Purdue Tops NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee’s Top 16 Teams for Tournament Seedings
The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee has revealed its top 16 teams for the upcoming tournament seedings. The committee, led by chairman Charles McClelland, not only determined which teams deserved a No. 1 seed but also the order in which they fell on the true seed list. The announcement was made during the Bracket Preview Show on CBS.
Purdue emerged as the overall top seed for the tournament, thanks to its impressive record of seven wins in the top half of the first quadrant. The Boilermakers have proven themselves against tough competition, boasting a 23-2 record against the nation’s strongest schedule. Their victories include notable teams such as Arizona, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Hot on Purdue’s heels is UConn, with 13 wins in the first two quadrants and only two losses this season. The defending national champion Huskies are aiming to become the first repeat champion since Florida in 2007.
The other two No. 1 seeds are Houston and Arizona. Houston currently sits atop the NET rankings, thanks to their exceptional defense. Meanwhile, Arizona has seven wins in the first quadrant against a challenging schedule. The Cougars have a 21-3 record and are tied for first place in the Big 12 Conference standings in their inaugural year in the league. The Wildcats, with a record of 19-5, are leading the Pac-12 Conference and hoping to secure a conference title in their final year in the league.
According to McClelland, it is highly unusual for the committee to reach a consensus not only on the four teams deserving of No. 1 seeds but also on their sequence in terms of voting on the seed list. He believes that these four teams are strong candidates to be No. 1 seeds in the tournament next month.
History supports McClelland’s assessment. Last year, the Bracket Preview Show correctly identified Alabama, Houston, Purdue, and Kansas as the top seeds in their respective regions. All four teams maintained their top-seed status on Selection Sunday. In previous years, three out of the four No. 1 seeds remained the same in March, with the remaining team dropping to a No. 2 seed.
While there was general agreement on the top four teams, there were differing opinions on the order of the schools in the two line. Ultimately, North Carolina secured a higher position than Tennessee due to their home win over the Volunteers in November. Similarly, Marquette’s victory over Kansas on a neutral court played a role in the Golden Eagles edging out the Jayhawks for the overall Nos. 7 and 8 spots on the seed list.
Alabama, with the nation’s most efficient offense, leads the quartet of teams on the three line. The Crimson Tide narrowly beat out Baylor, thanks to their slightly better performance on the road and an edge in predictive metrics. Iowa State, known for its strong defense and eight wins in the first two quadrants, secured the No. 11 spot on the overall seed list. Duke rounded out the three line, surpassing Auburn due to its higher number of wins and winning percentage in quadrant one games.
Auburn, despite being a No. 4 seed, is considered a dangerous team based on various metrics. The Tigers rank among the top 10 nationally in offensive and defensive efficiency, as well as predictive models. San Diego State, last year’s national runner-up, continues to excel in defensive efficiency despite a challenging non-conference schedule. Illinois also secured a spot on the four line, boasting a solid resume and predictive metrics without any significant losses. Wisconsin, with a 6-5 record in quadrant one games, edged out teams like Creighton, Dayton, and Clemson for the final spot on the fourth line.
The committee used its principles and procedures to place the 16 teams into four regions: Midwest (Detroit), East (Boston), West (Los Angeles), and South (Dallas).
The tournament will kick off with the Men’s First Four on March 19-20 in Dayton. First- and second-round games will take place in various cities, including Charlotte, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Brooklyn, Indianapolis, Memphis, and Spokane. Regional action will occur in Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Detroit. The 85th Men’s Final Four will be held in Phoenix on April 6 and 8.
As Selection Sunday approaches on March 17, college basketball fans are eagerly anticipating the excitement and unpredictability of March Madness. The committee is equally thrilled and ready for what promises to be a wild ride in the coming weeks.