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UCLA Basketball: Analysis and Reaction to the Bracket Preview

By Mike Regalado

Dec 28, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3), center Thomas Welsh (40), forward TJ Leaf (22) and forward Ike Anigbogu (13) look at a replay at the end of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3), center Thomas Welsh (40), forward TJ Leaf (22) and forward Ike Anigbogu (13) look at a replay at the end of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) and forward TJ Leaf (22) help up guard Lonzo Ball (2) against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) and forward TJ Leaf (22) help up guard Lonzo Ball (2) against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The first ever NCAA Tournament Bracket Preview has the UCLA Basketball team as a #4 seed in the East Region. We break this down and give you fan reaction.

The NCAA thought it would be a good idea to bring some excitement to the men’s basketball tournament a little earlier by releasing their Bracket Preview before Selection Sunday and the UCLA Basketball (23-3, 10-3) team came in overall at #15, good enough for a #4 seeding in the East.

First off, try not to take these rankings seriously. Just like the College Football Playoff rankings, they are here to give us a week-by-week glimpse of what we could possibly see in the post-season.

Secondly, what was the NCAA thinking? (Warning: venting ahead!)

Next: Warning: UCLA Is On Fire, Beware Pac-12!

From a UCLA perspective, the Bruins got hosed. Let us first consider the fact that the Bruins are #10 in the latest AP Poll and will most likely move up after a huge win over #5 Oregon which was followed up by the destruction of Oregon State.

With this in mind, what was the NCAA’s reasoning for seeding UCLA so low? Still, this is not final, it is just annoying.

But it continues. Oregon, who gave up a 19-point lead in a loss to UCLA is the overall 8th seed and a #2 in the West Region. Pac-12 leader, Arizona, is 9th overall and 3rd in the Midwest.

What exactly was the committee looking at when seeding the teams of the Pac-12? I understand it is hard to gauge which is the best team out west, but it seems as if they are going off head-to-head match ups rather than the current trajectory of each team.

Had enough? There is more.

North Carolina, Florida State, Louisville, Virginia, Florida, Kentucky, Butler and West Virginia all have more loses than UCLA and are seeded higher. North Carolina and Louisville are the only two teams ranked ahead of the Bruins in the AP Top 25.

And as for Kentucky, the team UCLA beat in Lexington at Rupp Arena, 97-92, the most points given up by a John Calipari UK team, snapping a 42-game home win streak, is somehow ranked above the Bruins.

The Wildcats are overall 12th and the 2nd seed in the same bracket as UCLA. Interesting. You know, seeing that UCLA beat Kentucky in Lexington at Rupp Arena, 97-92, the most points given up by a John Calipari UK team, snapping a 42-game home win streak.

But as I stated before, this is not set in stone. UCLA still has to take care of business in the last five games of the regular season with the Pac-12 title on the line. These seedings are more conversation starters than anything, but they are fun, albeit slightly annoying.