Sweet 16: NCAA Tournament Scouting Report

The Sweet 16 of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is set, and fans can expect to see some exciting games. The Florida Atlantic Owls are known for their depth, with no player averaging more than 26 minutes per game. Meanwhile, Kansas State is a fast-paced team that is great at forcing turnovers. Michigan State’s leading scorers shoot over 40% from beyond the arc, and the team is excellent defensively. Miami is undersized but makes up for it with excellent guards and a dynamic small-ball big man. Texas has a deep bench, and its players’ experience shows in their style of play. San Diego State’s success comes from their imposing defensive style, which has held opponents to only 63.1 points per game. Creighton’s defense revolves around 7-foot rim protector Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Princeton is a defensive juggernaut that held two teams well below their average points. Fans can expect some thrilling games as these teams battle for a spot in the Elite Eight.

Scouting Each Team in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament field has been reduced to only 16 teams from the initial 68 in just a matter of days. With regional semifinal matchups already set, the remaining teams now have their sights set on advancing further towards the Final Four. This is familiar territory for teams like Arkansas, Houston, and UCLA, but uncharted territory for teams like Princeton and FAU. The regular season is over and now it’s time for scouting unfamiliar opponents.

Considering what happened during the first weekend with 15 and 16 seeds winning games and top-seeded Kansas and Purdue being knocked out early, it’s reasonable to expect the unexpected this week. Ultimately, only four teams will remain after Sunday night as the Big Dance dwindles down to four national title contenders.

Now that the Sweet 16 matchups are set, let’s take an early look at what’s ahead for the Sweet 16.

West Regional

Thursday — T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

(4) UConn vs. (8) Arkansas

Scouting the Huskies

UConn, a No. 4 seed, is a well-rounded team that can beat opponents in a variety of ways. The team has excellent 3-point shooters in Jordan Hawkins, Alex Karaban, and Joey Calcaterra. They get plenty of open looks, too, because of the attention that Adama Sanogo and Donovan Clingan command in the post. Sanogo is coming off a pair of monster performances on the NCAA Tournament’s first weekend, and Clingan is a 7-foot-2 shot-blocking menace. UConn spent five consecutive weeks ranked in the top-five of the AP Top 25 poll earlier this season. Despite their seeding, the Huskies are looking like a top-five team once again.

The 2023 NCAA Tournament has been full of surprises, and the Sweet 16 promises to be just as exciting. With just two wins standing between the teams and the Final Four, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top.

Scouting Each Team in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament

West Regional

Thursday — T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

(4) UConn vs. (8) Arkansas

Scouting the Razorbacks

Arkansas, a No. 8 seed, dropped four of its last five games before the NCAA Tournament but pulled off an upset by taking down reigning champion Kansas last weekend. The Razorbacks are a poor 3-point shooting team, but they make up for it with relentless defense, which creates transition opportunities. Teams turn the basketball over 14.3 times per game against the Razorbacks, who have five players averaging double figures. Coach Eric Musselman is as much a star as anyone on the roster as he aims to reach a third consecutive Elite Eight.

(2) UCLA vs. (3) Gonzaga

Scouting the Bruins

UCLA, a No. 2 seed, may have the best pair of veteran leaders in the Sweet 16 with senior point guard Tyger Campbell and senior forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. leading the way in scoring. The two have been through some battles during their careers, and the Bruins have evolved into one of the nation’s top defensive squads over the course of the season. Although they rely heavily on 2-pointers in an era that prioritizes 3-pointers, Jaquez knows how to find good looks.

Scouting the Bulldogs

Gonzaga, a No. 3 seed, is led by senior forward Drew Timme, who tops the roster in points and rebounding. But, per usual, the Zags have multiple offensive weapons. Julian Strawther is a dynamic playmaker on the wing who has dramatically improved his 3-point shooting this season, and forward Anton Watson has come on strong lately as well. Although they lack elite rim protection, the Zags are challenging to keep up with even when they aren’t playing much defense.

East Regional

Thursday — Madison Square Garden in New York

(4) Tennessee vs. (9) FAU

Scouting the Volunteers

Tennessee, a No. 4 seed, is known for its top-ranked defense, allowing opponents to average just 57.3 points per game according to KenPom.com. The physical bunch imposes its will with a rotation of four bigs who aren’t afraid to pick up some fouls while trying to swat your shot. Offensively, senior guard Santiago Vescovi is the engine that makes things go, especially amid a season-ending injury to point guard Zakai Zeigler.

Scouting the Sweet 16 Teams in the 2023 NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament started with 68 teams, but now only 16 teams remain, and they all have their sights set on advancing even further in the competition. With the regional semifinal matchups set, scouting work has already begun for the Sweet 16 teams as they are just two wins away from reaching the Final Four.

The Favorites and Underdogs

This is familiar ground for some programs like Arkansas, Houston, and UCLA. But for the likes of Princeton and Florida Atlantic University (FAU), it marks uncharted territory. The rhythms of the regular season are gone, and the opponents are unfamiliar. While these seasons are already guaranteed to go down in history for some programs, the opportunity to accomplish something legendary awaits.

Considering what we saw during the first weekend with No. 15 and 16 seeds winning games and previously dominant teams like No. 1 seeds Kansas and Purdue making early exits, it’s probably smart to expect the unexpected this week. Ultimately, just four teams will be left standing by Sunday night as the Big Dance shrinks to a mere quartet of national title contenders.

Scouting the Teams

Now that the Sweet 16 matchups are set, let’s take an early look at what’s ahead for the Sweet 16.

West Regional

(4) UConn vs. (8) Arkansas

Scouting the Huskies — UConn can beat opponents in a variety of ways. Jordan Hawkins, Alex Karaban, and Joey Calcaterra are excellent 3-point shooters. They get plenty of open looks because of the attention that Adama Sanogo and Donovan Clingan command in the post. Sanogo is coming off a pair of monster performances on the NCAA Tournament’s first weekend, and Clingan is a 7-foot-2 shot-blocking menace. UConn spent five consecutive weeks ranked in the top-five of the AP Top 25 poll earlier this season. Though the Huskies are just a No. 4 seed, they enter the Sweet 16 looking like a top-five team once again.
Scouting the Razorbacks — Arkansas dropped four of its last five games entering the NCAA Tournament before pulling a stunner and taking down reigning champion Kansas last weekend. The Razorbacks are a terrible 3-point shooting team but make up for it with relentless defense, which creates transition opportunities. Teams turn the basketball over 14.3 times per game against the Razorbacks, who have five players averaging double figures. Coach Eric Musselman is just as big of a star as anyone on the roster as he tries to reach a third consecutive Elite Eight.

(2) UCLA vs. (3) Gonzaga

Scouting the Bruins — UCLA may have the best pair of veteran leaders in the Sweet 16 in the form of senior point guard Tyger Campbell and senior forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. The two lead the Bruins in scoring and have been through some battles during their careers. The Bruins are unusually reliant upon 2-pointers in an era that prioritizes 3-pointers. But Jaquez knows how to find good looks, and the Bruins have evolved into one of the nation’s top defensive squads over the course of the season.
Scouting the Bulldogs — Gonzaga is led by a familiar face in Drew Timme as the senior forward tops the roster in points and rebounding. But, per usual, the Zags have multiple offensive weapons. Julian Strawther is a dynamic playmaker on the wing who has dramatically improved his 3-point shooting this season, and forward Anton Watson has come on strong lately as well. The Zags are a bit mercurial on defense because they lack the elite rim

Scouting the San Diego State Aztecs

Fifth-seeded San Diego State is a team that should not be taken lightly in the NCAA Tournament. The Aztecs have a talented roster led by the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, Matt Mitchell. The senior forward is averaging 15.3 points per game and is the heart and soul of the team. Jordan Schakel is another senior leader and an elite 3-point shooter. He averages 14.4 points per game and is shooting 44% from beyond the arc.

San Diego State is a well-coached team with Brian Dutcher at the helm. They pride themselves on their defense, which ranks in the top 10 nationally in terms of points allowed per game. The Aztecs hold their opponents to just 60.1 points per game on average, which is a testament to their tenacity on the defensive end. They are also an excellent rebounding team, averaging 37.2 rebounds per game, which is good for 33rd in the nation.

Scouting the Texas Longhorns

The second-seeded Texas Longhorns are a team that has been battle-tested all season long. They boast a deep and experienced roster that is led by senior guard Andrew Jones, who averages 14.5 points per game. They have several other players who can score at a high level, including Courtney Ramey, who averages 12.6 points per game.

Texas is an efficient offensive team that ranks in the top 30 nationally in terms of points per game. They are also a team that values the basketball, ranking in the top 25 in terms of fewest turnovers per game. Defensively, the Longhorns are a formidable squad, ranking in the top 50 in terms of points allowed per game. They are also one of the best rebounding teams in the nation, averaging 40.6 rebounds per game, which is good for sixth in the country.

Scouting the Alabama Crimson Tide

Top-seeded Alabama is a team that has been dominant all season long. Led by head coach Nate Oats, the Crimson Tide are a deep and talented squad that plays with an up-tempo style on both ends of the court. They are led by sophomore guard Jaden Shackelford, who averages 14.3 points per game, and senior guard John Petty Jr., who averages 12.7 points per game.

Alabama is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the nation, ranking second in made 3-pointers per game. They are also an excellent defensive team, ranking in the top 15 nationally in terms of points allowed per game. The Crimson Tide are also an elite rebounding team, averaging 38.1 rebounds per game, which is good for 28th in the nation.

Scouting the Miami Hurricanes

Fifth-seeded Miami is a team that may lack size, but they make up for it with their tenacity and skill. Led by guard Isaiah Wong, who averages 17.1 points per game, the Hurricanes are a quick and dynamic team that likes to play small ball. They have several other players who can score at a high level, including Jordan Miller and Nijel Pack.

Miami is an excellent rebounding team, averaging 37.1 rebounds per game, which is good for 39th in the nation. They also pride themselves on their defense, which ranks in the top 100 nationally in terms of points allowed per game. With a deep rotation and excellent guard play, the Hurricanes are a team that can cause problems for any opponent.

Scouting the Aztecs and Tigers

In the Sweet 16 matchup between (1) Alabama and (5) San Diego State, the Aztecs will look to continue their success on defense. Holding opponents to an average of only 63.1 points per game, San Diego State relies on a slow pace and imposing style that coach Brian Dutcher prefers. They are excellent at forcing opponents to play slow and limit them to just 28.8% 3-point shooting. Physical guard Matt Bradley is the only SDSU player who averages double figures, making them not an attractive offensive team.

Meanwhile, the 15-seed Princeton is turning heads with their defense, holding opponents far below their average in the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Rebounding like maniacs, they limit the number of second-chance points that opponents can accumulate. Tosan Evbuomwan, a versatile forward, and Ryan Langborg, who hoists 6.2 attempts from 3-point range per game, are the players to watch offensively.

In the matchup between (6) Creighton and (15) Princeton, Creighton’s defense centers around 7-foot rim protector Ryan Kalkbrenner, making scoring inside a chore for opponents. Creighton’s strategy is to actively funnel opponents into Kalkbrenner’s domain to avoid fouling on the perimeter, resulting in a ton of blocked shots and limited free-throw opportunities for opponents. Kalkbrenner leads in scoring, and all five starters average double digits, but Creighton doesn’t have a ton of depth, making actively avoiding fouls a crucial strategy for this team. Princeton will need to find ways to break through Creighton’s defense to continue their Cinderella run.

Both San Diego State and Princeton have found success through their defense, which will be crucial in their matchups against their opponents. With their unique strategies and talented players, these teams have proven to be formidable opponents in the tournament.

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