The 2025 Men's NCAA Tournament has reached an exciting stage, with more than three quarters of the original field eliminated. As we approach the final games, just 16 teams remain in the hunt for the national championship, showcasing a lineup that is stacked with talent. Of the remaining teams, 15 were among the top 22 in our initial 68-team power rankings, with the top eight teams intact. The only outlier is No. 10 seed Arkansas, which was previously ranked as the No. 31 team.
Despite the shifting landscape, the rankings reflect the overall performance of these teams over their first 30-plus games, rather than just their most recent victories. This article provides a detailed ranking of the 16 remaining teams, assessing their strengths and weaknesses as they vie for glory.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 19
How They've Looked: The Wolverines have relied heavily on their formidable big-man duo, Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin, who have combined for impressive stats in their games against UC San Diego and Texas A&M. Their size has allowed Michigan to compete effectively in the paint.
Bread and Butter: Michigan excels at two-point field goals, boasting a shooting percentage of 57.3% while limiting opponents to 46.0%. However, they often stray from this strength with inconsistent three-point shooting.
Achilles' Heel: Turnovers remain a significant concern for Michigan, making their path to victory more challenging.
MVP: Danny Wolf has been a standout player, contributing nearly 13 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Championship Blueprint: Limit turnovers, dominate the paint, and maintain their winning streak in close games.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 18
How They've Looked: Purdue has proven to be resilient, overcoming expectations in their matchups against High Point and McNeese, largely due to their rebounding prowess.
Bread and Butter: The Boilermakers are adept at creating quality shots, ranking 10th nationally in three-point shooting.
Achilles' Heel: Interior defense has been a problem, particularly following the injury to their key player, Daniel Jacobsen.
MVP: Braden Smith has been critical in their tournament success, showcasing his ability to control the game.
Championship Blueprint: Capitalize on their rebounding and maintain their strong shooting performance.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 31
How They've Looked: The Razorbacks have rejuvenated their game with the return of Boogie Fland, who has made significant contributions in crucial moments.
Bread and Butter: Arkansas excels at shot-blocking and aggressive drives to the basket, supported by improved performances from big men Jonas Aidoo and Trevon Brazile.
Achilles' Heel: The team struggles with three-point shooting, which has been a concern during tight games.
MVP: A range of players have stepped up, making it challenging to identify a single MVP.
Championship Blueprint: Focus on defensive strengths and scoring efficiently at the rim.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 22
How They've Looked: Ole Miss has surprised many with their shooting performance, particularly from three-point range, which has significantly improved since the tournament began.
Bread and Butter: They thrive on creating turnovers, averaging more than five takeaways per game.
Achilles' Heel: Rebounding has been a struggle for the Rebels, which could pose challenges in upcoming matchups.
MVP: Sean Pedulla leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals, making him a pivotal player in their success.
Championship Blueprint: Maintain strong shooting and capitalize on turnovers while improving rebounding efforts.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 16
How They've Looked: Arizona has shown resilience, particularly with Caleb Love stepping up in crucial games.
Bread and Butter: The Wildcats dominate the glass and excel in two-point shooting.
Achilles' Heel: Three-point shooting remains inconsistent, which could be a liability against stronger opponents.
MVP: Caleb Love has been a consistent scorer, proving his worth in tight situations.
Championship Blueprint: Control the glass and get key players into a rhythm, especially Love.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 11
How They've Looked: Kentucky has held its own against tough defenses, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
Bread and Butter: The Wildcats excel at generating quality shots, ranking high in scoring efficiency.
Achilles' Heel: Defensive weaknesses have been apparent, particularly in allowing high-scoring games.
MVP: Otega Oweh has been a standout offensive player, crucial in their tournament run.
Championship Blueprint: Increase offensive tempo and improve defensive consistency.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 15
How They've Looked: BYU has been on an offensive tear, consistently scoring high against tough defenses.
Bread and Butter: Their shooting efficiency, especially from three-point range, has been a key factor in their success.
Achilles' Heel: Perimeter defense has been a concern, making them vulnerable against skilled shooters.
MVP: Richie Saunders has been the driving force behind their scoring, leading the team in points.
Championship Blueprint: Continue shooting well and improve defensive strategies.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 10
How They've Looked: Maryland has shown strong performances, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Bread and Butter: They play mistake-free basketball and excel in defense, maintaining a solid turnover margin.
Achilles' Heel: Depth could become an issue as they rely heavily on their starting five.
MVP: Derik Queen has been instrumental, consistently contributing points and rebounds.
Championship Blueprint: Dominate in the paint and maintain low turnover rates.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 6
How They've Looked: Michigan State has made steady progress but needs to start strong in upcoming games.
Bread and Butter: Their rebounding prowess is among the best in the nation, providing a significant advantage.
Achilles' Heel: Three-point shooting remains a challenge, which could hinder their progress.
MVP: Jase Richardson has been a key player, showcasing his ability to impact games.
Championship Blueprint: Focus on rebounding and improve shooting efficiency.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 8
How They've Looked: Texas Tech has maintained a strong performance with minimal turnovers, which has been critical in their victories.
Bread and Butter: Their offensive strategy is built around effective shooting and utilizing size advantages.
Achilles' Heel: Defensive inconsistencies have been a concern and could impact future matchups.
MVP: JT Toppin has been a standout player, showing incredible scoring and rebounding abilities.
Championship Blueprint: Focus on offensive efficiency while tightening up defense.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 5
How They've Looked: Alabama has shown resilience, bouncing back from earlier struggles to dominate in recent games.
Bread and Butter: Their high-scoring offense is a hallmark of their playstyle, leading the nation in points per game.
Achilles' Heel: Turnover margin has been problematic, which could hinder their chances against stronger teams.
MVP: Mark Sears has been vital to their success, especially in high-pressure situations.
Championship Blueprint: Maintain fast-paced scoring while improving turnover management.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 7
How They've Looked: Tennessee has showcased their defensive strength, making it difficult for opponents to score.
Bread and Butter: Their lock-down defense has been key, ranking highly in several defensive metrics.
Achilles' Heel: Lack of tertiary scoring options could become a concern in tight games.
MVP: Chaz Lanier has been a standout performer, crucial to their offensive success.
Championship Blueprint: Get Lanier open for scoring opportunities while maintaining defensive strength.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 3
How They've Looked: Auburn has had solid performances but needs to find their rhythm to meet expectations.
Bread and Butter: Their offensive capabilities shine when they’re firing on all cylinders, especially in scoring.
Achilles' Heel: Free throw shooting has been problematic, putting them at a disadvantage in close games.
MVP: Johni Broome is a key player with the potential for explosive performances.
Championship Blueprint: Maximize scoring opportunities while improving free throw shooting.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 4
How They've Looked: Florida has shown resilience and adaptability in their games, bouncing back from adversity.
Bread and Butter: Their transition offense is one of the best, capitalizing on fast breaks effectively.
Achilles' Heel: Perimeter defense needs improvement to prevent opponents from exploiting open shots.
MVP: Walter Clayton Jr. has emerged as a leader, contributing significantly in critical moments.
Championship Blueprint: Maintain offensive momentum and tighten up on defense.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 2
How They've Looked: Houston has dominated in their matchups, showcasing both offensive and defensive prowess.
Bread and Butter: Their defense is stifling, complemented by effective three-point shooting.
Achilles' Heel: Interior scoring remains a challenge, which could hinder their performance against tough defenses.
MVP: L.J. Cryer has been pivotal in their success, contributing significantly on both ends of the court.
Championship Blueprint: Focus on tight defense while maximizing scoring opportunities.
Pre-Tournament Power Ranking: No. 1
How They've Looked: Duke has been formidable, consistently delivering strong performances against their opponents.
Bread and Butter: Their overall efficiency on both offense and defense makes them a tough contender.
Achilles' Heel: They need to improve on generating turnovers, as this can lead to close calls against strong teams.
MVP: Cooper Flagg has emerged as a key contributor, leading the team in multiple categories.
Championship Blueprint: Stay healthy, maintain efficiency, and avoid defensive lapses against upper-echelon teams.
