The 2023 men’s NCAA tournament has been marked by its predictable nature, with top seeds dominating the competition and leaving fans underwhelmed. This year’s Final Four features all No. 1 seeds, raising concerns about the lack of upsets and excitement.
Experts say that the dominance of top seeds is partly due to the increasing influence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal. These changes have created a level playing field, but also led to a homogenization of teams, making it difficult for Cinderella stories to emerge.
Despite this, some fans remain hopeful that this year’s Final Four will be different. They point out that an all-top-seed lineup presents an opportunity for high-quality basketball and showcases the best that college hoops has to offer.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/31/final-four-no-1-seeds