The March Madness Sweet 16 2024 lineup is officially set, and the men’s NCAA Tournament is now down to the final 16 teams. After trimming the field from 68 to 16, this year’s tournament is dominated by college basketball powerhouses, with top seeds prevailing and only one double-digit seed surviving the opening rounds.
With most favorites advancing, fans are now gearing up for a star-studded Final Four battle next month in San Antonio. Here’s a look at the biggest winners and losers as the first two rounds wrap up.
March Madness Sweet 16 2024: Who Came Out as the Biggest Winners?
No. 1 Seeds Stay Strong
The March Madness Sweet 16 2024 features all four No. 1 seeds advancing comfortably. Auburn shook off a slow start to defeat Alabama State and Creighton. Houston battled hard, surviving Gonzaga in a thriller. Florida edged out reigning champions Connecticut, while Duke has looked unstoppable, winning their first two games by a combined 67 points.
Duke and Star Freshman Cooper Flagg Shine
Among the No. 1 seeds, Duke stands out as the most dominant. Freshman Cooper Flagg made a stellar return from injury, delivering back-to-back strong performances. He scored 14 points with seven rebounds against Mount St. Mary’s and followed it up with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists against Baylor.
John Calipari’s Redemption with Arkansas
John Calipari’s March Madness Sweet 16 2024 run with Arkansas is one of the tournament’s best storylines. In his first season, Calipari led the Razorbacks to a stunning upset over St. John’s, earning a Sweet 16 spot. It’s a career-defining moment after struggling in his final years at Kentucky.
SEC Makes History
The SEC shattered records by sending seven teams to the March Madness Sweet 16 2024, proving its dominance. Auburn, Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky all advanced. Despite a few early stumbles, the SEC cemented its place as the strongest conference in this year’s tournament.
Maryland’s Dramatic Buzzer-Beater
Maryland earned one of the most dramatic wins of the tournament. Freshman Derik Queen nailed a game-winning fadeaway jumper against Colorado State, sending the Terrapins to their first Sweet 16 since 2016. It was a heroic moment in March Madness Sweet 16 2024 action.
March Madness Sweet 16 2024: Who Fell Short in the NCAA Tournament?
Connecticut’s Title Defense Ends Early
Reigning champions Connecticut saw their 13-game tournament winning streak snapped. After surviving Oklahoma, the Huskies fell to Florida in a close 77-75 battle. UConn’s exit marks a disappointing early end for one of the tournament’s top programs.
Big East Collapse
The March Madness Sweet 16 2024 was brutal for the Big East. For the first time since 2019, no Big East team made it to the Sweet 16. Marquette, Creighton, and Xavier all exited early, marking a disappointing showing for the conference that dominated recent tournaments.
No True Cinderella in March Madness Sweet 16 2024
The tournament’s charm is often its underdog stories, but the March Madness Sweet 16 2024 lacks a true Cinderella. Arkansas, a major program, is the lowest seed left. For the first time since 2007, no team seeded higher than No. 10 has reached the Sweet 16. Additionally, no non-power conference team besides Gonzaga is present, making this year’s bracket heavily loaded with traditional powerhouses.
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