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Mike Marteny takes a look at some seedings that feel off in the 2023 NCAA Tournament bracket reveal. Will this result in some upsets during the first week?
The field of 68 is finally set for the chaos of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. There is going to be a lot of madness this year since many of these teams feel really close together this season.
So, which teams got a seed that perhaps they didn't deserve, for better or for worse? We will take a look at one overseeded and underseeded team from each region and what it might mean for the bracket.
In this article, I will be providing you with my seeds for the tournament that for one reason or another don't sit right. Be sure to also check out the rest of our NCAA Tournament articles and analysis including previews, predictions, sleepers, busts, and guides on how to fill out your brackets. Good luck RotoBallers!
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West Region Tournament Controversial Seeds
Overseeded - (5) St. Mary's
The Gaels had their chances for some big-time wins this year. They played Houston, New Mexico, Washington, and San Diego State out of conference this year. They did beat Gonzaga at home in overtime and knocked off San Diego State, but they lost in overtime to a Washington team that collapsed. Same with a tough loss to New Mexico. The Gaels did hang with Houston, but they lost to Gonzaga twice, including a devastating 26-point loss in the WCC final.
Couple that with a head-scratching loss to Loyola Marymount and a home loss to Colorado State in December, and I don't feel like the Gaels did enough to make the five-line. They feel more like a six or seven seed to me. This is a big reason why VCU is an early favorite for the 12 to knock off a five this year.
Underseeded - (4) UConn
Not only is UConn a touch underseeded, but they get another team that perhaps should have gotten a 12 seed in Iona. That team coached by Rick Pitino that has won a baker's dozen in a row.
UConn didn't lose until conference play, knocking off number one overall seed Alabama by 15 points! They also beat Oregon, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Florida before they lost Colin Castleton. Making the Big East tournament final should have been enough to keep UConn on the three-line. The only "bad" loss on their docket was a home loss to St. John's back in January. That's still not that bad.
South Region Tournament Controversial Seeds
Overseeded - (3) Baylor
The selection committee loves to preach about the "last 10" games before the tournament. If that's the case, how in the world is Baylor still a three-seed? The Bears stumbled to a 2-4 finish after blowing a huge halftime lead at the Phog back on February 18. They did beat Texas in that span, but going 0-for-Kansas in the same week and closing the season with back-to-back losses to Iowa State isn't a good look.
I'm not saying that Baylor is a bad team. After all, they did beat Gonzaga and UCLA, three and two seeds, respectively, back in November and early December. However, if how you close the season matters, Baylor should have been a four-seed at best.
Underseeded - (7) Missouri
The only non-tournament team that Missouri lost to this season was Florida, but they lost to them when Castleton was still healthy. One could argue that Florida is a tournament team with Castleton and I would agree.
This is a team that beat Illinois and Kentucky early in the season and waxed Iowa State in Columbia during the SEC-Big 12(10) Challenge. Not only that, but Missouri knocked off Tennessee twice this year. As it sits now, Missouri is a really dangerous seven-seed.
East Region Tournament Controversial Seeds
Overseeded - (4) Tennessee
I know. Most people would say Marquette, but most people would be wrong. The Golden Eagles won the Big East regular season and conference tournament titles. Considering that the Big East is ranked higher than the Pac-12 and ACC this year, Marquette is where they belong.
As far as the Vols, I don't have an issue with them here, but the Vols finished 4-6 in the last 10. That is mostly due to the loss of Zakai Zeigler, which is obviously out of their control. However, if the committee is using a key injury to keep Rutgers out (which they are, by the way), then it should apply to Tennessee, too. The Vols are still a good team, but how you finish the season is supposed to matter.
Underseeded - (5) Duke
It pains me to say this, but it's true. Duke hasn't lost since an overtime thriller in Charlottesville back on February 11. They closed the season with an ACC tournament trophy, winning nine in a row. They didn't lose a game at Cameron this year and the only non-conference losses were to Kansas and Purdue, both of whom are number-one seeds.
Maybe wins over Iowa and Ohio State don't ring as loud out of conference, but a nine-game winning streak with wins over Miami and Virginia teams that both beat them in February should have been enough to give them Tennessee's four seed. Sorry, Rick.
I really wanted to put Memphis here, but I do feel like Duke not only got underseeded, but they draw a really tough matchup in Oral Roberts.
Midwest Region Tournament Controversial Seeds
Overseeded - (6) Iowa State
Yes, the Big 12(10) was an absolute bear this year. Last-place team Oklahoma blew out number one overall seed Alabama, after all. Does that excuse the Cyclones from losing seven of their last 10 games? Does it excuse them from losing to bottom-feeder Oklahoma at home?
The Cyclones went 6-11 in their last 17 games. They got a worse seed than the Missouri team that handled them back in January. I'm all for rewarding teams for playing a tough schedule, but the same considerations didn't appear to apply to Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. It feels like the Cyclones are getting far too much credit for beating then-number-one North Carolina back in November.
Underseeded - (7) Texas A&M
The Aggies finished second in the SEC during the regular season and in the conference tournament. That should count for more than a seven-seed. A&M finished 19-4 after an inexplicable loss to Wofford on December 20.
They don't have the sexy non-conference win and they lost to mid-majors Wofford and Murray State, but how they finished the season feels a touch more important to me.
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