The field of 68 is set. The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Committee revealed the brackets Sunday evening, with Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, and Baylor earning the overall No. 1 seeds. The Big Ten Conference led all conferences with nine bids into the NCAA Tournament. The next highest was six, by the Big 12, the Big East, and the SEC. Meanwhile, the usual powerhouse ACC only earned five bids into this year's tournament. Before we let March Madness ensue, let's take a look at some of the biggest surprises that came from the release of the brackets.
Michigan earns a No. 11 seed
There were a lot of people who thought the Michigan Wolverines did not belong in the NCAA Tournament this year. After all, they finished a mere 17-14 in the regular season and went only 11-9 in conference play. They also struggled mightily down the stretch, alternating wins and losses over their final 10 games. That's a criteria that normally carries some weight with it.
It's not shocking that they made the tournament. But the fact that they earned a No. 11 seed is what many people were surprised by. They were not even on the list of ‘Last Four In.' Even ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi had them on that line, as one of the last teams to make the NCAA Tournament.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 13, 2022
Yet, when the brackets were released, the final four schools to earn a trip to the dance were Indiana, Rutgers, Notre Dame, and Wyoming. Indiana had literally just beaten Michigan a couple of days prior and is playing significantly better down the stretch.
The Wolverines might have been living off their reputation to earn the spot they got. To be completely fair though, their level of competition was extremely high, especially in non-conference. That might have been their saving grace.
No. 3 seed Tennessee Volunteers got the shaft
After winning the SEC Tournament Sunday morning, most people were wondering if Tennessee had done enough to earn a spot on the top line as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Not only did they not get a top seed, but they also fell to the No. 3 seed line.
Because of that, Rick Barnes and the Volunteers are likely looking at a very difficult matchup against Jay Wright and his Villanova Wildcats in the Sweet 16.
Generally, the committee looks at who you beat and when you beat them. Also, did you win your conference tournament? Well, Tennessee checks all of those boxes. They beat No. 2 seeds Kentucky and Auburn down the stretch, as well as No. 4 seed Arkansas. The Volunteers won 12 of their final 13 games and clinched their first SEC Tournament victory in 43 years Sunday.
If that's not enough to earn a top 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, I don't know what is. I'm not alone. Even Kentucky fans agree.
Gonzaga earns a clear, clean path to the Final Four
No one is going to debate that Gonzaga is not one of the best teams in the country. They clearly are. They also certainly deserved a No. 1 seed, and arguably the overall top seed, which they received.
But wow, their path to the Final Four is by far the easiest among the top line seeds.
In recent years, the 8-9 winners have given No. 1 seeds problems. Heck, even a No. 1 seed finally lost to the No. 16 seed a few years ago when Virginia did it. But Gonzaga's 8-9 matchup beneath sees Boise State and Memphis. Both schools have decent squads, but neither of which stand much of a chance against Gonzaga. Normally you might see one mid-major in the 8-9 matchup, but not two schools
In the Sweet 16, the highest seed they can face is No. 4 Arkansas. The Razorbacks finished fourth in the SEC, and are coming off a humiliating loss to Texas A & M in their most recent game. Arkansas' non-conference schedule left a lot to be desired, making me question how good this team truly is. They have some really good wins, including against Kentucky and Tennessee. But they also have some pretty bad losses including Hofstra.
In the Elite Eight, Gonzaga could square off against Duke. That would obviously be a very stiff test. But this Duke team has begun to show its youth down the stretch. I do not believe the Blue Devils are going to make it this far. They might not even make it out of the first weekend, as Coach K's career might very well end against Coach Izzo and Michigan State in the second round.
Again, Gonzaga is deserving of a No. 1 seed, but this is one of the lightest paths I have ever seen in almost 30 years covering this tournament.
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