Sweet 16 has unexpected field after favorites ousted

CHARLOTTE, N.C. » After little went according to plan in the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament, the bracket has a wildly different look for the Sweet 16 than many expected.

Out: Two 1-seeds (Virginia and Xavier) and a pair of 2-seeds (North Carolina and Cincinnati).

In: Two No. 11 seeds (Syracuse and Loyola-Chicago).

There are only seven of the top 16 seeds still alive for the regional rounds

The Cavaliers’ historic loss to 16-seed UMBC took out the top overall seed and thrust Villanova into the role of favorite, while preseason No. 1 Duke was dominant in its two tournament wins.

Despite all the bracket turmoil, the power conferences managed to get 12 teams into the Sweet 16, with four coming from both the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big 12.

Here’s a look at the updated Final Four paths for the top remaining seeds: reigning champion Tar Heels in their home state.

Fourth-seeded Gonzaga (324) will face ninth-seeded Florida State (22-11) after the Seminoles’ upset of the Musketeers .

“I think what you see happening in college basketball, it’s almost like a revolution,” FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. “And what happens is you start categorizing people by the reputation that their players get going into college.

“But in reality, kids are playing basketball all over the country and teams are getting better.”