The NCAA men's basketball tournament bracket was unveiled on Selection Sunday, with the Auburn Tigers capturing the No. 1 overall seed. The Tigers secured their top spot with an impressive regular season, which included three victories against top-five opponents. Meanwhile, Duke's Blue Devils faced challenges in the ACC Tournament, playing their final two games without their star forward, Cooper Flagg. Flagg sustained a left ankle injury during the conference tourney, but head coach Jon Scheyer expressed optimism, stating that Flagg is "trending in a great way" to be ready for the first round.
In other developments, the SEC will have a strong presence in the tournament, with 14 of its 16 teams making it to the 68-team field. Among these teams are the Missouri Tigers, who made a remarkable comeback by securing a spot in the tournament just one year after going winless in conference play. The full bracket was eagerly awaited and was finally revealed on Selection Sunday.
The tournament selection process also saw intriguing moments behind the scenes. Bubba Cunningham, the athletic director of Duke and chairman of the selection committee, recused himself from discussions regarding North Carolina's inclusion in the tournament. The Tar Heels found themselves on the bubble but ultimately earned an opportunity to compete for the 11th seed in the South region. They were among the last four teams to secure a spot, along with the Musketeers, Aztecs, and Longhorns.
This year's men's Final Four is scheduled to take place in San Antonio, with the national semifinals set for April 5 and the championship game on April 7. Basketball fans are eagerly anticipating these events as the tournament promises thrilling matchups and potential surprises.