March Madness is in full swing, and fans are on the edge of their seats as the NCAA basketball tournament unfolds. One trend that has emerged in the early rounds is the dominance of higher-seeded teams, with only five double-digit seeds advancing over the past two days. This ties the fewest number of double-digit seeds to advance in the tournament since 2017.
The NCAA tournament is known for its unpredictability and upsets, with lower-seeded teams often pulling off surprising victories over higher-ranked opponents. However, this year has seen a different story unfold, with the top seeds largely asserting their dominance in the early rounds.
According to NCAA statistics, the average number of double-digit seeds to advance in the tournament over the past decade is around 10. This year’s lower-than-average number of double-digit seed upsets may indicate a shift in the balance of power in college basketball.
One possible explanation for the lack of upsets in this year’s tournament is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college basketball. The pandemic disrupted schedules, limited practice time, and forced teams to navigate a challenging and unpredictable season. As a result, higher-seeded teams may have had more opportunities to develop chemistry and cohesion, giving them an edge over lower-seeded opponents.
Another factor that may have contributed to the dominance of higher-seeded teams is the increased parity in college basketball. In recent years, there has been a trend towards greater parity among teams, with more schools investing in their basketball programs and recruiting top talent. This has led to a more competitive landscape where upsets are less common, particularly in the early rounds of the NCAA tournament.
Despite the lack of upsets in the early rounds, March Madness is known for its ability to deliver thrilling moments and unexpected outcomes. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect to see more intense matchups and dramatic finishes as teams battle for a spot in the Final Four.
One recent example of a double-digit seed making a deep run in the tournament is the Loyola Ramblers in 2018. As an 11th seed, Loyola captured the hearts of fans with their Cinderella story, advancing all the way to the Final Four before ultimately falling to Michigan. The Ramblers’ run demonstrated the magic of March Madness and the potential for underdog teams to defy the odds and make a deep tournament run.
As the NCAA tournament continues, fans can look forward to more exciting games, buzzer-beaters, and upsets as teams compete for a chance to cut down the nets and be crowned national champions. While the dominance of higher-seeded teams in the early rounds may be a departure from the norm, March Madness is always full of surprises, and anything can happen on the road to the Final Four.
In conclusion, the limited number of double-digit seeds advancing in the early rounds of this year’s NCAA tournament is a departure from recent trends. Factors such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased parity in college basketball may have contributed to the dominance of higher-seeded teams. However, March Madness is known for its unpredictability, and fans can expect more excitement and drama as the tournament progresses. Stay tuned as the madness unfolds and the quest for a national championship reaches its thrilling conclusion.