They’ve had the committee speak before about what is entailed with the selection process. They do create the matchups and regions manually. Now I’m not saying computer data isn’t involved, but it’s done by the committee.
Bracket Discussion
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They’ve had the committee speak before about what is entailed with the selection process. They do create the matchups and regions manually. Now I’m not saying computer data isn’t involved, but it’s done by the committee.
Iowa fans don't like losing to their in-state rival teams either...interesting how you left that part out. Hmmm.
Here's my final bracket projection for this season.
Some notes:
Some notes:
- I think Kansas/Alabama/Houston will be the top 3 teams, but I really have no idea in what order they'll place them. Being ahead of Houston is important for Kansas to get that Kansas City regional.
- If Kansas doesn't get placed in the Midwest, I think Iowa State could be the 5-seed in that Kansas City regional. If Kansas does get it, and if ISU is a 5-seed, expect to see them in the South or East regions.
- Ultimately, I landed on a 5-seed for ISU. I see some people out there whispering they could get the final 4-seed, but that would really surprise me with 13 losses. The final two 4-seeds will come down to Duke, Indiana, San Diego State, Virginia, Texas A&M, or I guess potentially ISU.
- I do think there's still an outside shot at a 6-seed for ISU, which might not be the worst thing in the world due to the strength of the mid-major 12-seeds this year. It also would open up an avenue to get to be placed in the Midwest (or maybe even get DSM if Marquette is a 3-seed, which I don't think is very likely; like less than a 2% chance of happening of Marq being a 3 AND ISU being a 6 in that specific pod).
- If ISU is a 5-seed, it seems like Albany or Orlando are the likely first weekend locations with a smaller chance at Greensboro.
- For those of you fearing the Drake matchup, I read once that if a school is hosting like Drake is in DSM this year, they try to have their school play on the other day if possible. That would mean Drake wouldn't play in Orlando but could play in Albany or Greensboro. Also, I question the validity of this theory as ISU hosted in Des Moines in 2016 but played that same day in Denver. I think they try to accommodate the hosting school but won't prioritize it in front of other bracket procedures.
- Speaking to the strength of the mid-major 12-seeds this year, there wasn't a single "bid-stealer" this year in any conference tournament, and a high percentage of 1 or 2-seeds won their conference tournaments in those smaller leagues (Oral Roberts, Drake, Charleston, VCU, Kent State, Iona, Furman). The mid-major pool is strong this season.
- I think Oklahoma State will get left out, but I don't have a ton of confidence in that. Their resume looks quite similar to Oklahoma of last year, which was the 2nd team left out of the field.
- In all my years of doing this, this is the year where I'm most lost on those final 2-3 spots. I see it as 10 teams for 5 spots: NC State, Providence, Arizona State, Nevada, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Clemson, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin. I'd be surprised if NC State and Providence didn't at least make Dayton (I have them as my last two byes), but those other 8 teams? I wouldn't be surprised to see any included or left out.
It's not much. Just pick up he next team in the list and put them at their closest location and let the software tell you if it's allowed.
I think what @Beyerball and @alarson described is a general summary of the process — not claiming selecting the field itself is computerized — committee "manually" determines the 1-68 seed list (which is the primary task), then places seeds 1 thru 4 (with "balanced" regions as well as possible). From there, some of the mechanism of seeding and placement is aided by computer to ensure bracketing principles are followed. I'm sure some manual adjustment could be done after that point, if necessary.
I’m not sure about Beyerball’s blanket statement that 3 or 4 scenario brackets are created by default … I know there are contingency brackets if Sunday games might affect outcome of invitation/bracket placement.
I like it.
Appreciate the thorough notes, too.
I didn't know about the host school/separate day secondary accommodation. And as you stated, that'd be met only if it doesn't mess up the other primary bracket rules.
I agree the 1's will be KU, Bama, Houston, Purdue, in that order. Not saying I'd be shocked if it isn't.
Ultimately I don't expect any major "what?!" selections along the last in/first out. Your has Nevada "in," my guess says it's out; OSU being in might be about the only "discussion" point if selected.
Good observation about the strong mid-major regular season #1/#2 also being tournament champs. That doesn't always happen.
As usual, I'm taking the plunge w/ ESPN "Second Change Bracket," although I routinely fail just as badly with that as I do with the main bracket challenge.
After reading a bit this week about this years Final Four teams I wonder if we'll soon start to hear rumblings about some wanting to change the tournament. Like maybe make two tournaments. One for the "Power ___" basketball conferences and one for the "Group of ___"
We'll see how ratings are for thr tournament it total but if they suffer because of the teams that have been winning CBS won't like it one bit. And with the current momentum that the highest earners in football have created I wonder if they'll be a group that wants to do the same thing in basketball. Plus, they'd never admit it but the bourgeoisie programs (and CBS) might be getting tired of getting beat by the proletariats.
Not advocating for it. Just wondering.
We'll see how ratings are for thr tournament it total but if they suffer because of the teams that have been winning CBS won't like it one bit. And with the current momentum that the highest earners in football have created I wonder if they'll be a group that wants to do the same thing in basketball. Plus, they'd never admit it but the bourgeoisie programs (and CBS) might be getting tired of getting beat by the proletariats.
Not advocating for it. Just wondering.
Last year's final four was KU, UNC, Duke and Nova. I just think this is one of those odd years.
Yeah, it’s largely an anomaly. Among 40 Final Four teams in the previous 10 tournaments (2012-22, ’20 being canceled), only non-P6 teams are Wichita State (2013), UConn (2014), Gonzaga (2017, 2021), Loyola (2018) and Houston (2022) - and Houston moves up to P6 next season. Plus, in CBB context, Zaga barely qualifies as “mid-major.”
In addition, it wouldn’t surprise me if SDSU-FAU game draws decent viewership anyway — the underdog/novelty factor.
Edited: UConn was AAC in '14, not Big East, so I added to list, although AAC is probably "P7."
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