The demise of Cinderella teams was arguably the most significant storyline to emerge from the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament — without them, the event loses much of its madness. But let’s not overlook a notable development at the other end of the food chain.
Plenty of blue bloods have bowed out, as well.
The Sweet 16 does not include Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas or UCLA, which have combined to win 29 national championships.
Also absent from the regionals: three-time winners Villanova, Louisville and Florida, the defending champion.
Indiana, which has five titles, didn’t qualify in the first place.
Those eight schools account for half of the championships won since the event’s inception in 1939.
Good luck identifying any connective tissue that neatly explains the poor collective showing from so many storied programs.
Injuries played a role, particularly with North Carolina, Louisville and UCLA.
So, too, did bad roster composition: Kentucky spent roughly $20 million on a lineup that simply didn’t work.
Kansas was eliminated in the second round on a buzzer-beater.
The end result is a Sweet 16 that has just two true blue bloods, Connecticut and Duke. (We would classify Michigan State, Michigan, Arizona and Purdue as light-blue programs.)
That doesn’t mean the regionals will be devoid of drama and high-level play. But it does suggest that certain combinations of outcomes this week could lead to a noticeable lack of star power on the grand stage.
Just as Cinderellas are the lifeblood of the early rounds, blue bloods are the pillars of the Final Four.
To the power rankings …
1. Arizona (West): The healthiest of the frontrunners survived a second-round scare from Utah State thanks to guard Jaden Bradley, but plenty of eventual champions are pushed to the brink early. (Last year, Florida beat Connecticut by two points in the second round.) The Wildcats are aiming for their first Final Four in 25 years and first championship in 29. We expect both, although there will be at least one close call in San Jose. Next up: vs. Arkansas (Thursday)
2. Michigan (Midwest): The best team in the country for three months regressed down the stretch and in the Big Ten Tournament. But the Wolverines returned to form in the opening weekend with efficient offense and stifling defense. There’s a quality case to be made that Michigan, not Arizona, is the team to beat. Next up: vs. Alabama (Friday)
3. Duke (East): The Blue Devils simply aren’t the same team without point guard Caleb Foster and struggled more than expected in wins over Siena and TCU. As long as all-everything forward Cameron Boozer is healthy, they are a threat. But their path is indisputably narrower now than it was a few weeks ago. Next up: vs. St. John’s (Friday)
4. Houston (South): The 2025 national runner-up will benefit from home cooking with the regional played a few miles from campus in the Toyota Center. Perhaps more significantly, three players scored in double figures against Texas A&M, and none of them was star guard Kingston Flemings. If he gets help consistently, the Cougars will be extremely difficult to beat. Next up: vs. Illinois (Thursday)
5. Purdue (West): The preseason No. 1 struggled to repel Miami in the second round and looked exhausted from playing six games in 11 days (in the Big Ten Tournament and NCAAs). We expect a fresher, more efficient version of the Boilermakers in the Sweet 16, which could be trouble for the rest of the West. Next up: vs. Texas (Thursday)
Zuby Ejiofor #24 of St. John’s dunks as Paul Mbiya #34 of Kansas looks on during the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, CA.(K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
6. St. John’s (East): If basketball that’s pleasing to the eye matters, the Johnnies aren’t for you. But the Red Storm have one elite player, big man Zuby Ejiofor, and perhaps the greatest coach the game has ever seen in Rick Pitino. Don’t be surprised if St. John’s is the last team standing in the loaded East regional. Next up: vs. Duke (Friday)
7. Connecticut (East): The Huskies advanced despite Solo Ball’s shooting slump and Silas Demary’s ineffective play, which should be concerning to the rest of the East. (Senior forward Alex Karaban was terrific against UCLA.) If UConn’s lead guards locate their groove in time for the Sweet 16, watch out. Next up: vs. Michigan State (Friday)
8. Iowa State (Midwest): If star forward Joshua Jefferson were fully healthy, Iowa State would be no worse than No. 4, but his sprained ankle has changed the region’s dynamics. The Cyclones have enough playmakers without Jefferson to handle Tennessee — guard Tamin Lipsey was sensational in the blowout of Kentucky — but it’s difficult to envision them toppling Michigan unless their All-American makes an impact. Next up: vs. Tennessee (Friday)
9. Arkansas (West): Coach John Calipari’s crew often looks allergic to defense and is prone to confounding mistakes. But the SEC Tournament champs have the best point guard in the country, Darius Acuff Jr., and plenty of athleticism along the front line. They are dangerous — to the point that we can envision them winning the West. Next up: vs. Arizona (Thursday)
10. Illinois (South): It’s easy to overlook the Illini, who were slightly off the radar for much of the regular season, but they can score with anyone and possess an elite guard in Keaton Wagler. That said, they have not faced a defensive dynamo like Houston — that style of play and level of athleticism simply doesn’t exist in the Big Ten. Next up: vs. Houston (Thursday)
11. Michigan State (East): This placement might seem low given the Spartans’ first-rate performances against North Dakota State and Louisville. But nobody will confuse these Spartans with the best of the Tom Izzo era. If point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. isn’t at the top of his game, Michigan State won’t last another round. Next up: vs. UConn (Friday)
12. Alabama (Midwest): The Crimson Tide put on a shooting display for the ages with 19 made 3-point shots (on 42 attempts) in their blowout of overmatched Texas Tech. Points won’t be as plentiful in the next round against Michigan’s granite defense. For the Tide to survive, it must win a meat grinder in Chicago. Next up: vs. Michigan (Friday)
13. Nebraska (South): At this point, it’s all icing. The Cornhuskers recorded their first NCAA Tournament win (ever), then stayed alive with a victory over Vanderbilt in the best game thus far. Now comes an opponent that is deeply familiar but hardly overpowering. If Indiana can become a football power, why can’t Nebraska morph into a basketball school? Next up: vs. Iowa (Thursday)
14. Iowa (South): Anything is possible for the Hawkeyes and star guard Bennett Stirtz after they became the first No. 9 seed to defeat a No. 1 since Florida State slayed Xavier eight years ago. If you’re curious, Iowa split the regular-season series with Nebraska; each team won on its home floor. Next up: vs. Nebraska (Thursday).
15. Texas (West): The only double-digit seed remaining in the tournament is yet another team to advance to the Sweet 16 out of the First Four. We’re skeptical the Longhorns can slow Purdue’s offense in the next round but have our eye on a delicious matchup looming in the Elite Eight, with UT coach Sean Miller potentially facing his former team, Arizona. Next up: vs. Purdue (Thursday)
16. Tennessee (Midwest): The Volunteers are in the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive season as coach Rick Barnes continues to churn out stellar defensive teams that score just enough to survive the first weekend. They could last another round given the Cyclones’ depleted state. Next up: vs. Iowa State (Friday)