March Madness 2024: Brackets, Seeds & Top Teams to Watch | NPR

March Madness is officially upon us. Today is Selection Sunday, the day the brackets for both the men’s and women’s NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments are revealed, setting the stage for a month of thrilling competition. While many focus on the potential for upsets and perfectly predicted brackets, the day itself marks the culmination of a season of play and a careful evaluation process by selection committees.

Duke University’s men’s basketball team, currently boasting a 32-2 record and fresh off their victory in the ACC Tournament championship game against Virginia (74-70), is widely expected to be awarded the top overall seed in the men’s tournament. ESPN reports on this outcome. On the women’s side, the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies are entering the NCAA tournament with an undefeated record, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2018.

The men’s tournament selection show is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET on CBS, with the women’s bracket being unveiled immediately afterward at 8 p.m. On ESPN.

The Men’s Tournament Landscape

Duke’s strong performance, even with injuries to key players like guard Caleb Foster and center Patrick Ngongba, positions them favorably for the top seed. Their ambition is clear: to secure their 19th Final Four appearance in program history. Though, several other teams are also vying for a No. 1 seed.

Arizona, also with a 32-2 record, and Michigan, who entered Sunday’s Big Ten title game against Purdue with a 31-2 record, are considered strong contenders. The final top seed remains a point of debate, with Houston, UConn, and defending national champions Florida all in the conversation.

One particularly interesting case is that of Miami (OH). The RedHawks have an impressive 31-1 record, with their only loss occurring in the quarterfinals of their conference tournament. While a one-loss team has never been excluded from the tournament, Miami (OH) has played a relatively easy schedule, lacking wins against ranked opponents or major conference teams. Statistician Ken Pomeroy currently ranks them at No. 93, a historically low ranking for an at-large bid. This raises questions about their potential seeding and whether the committee will prioritize their record or the strength of their schedule.

A Talented Freshman Class

This year’s tournament will also showcase an unusually talented group of freshmen players. Forwards AJ Dybantsa of BYU and Cameron Boozer of Duke (son of NBA star Carlos Boozer), along with guard Darryn Peterson of Kansas, are projected to be top picks in this summer’s NBA draft. Their performance on the national stage will be closely watched as they begin their collegiate careers.

Kansas and BYU, while boasting these promising freshmen, are likely to be seeded in the 4- to 6-seed range, indicating they are considered strong contenders but not quite at the level of the top seeds.

The Women’s Tournament: UConn’s Return to Dominance

The UConn Huskies, after a period where their dominance in women’s college basketball seemed to wane, have reclaimed their position as a top contender. Following four consecutive titles from 2013 to 2016, UConn won the championship last year, led by point guard Paige Bueckers.

Now, with forward Sarah Strong and guard Azzi Fudd leading the charge, the Huskies are 34-0 and are strong favorites to repeat. This marks their 11th undefeated regular season in school history. UCLA, with a 31-1 record, also has a strong claim to the top seed, despite a November loss to Texas. Their star center, Lauren Betts, hasn’t quite matched her previous performance, but the Bruins have consistently dominated their opponents, winning all but two games by double digits, including a resounding 51-point victory over Iowa in the Big Ten title game.

Contenders for the Women’s Title

Rounding out the potential top seeds are South Carolina, the last team to complete an undefeated season two years ago, and Texas, who have consistently been a strong program but haven’t won a title since 1986.

Historically, the women’s tournament has seen fewer upsets than the men’s tournament. The lowest seed to ever win a title was No. 3, achieved by Louisiana State University in 2023, when they defeated Iowa led by Caitlin Clark.

What to Expect in the Selection Process

The selection committees for both the men’s and women’s tournaments face a complex task. They must balance team records, strength of schedule, conference championships, and various statistical metrics to determine the 68 teams that will participate in the tournament. The committees also consider factors such as injuries and recent performance when making their decisions. NPR details the intricacies of this process.

The committees aim to create a bracket that is both competitive and fair, providing opportunities for teams from all conferences to showcase their talent. The unveiling of the brackets on Selection Sunday is a highly anticipated event for fans, coaches, and players alike, marking the official start of March Madness.

As the brackets are revealed, analysts and fans will begin to dissect the matchups, predict upsets, and fill out their own brackets. The tournament promises a month of exciting basketball action, with the ultimate goal of reaching the Final Four and competing for the national championship.