Remaining teams signal David vs. Goliath matchups
As the NCAA tournament moves into the second day of Sweet 16 games, the bracket continues to scratch more and more teams out, with the Final Four set for next weekend.
When looking at both sides of the bracket and comparing the remaining 12 teams, there is a stark difference between the two sides when it comes to tournament success.
On the right side (Midwest and South Regions), there have been a combined 28 national championships won, compared to just three on the left.
| Right Side | Elite Eight | Final Four | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 4 Butler | 2 (2011) | 2 (2011) | 0 |
| No. 1 Kansas | 23 (2017) | 14 (2012) | 3 (2008) |
| No. 2 Kentucky | 36 (2015) | 17 (2015) | 8 (2012) |
| No. 1 North Carolina | 27 (2016) | 19 (2016) | 5 (2009) |
| No. 3 Oregon | 7 (2017) | 1 (1939) | 1 (1939) |
| No. 3 UCLA | 22 (2008) | 18 (2008) | 11 (1995) |
The right side features a host of blue bloods, in the likes of Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and UCLA. In order to reach the national championship game, a team like UCLA would have to beat Kentucky and North Carolina.
It is murderers' row on the right side, as every school has played in a title game, with Butler the only school not to have won a championship, losing twice when the Bulldogs made it all the way to the finals.
| Left Side | Elite Eight | Final Four | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 3 Baylor | 4 (2012) | 2 (1950) | 0 |
| No. 4 Florida | 8 (2014) | 5 (2014) | 2 (2007) |
| No. 1 Gonzaga | 3 (2017) | 0 | 0 |
| No. 7 South Carolina | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 8 Wisconsin | 6 (2015) | 4 (2015) | 1 (1941) |
| No. 11 Xavier | 3 (2017) | 0 | 0 |
The left side (East and West Regions) of the chart has a lot of zeros, as South Carolina will be looking to reach its first Elite Eight in program history, while the winner of Gonzaga-Xavier in the Elite Eight will earn its programs first trip to the Final Four.
The remaining teams' seeding average is also different from the two sides.
On the right, the average seed is a No. 2, while on the left it is closer to a No. 6.
With how the two sides of the bracket have played out thus far, it has shaped up into a David versus Goliath type matchup.