The brackets are out and Joe Lunardi can rest for another year as March Madness is upon us. Looking at the bracket for the first time their are some match ups that jump off the page and some head scratching decisions by the selection committee. Looking at the winners and losers of the reveal.
Bonus: Guide to March Madness brackets
Winners:
Virginia: After knocking off Duke in the ACC Title game, Virginia earned itself a No. 1 seed in the big dance. Virginia is the one seed in East Division in New York City and will open up against Coastal Carolina and the winner of Memphis and George Washington. Virginia is a stron team that could make some noise in the Sweet 16 and being from the ACC they are battle tested. A matchup with Michigan State seems inevitable in the Sweet 16.
The State of Nebraska: The Cornhuskers and Blue Jays are going dancing for the first time together since 1991 as an eleven seed and three seed, respectfully. The state of Nebraska might break if both Nebraska and Creighton win their first round match ups and end up playing each other for a Sweet 16 birth. This is a huge accomplishment for Nebraska basketball and with favorable match ups against Baylor and Louisiana Lafayette the battle for Omaha could happen.
Kentucky: Kentucky has been a disappointment for most of the season, but with a late season surge, John Calipari has his Wildcats in prime position to be a Cinderella. As an eight seed the Wildcats will open up against Kansas State, but with one victory they have the chance to hand Wichita State it’s first lost of the season. Kentucky can turn a disappointing season into one for the ages in two wins.
Losers:
Louisville: The defending champion Cardinals tumbled down the seeding and ended up as a four seed in the Midwest Division in Indianapolis. Louisville was projected one seed at best and a three seed at it’s worst, but the selection committee slammed the door on that and gave them a four. Good news is that Louisville would play a weaker five seed in Saint Louis if they both avoid upset, but again the Cardinals are hurt because they play Manhattan. Manhattan is seen by many as a possible Cinderella and could spoil the defending champs March.
Wichita State: The mighty Shockers got their one seed, but it is in this year's division of death in the Midwest. The Shockers are joined by defending champion Louisville as a four seed, Duke as a three seed and Michigan as the top two seed in the tournament. Wichita will be tested early and often right off the bat with Kentucky and will have the chance to prove their incredible undefeated season was no fluke.
SMU: Larry Brown's Mustangs will not be dancing this year and will be in the NIT. SMU was on everyone’s “Last Four In” list and seemed to be a lock, but the Mustangs were not selected and North Carolina State is in. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi went 67 for 68 on his tournament predictions and the only team he missed was the 25th ranked Mustangs. This situation has to sting for Larry Brown and his boys down in Texas.
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