The 2023 men’s NCAA tournament has kicked off, with the First Four games showcasing unexpected upsets and surprises. The selection committee faced criticism for some of its decisions, including snubbing West Virginia over North Carolina despite a weaker Quadrant 1 record.
North Carolina earned an at-large spot despite struggling in Quadrant 1 games, while West Virginia was overlooked. Similarly, Michigan was seeded as a No. 5 seed after beating Wisconsin, which received a No. 3 seed despite having comparable résumés.
The biggest controversy surrounds the selection of South Carolina, who were snubbed for the No. 1 overall seed in favor of UCLA. The Bruins earned the top seed due to their dominant performance throughout the season, including a 30-2 record and a Big Ten tournament title win.
UCLA’s credentials include a 23-game win streak at the start of the year and beating South Carolina by 15 points in November. However, the committee’s decision was questioned, as South Carolina had previously suffered a 29-point loss to UConn.
Other teams, such as Florida, won their way into the tournament with impressive performances, including a 12-game winning streak and a 30-4 record. The Gators will face off against Ole Miss in the next round.
As the tournament progresses, fans and analysts will continue to debate the selection committee’s decisions. With several upsets already occurring, it’s clear that this year’s NCAA tournament is shaping up to be an exciting one.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/live/2025-march-madness-updates-ncaa-tournament-bracket-news-selection-sunday-analysis-snubs-first-round-times-first-four-buzzer-beater-120018712.html