This year’s Selection Sunday was anything but ordinary. The excitement revolved around North Carolina’s close call into March Madness. This decision prompted a reminder from North Carolina’s athletic director that he had no influence over the choice, even though he leads the selection committee. Texas also barely made the cut, contributing to the Southeastern Conference’s record-breaking 14 teams, including top-seeded Auburn. Despite a few recent losses, Auburn bested Duke for a top-seed position.
Rick Pitino’s noteworthy achievement of returning St. John’s to relevance comes with a trip to Providence, where his coaching career first flourished with a Final Four appearance. He may face John Calipari’s Arkansas team if both proceed past the initial rounds. Crafting a bracket that promises as much action on the court as during its unveiling proved challenging, according to North Carolina AD Bubba Cunningham.
Auburn’s top placement over Duke is attributed to the Tigers’ grueling schedule, showing the highest strength due to the wealth of SEC talent in the tournament. SEC teams maintained an impressive record, and Auburn Coach Bruce Pearl acknowledges the need to regain momentum. Florida enters as the favorite, having dominated the SEC tournament, and Houston rounds out the top seeds with a possible second-round clash against Gonzaga in their continuous tournament journey.
This year, the inclusion of North Carolina overshadowed Texas’s entry despite a loss-heavy season—a topic often captivating under normal circumstances. Addressing potential favoritisms, CBS analyst Seth Davis questioned Cunningham’s involvement, though vice-chair Keith Gill clarified the AD’s non-participation in discussions about his school and highlighted favorable metrics as the basis for North Carolina’s inclusion.
Both North Carolina and Texas are slated for the First Four games, beginning Tuesday, advancing the tournament into full motion with dozens of matchups across the country later in the week. West Virginia, Indiana, and Boise State were among those that missed the cut this time.
Elsewhere, Pitino’s unique milestone of leading a sixth program into the tournament entails a challenging path to the Final Four. A chance encounter with Calipari loom after St. John’s opening game against Omaha. For Michigan State, legacy coach Tom Izzo continues his streak and UConn fights for an elusive three-peat victory despite being seeded eighth, hinting at a tough road ahead.
In an already idiosyncratic bracket, the SEC’s presence is particularly pronounced, leading to inevitable internal clashes despite prior attempts to separate conference rivals early. The SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 seized significant portions of the spots, sparking debates about further inclusivity for bigger programs if the tournament expands. A repeat SEC victor remains elusive since Kentucky’s triumph over a decade ago, but the conference’s robust showing offers hope for a new title.
