As the NCAA tournament approaches, let the bracket reactions begin! We now have a bracket, giving us three days to delve into it. Here are 10 immediate thoughts on this year’s field of 68:
1. SEC Teams Dominate the NCAA Tournament
Sunday marked a significant day for the SEC, as it set a record with 14 teams from a single conference making it to the NCAA tournament. This was a surprise for Texas, which was seeded higher than several other at-large teams, narrowly avoiding the First Four.
Vanderbilt and Arkansas also made the field comfortably as 10-seeds, while Oklahoma secured a 9-seed. The top teams in the SEC dominated the top three lines, confirming the league’s strength.
2. Big Names in Providence
This year’s tournament quadrant in Providence features big names like Rick Pitino’s St. John’s, Bill Self’s Kansas, and John Calipari’s Arkansas. Matt Painter and Purdue are also in the mix, promising exciting first-round matchups.
The Midwest Region games in Providence are anticipated to be thrilling, with potential upsets on the horizon.
3. West Virginia’s Historic Exclusion
In a shocking twist, West Virginia became the first unanimous selection to be left out of the NCAA tournament, despite being included by all 111 Bracketologists. The absence of star Tucker DeVries due to injury was cited as a reason for this exclusion.
4. Inconsistencies in the ACC Seeding
The bracket reveal brought surprises, with Auburn taking the No. 1 overall seed instead of Duke, and Louisville being pushed down to an 8-seed despite their strong performance in the ACC.
This led many to speculate about North Carolina’s inclusion, despite their struggles this season.
5. The Midwest Region: Potential for Chaos
Predictions suggest that the Midwest Region could see unexpected outcomes, particularly with top-seeded Houston facing injury issues. The region has a history of surprising performances from lower-seeded teams.
6. North Carolina’s Surprising Inclusion
North Carolina’s inclusion in the tournament sparked debate. Their disappointing record in a weak ACC raised eyebrows, leading many to question the rationale behind their selection.
7. Talent vs. Performance: North Carolina’s Potential
Despite their underwhelming season, North Carolina has talent capable of making a deep run in the tournament, echoing the success of past teams that defied expectations.
8. 12/5 Upset Trend Likely to Continue
Historically, the 12-seed often upsets the 5-seed, and this year’s lineup suggests that trend may persist, with several competitive 12-seeds poised to advance.
9. BYU vs. VCU: A Must-Watch Matchup
The matchup between BYU and VCU is generating buzz, with both teams having explosive offensive capabilities and the potential for a thrilling game.
10. Gonzaga’s Challenge Ahead
Gonzaga faces a tough road ahead as they aim to extend their streak of Sweet 16 appearances against formidable opponents in their bracket.
Overall, this year’s tournament promises to be filled with excitement, surprises, and the potential for memorable moments as teams vie for the championship.
