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.
The full #BracketPreview!
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 11, 2017
Is it a glimpse at this year’s Sweet 16?? pic.twitter.com/TElTZy98WG
Here is what Bruin fans said on Twitter in reaction to UCLA Basketball’s placement in the NCAA Tournament Bracket Preview.
We should be 3 seed ahead of Kentucky
— Todd Christiansen (@coachtodd2000) February 11, 2017
UCLA should definitely be a No. 3 seed.
— Josh Rowley (@joshmrowley) February 11, 2017
what a joke! @uclambb needs to win #Pac12 tourney to get a fair seed. @KentuckyMBB & #SEC are overrated
— David Hamilton 🟧 #BruinGrad #HokieDad #VCURam (@DavePhDone) February 11, 2017
horrible. Media again gives no love to west coast basketball. Kentucky a 3? Get out of here
— kevin stevenson (@sexykevypoo) February 11, 2017
for now yes. Should be a 4 seed. They are 2-3 against top teams. Still plenty of time to move up though
— Mark Roberts (@mjbruin16) February 11, 2017
all UCLA has to do is win it's tournament and it will be a one or two seed
— Richard (@UCLA1972) February 11, 2017
it is pure speculation no need to get all worked up about speculation...ESPN GameDay had UCLA #3 in the West
— Dave Osuna (@DaveOsuna) February 11, 2017
And what about Oregon as a 2, we split with them, have a better record and a road win at Kentucky???
— Steve Klinenberg (@sbk2010) February 11, 2017
Committee was more concerned with spreading out conferences than properly seeding teams
— Nick Ranieri (@nranieri) February 11, 2017
@GoJoeBruinUCLA @UCLAMBB It's a tough starting point, but the committee (like ESPN) can't get past our KenPomm defensive #'s
— Sean Gilmore (@luvcheezits) February 12, 2017
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
So what do you think about the seedings or the Bracket Preview as a whole? Comment below to let us know where you think UCLA should be seeded.