From the opening tip in the first week of November, this is the day we look forward to. Selection Sunday has arrived. By this evening, the time for talking about metrics, quad 1 wins, and resumes will be over. It will be time to focus on the matchups ahead. Before that, there will be five final bids handed out, and the results of which could have seeding implications. Champ Week is over, and now it is time to crown a champion.
As tickets were being crowned over the last 10 days, teams on the bubble tried to find some solid footing to show they deserve to be in the field. Before the bracket is revealed, here is one final look at how I see the field and who did enough (or at least more than others) to squeak into the Big Dance.
East Region (Washington, D.C.)
Greenville
1.) Duke vs. 16.) Long Island
8.) TCU vs. 9.) Ohio State
Portland
5.) Wisconsin vs. 12.) Northern Iowa
4.) Kansas vs. 13.) Cal Baptist
St. Louis
6.) North Carolina vs. 11.) VCU
3.) Illinois vs. 14.) North Dakota State
Philadelphia
7.) Miami vs. 10.) Texas A&M
2.) UConn vs. 15.) Furman
Midwest Region (Chicago)
Buffalo
1.) Michigan vs. 16.) Siena
8.) Georgia vs. 9.) Villanova
Philadelphia
5.) Arkansas vs. 12.) Akron
4.) Virginia vs. 13.) Hofstra
Oklahoma City
6.) Louisville vs. 11.) South Florida
3.) Nebraska vs. 14.) Wright State
St. Louis
7.) Saint Mary's vs.10.) Missouri
2.) Iowa State vs.15.) Kennesaw State
West Region (San Jose)
San Diego
1.) Arizona vs. 16.) Lehigh/Prairie View A&M
8.) Utah State vs. 9.) Iowa
Tampa
5.) St. John's vs. 12.) McNeese State
4.) Vanderbilt vs. 13.) High Point
Portland
6.) BYU vs.11.) NC State/Texas
3.) Gonzaga vs. 14.) Idaho
Oklahoma City
7.) UCLA vs. 10.) Saint Louis
2.) Houston vs. 15.) Tennessee State
South Region (Houston)
Tampa
1.) Florida vs. 16.) UMBC/Howard
8.) Clemson vs. 9.)UCF
San Diego
5.) Texas Tech vs. 12.) Yale
4.) Alabama vs. 13.) Hawaii
Greenville
6.) Tennessee vs. 11.) Miami (OH)/SMU
3.) Purdue vs. 14.) Troy
Buffalo
7.) Kentucky vs. 10.) Santa Clara
2.) Michigan State vs. 15.) Queens
The Bubble
Last four in
NC State
Miami (OH)
Texas
SMU
First four out
Auburn
San Diego State
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Next four out
Indiana
Seton Hall
Virginia Tech
Cincinnati