The “March Madness” goes up a gear. After the conference tournaments, the NCAA selection committee announced on Sunday the full picture of the national tournament which will decide the university champion of the season. Auburn, Duke, Houston And Florida were retained as the first series heads of the four parts of the “Bracket”. The Auburn Tigers inherited the number one seeded from the whole tournament despite a more difficult end of the season with three defeats in their last four games.
This recognition is more honorary that it really has sporting consequences. But she recalls that the racing at the coronation will be open this season, despite the great shape of the duke of Cooper Flagg.
The Blue Devils managed to win the ACC tournament despite the injury of their young star, who hopes to be given time for the first round on Friday.
Duke must wait to know his opponent, who will be decided during one of the decisive games of the “First Four” on Wednesday, between American and Mount St Mary's. In its route to the Final Four, Duke will mainly be wary of Alabama, seeded number 2 in the East region after reaching the last square last season.
Possible shock Florida – Connecticut in the second round
In the other quarters of the table, Houston Will be the favorite of the Midwest region after a new high -flying season, the fourth consecutive with at least 30 victories, the second longer series in the history of the equal NCAA. Winners of the Big 12 tournament and undefeated against the teams of their conference, the Kelvin Sampson cougars will thus be among the main contenders for the final victory. Their first round against Siu Edwardsville should on paper be a formality.
The journey of Floridafirst seeded in the West part, could be more complicated. After their first round against Norfalk State, the Gators (30-4) could find the double holder of the Title Connecticut in the second round. Authors of a very average season (23 wins and 10 losses), the Huskies are only seeded number 8, and will first have to rule out Oklahoma in the first round. Florida will want to surf her dynamics after winning her first title of the dry conference for eleven years. The sec will also be very well represented with no less than 14 teams selected, unheard of in the whole history of March Madness!
Among the surprises of this “Select Sunday”, North Carolina (22-13) and even more Texas (19-15) can consider itself happy to have been selected after exercises without relief. The Tar Heels and Longhorns will however have to get out of the “First Four” to obtain the seeded #11, respectively against San Diego State and Xavier.
Stanford and Maxime Raynaud not selected
No good news on the other hand for Stanford and the French Maxime Raynaud, who were not recovered. The tricolor pivot does not yet say goodbye to the NCAA, since he will participate in the nit with the cardinal, the tournament parallel to the “March Madness” for the teams absent from the main draw.
Seed number 2 of his quarter table, Stanford could meet the University of St Bonaventure in the second round, including the former ESPN Insider Star Adrian Wojnarowski became the GM last summer.
