the SEC. He did have UK beating Tennessee, but he had a lot of SEC first round upsets.

 

[JimboBBN]

Not sure how anyone has Duke, yet two other teams, ahead of the Gators right now

 

[catfan220]

Not sure how anyone has Duke, yet two other teams, ahead of the Gators right now

My gut reaction bracket last night had Florida winning it all. I've since gone and edited that. Golden, like Pope, has never won an NCAA tournament game. I think it's a lot to ask him to come in and win six straight (especially with Pitino in the bracket). And it feels like so often the "hot" team coming into the tournament ends up flaming out before anyone expects. Auburn last season is a great example.

Unfortunately, assuming Flagg is healthy, I think it's Duke's to lose...

 

[sefus12]

My gut reaction bracket last night had Florida winning it all. I've since gone and edited that. Golden, like Pope, has never won an NCAA tournament game. I think it's a lot to ask him to come in and win six straight (especially with Pitino in the bracket). And it feels like so often the "hot" team coming into the tournament ends up flaming out before anyone expects. Auburn last season is a great example.

Unfortunately, assuming Flagg is healthy, I think it's Duke's to lose...

I get that Duke ran through the ACC, but they haven’t seen truly quality opponents in over two months. Do we really know just how good they are?

 

[jwphelps]

2025 NCAA Tournament bracket: Ranking every team playing in March Madness from No. 1 to 68

From best to worst, Matt Norlander lays out the need-to-knows about all 68 teams in this year's men's NCAA Tournament

www.cbssports.com

What metrics did this fool use. I question several of his rankings as Ludacris

 

[yoshukai]

I get that Duke ran through the ACC, but they haven’t seen truly quality opponents in over two months. Do we really know just how good they are?

No , we don’t. There are at least a few teams that would have looked just as impressive as Duke playing that schedule.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Norlander also did his bracket on YouTube .. and he really kind of was selling on the SEC. He did have UK beating Tennessee, but he had a lot of SEC first round upsets.

That would be surprising. The sec bitchslapped these conferences in November and December ooc.

I mean yeah we are gonna see a lot of sec teams lose due to seeding but I still think sec gets 6 n sweet 16 and 4 in elite 8 and 2 in final four and a sec team wins a title. Success.

 

[catfan220]

I get that Duke ran through the ACC, but they haven’t seen truly quality opponents in over two months. Do we really know just how good they are?

No , we don’t. There are at least a few teams that would have looked just as impressive as Duke playing that schedule.

We don't know, sure, but I worry them winning the ACC tournament without Flagg (including some close games) will help them in a tight tournament game because they may not feel like it's got to be Flagg down the stretch. The predictive metrics aren't everything but they're not nothing and Duke leads in Kenpom, NET, BPI, and EvanMiya, and is 2nd in Bart Torvik.

 

[yoshukai]

We don't know, sure, but I worry them winning the ACC tournament without Flagg (including some close games) will help them in a tight tournament game because they may not feel like it's got to be Flagg down the stretch. The predictive metrics aren't everything but they're not nothing and Duke leads in Kenpom, NET, BPI, and EvanMiya, and is 2nd in Bart Torvik.

But would Florida lead in Kenpom, NET, BPI, and EvanMiya, and be 2nd in Bart Torvik against the competition that Duke played? Hard to say. Duke played what? six ranked teams? And lost to 3 of them? I’m just hoping they’re overrated.

 

[The_Answer1313]

It looks to be so awfully close with the top teams I'm not sure it really matters at this point.

Duke is +38 in eff margin
UF is +36
Houston and Auburn are +35

Duke "might" be a 1 point favorite over UF in a potential title game.

We've never had this many dominant 1 seeds before. I don't think we've had a year in history where all 1 seeds made a final four but if it was to happen, it be this one. There is a clear cut line before these four teams and the tier right below.

 

[Mike-D]

Id pick Florida over Houston about 8 out of 10 games.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Norlander knows about as much as my left nut that tinges when it rains.

He sucks Dook off so hard with the first rank he's left dry mouthed and bumbling the rest the way.

 

[Creed Bratton]

Gonzaga ahead of Kentucky

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 If the Zags played in the SEC they would easily have 12-13 losses. Heck they wound up with 8 playing in the WCC with 1 other tournament team.

 

[gbl97]

It looks to be so awfully close with the top teams I'm not sure it really matters at this point.

Duke is +38 in eff margin
UF is +36
Houston and Auburn are +35

Duke "might" be a 1 point favorite over UF in a potential title game.

We've never had this many dominant 1 seeds before. I don't think we've had a year in history where all 1 seeds made a final four but if it was to happen, it be this one. There is a clear cut line before these four teams and the tier right below.

Have you been able to find a free source for efficiency margin stats?

 

[Ron Mehico]

It would appear he overrated Louisville

 

[HenryMuto]

It would appear he overrated Louisville

#18 on the Norlander meter but Creighton was #27

 

[The_Answer1313]

Have you been able to find a free source for efficiency margin stats?

The home page of Kenpom is free. But if you want the underlying stats too among other things this site is pretty good

T-Rank - Customizable College Basketball Tempo Free Stats - T-Rank

T-Rank College Basketball Ratings and Rankings. And fun.

www.barttorvik.com

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Not sure how anyone has Duke, yet two other teams, ahead of the Gators right now

Duke has incredible defensive players at every position, has athleticism that exceeds almost everyone and has a do-it-all power forward with elite guard skills that is a matchup problem for literally 67 teams in the bracket. I picked Duke to beat Florida in my bracket. I would love to be wrong but Duke has everything you would want in a national championship contender. Elite superstar - check. Depth - check. Elite rim protector - check. Elite wing defenders - check. Shooting and spacing - check. Slashers - check. Physicality - check. Finesse - check. I hope Duke loses the first game but I think they are really good.

 

[UK90]

That’s a thorough and well written piece. Norlander really put in some work accurately explaining his grounds for nearly all of em.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

I get that Duke ran through the ACC, but they haven’t seen truly quality opponents in over two months. Do we really know just how good they are?

This! Not to mention, they lost to two of the best teams they played: UK and Kansas, and Kansas is garbage.

 

[runt#69]

Norlander knows about as much as my left nut that tinges when it rains.

He sucks Dook off so hard with the first rank he's left dry mouthed and bumbling the rest the way.

tell us how you really feel rideordie ! 😂

 

[billoliver40]

Clemson shot a hole in his listing.