After an unforgettable NCAA tournament, the 2021-22 season brings back the March Madness fans know and love. The traditional selection process, events in multiple cities, and the return of fans, bands, and cheerleaders are all expected to make a comeback in March.
Bracket Watch
Top Overall Seed - Gonzaga
First Team Out - SMU
Last Team In - San Diego St.
The biggest takeaway from the NCAA bracket reveal is a familiar one: head-to-head results don’t carry much weight. Kentucky dominates Kansas at the Phog, but the Jayhawks land a 1-seed while the Wildcats sit two spots lower on the seed list. Duke beats Kentucky on neutral ground, yet the UK ranks two spots ahead of the Blue Devils. Texas Tech sweeps Baylor in both matchups, but the Bears are a 2-seed, and the Red Raiders end up as a 3-seed. There’s still plenty of time before Selection Sunday, but this serves as a reminder that even clear single-game outcomes often don’t influence the committee’s decisions.
On the Bubble
Last Four Byes
Miami
North Carolina
Creighton
San Francisco
Last Four In
Michigan
Indiana
Memphis
San Diego St.
First Four Out
SMU
BYU
Oklahoma
Dayton
Next Four Out
Florida
Kansas St.
Oregon
St. Bonaventure
Women's NCAA Tournament Bracketology
The 2022 women’s NCAA tournament is quite different from the 2021 one. Fans are set to return, and the first and second rounds will once again have host cities, along with four separate regional sites. The biggest change is the expansion from a 64-team field to 68 teams. Another adjustment is that the women’s bracket selection will take place a day earlier, on Selection Sunday.
Bracket Watch
Top Overall Seed - South Carolina
Last Team In - Oregon State
First Team Out - Boston College
Iowa’s two wins over Indiana in three days have created a tight race at the top of the Big Ten standings. With just a week left in the regular season, five teams – Michigan, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, and Iowa – are all in contention for the conference title. Along with Nebraska, these teams give the Big Ten six representatives in the NCAA tournament, with none seeded lower than No. 7. The games this week will not only decide the Big Ten’s regular-season champion and double byes in the conference tournament but also shape the top 16 seeds. The loser of Friday’s Indiana-Maryland matchup will likely drop out. Iowa, hosting Michigan on Sunday, could secure first- and second-round NCAA tournament games at home with a win and a strong showing in the Big Ten tournament. While the conference may be top-heavy, the teams at the top have performed at a high level.
