NCAA Seeding: Controversies and Smart Picks

0:00On March 16th, the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee nailed most of its picks and seeds for this year's bracket, but a few head scratchers stand out. As the first four games kick off Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio, overall, they handled a tough process well, with no perfect bracket possible amid all the metrics and matchups. Vanderbilt took the biggest hit, landing as a number five seed despite results, based metrics placing them between a two and three seed and predictive. Team suggesting at worst the top four. After the mid-February preview pegged them as a four, they racked out four more wins over tournament teams, including three elite quad-1 victories. Like crushing number one C. Florida, yet teams like Kansas, Michigan, state, and Nebraska, with weaker finishes, jumped ahead. Reactions from fans and analysts highlight the frustration, especially since the committee stresses conference tournament play as with produce. Number two, seed after its Big Ten title. Vanderbilt's deep SEC run seemed ignored, mirroring last year's snub of Louisville.

1:03On a brighter note, new details show smart bubble moves, like sending Miami of Ohio to the first four based on shaky predictive metrics despite a solid resume, and picking SMU over a 17-16 Auburn, factoring in the Mustang's key guard returning from injury. Gonzaga's number three seed feels high given their results metrics and a star forwards knee injury. Meanwhile, NC State rightly heads to Dayton too, with their late skid and lack of top 30 wins exposed in the metrics. As the real games unfold, these seeding debates will fade into the excitement of March Madness.