Questions facing the NCAA Tournament selection committee ... and the answers
The NCAA Tournament selection committee has been working on identifying the 36 most deserving at-large teams for the 68-team field. As champions are crowed in conference tournaments, the bracket will come together and be announced at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Here are some of the questions the committee has been considering for the past few days ... and a best shot at answering them.
Who are the No. 1 seeds and in what order?
Kansas, Alabama, Houston and Purdue, with strong consideration for UCLA. The Jayhawks’ big loss to Texas in the Big 12 championship game final could have knocked them from becoming the overall No. 1 seed.
The Jayhawks own a 17-7 record against the best competition, or Quad 1 games. That leads the nation. Second with a 14-8 record is Texas. The Longhorns, who won 76-56 at T-Mobile Center, should be a solid No. 2 seed.
If Kansas is seeded behind Houston, the Cougars could be the top seed in the Midwest Region and have a path that takes them through Kansas City.
How many teams are selected from the Big 12 and what are their seeds?
Seven, matching a high water mark for the conference: Kansas (1), Texas (2), Baylor (3), Kansas State (3), TCU (5), Iowa State (6) and West Virginia (9). Oklahoma State misses the field despite having six Quad 1 victories, which ties for 18th through Friday.
The conference that has produced the last two NCAA champs is in prime position to make another statement ... or be a colossal disappointment.
Kansas should start in Des Moines, Iowa. Texas in Denver. After that, it’s anyone’s guess.
How about Missouri?
Could be on the six or seven line. Let’s make the Tigers a No. 6 seed, which could align them in the first round against a team that played an opening round game in Dayton.
Speaking of Dayton, who are the last four teams to make the field and open the tournament on Tuesday?
Giving new meaning to the term “final four,” are Mississippi State, Pitt, Rutgers and Nevada.
Who just misses making the field?
A best guess ... the last four teams to be omitted are Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Clemson and Vanderbilt.
What’s the toughest call among at-large teams?
Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have more Quad 1 victories than teams that will be seeded as high as No. 4, and they could have the highest NET ranking among teams that could be left out. With an 18-15 record, Oklahoma State would match the most losses for an at-large team if it makes the field.
Not a committee question, but will North Carolina, the nation’s preseason No. 1 team and last year’s runner-up, accept an NIT bid?
No.
This story was originally published March 11, 2023 at 4:24 PM.