The tournament field is set. The brackets are in hand. The predictions have begun.
But that doesn't mean there wasn't a little controversy on the way there. Here's how our ESPN team of writers and analysts reacted in real time to some of the biggest surprises, snubs and seeding controversies of Selection Sunday.
UCLA Makes The Field?!
The Bruins' inclusion was a shocker for most, including Joe Lunardi, who didn't even have UCLA as one of his first six teams out. The reaction was quick and our experts didn't mince words.
Selection Committee just gave UCLA a slot for trying hard. Hand them a blue ribbon, too.
- Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 15, 2015
UCLA... I'm just so confused.
- Dana O'Neil (@ESPNDanaOneil) March 15, 2015
Apparently all that matters is that you play a tough nonconference schedule, even if you score 7 points in a first half
- Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) March 15, 2015
UCLA as an 11, no play-in game? OK, selection committee. All about resumes. Not names or popularity or anything. Got it.
- Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 15, 2015
Scott Barnes: "We felt UCLA was gaining steam." They beat Washington, Washington State, and USC twice. Convincing run.
- Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 15, 2015
"@j_broady5: @ESPNLunardi what do you think about UCLA getting in?" First thoughts: I missed on Indiana; they missed on UCLA.
- Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 15, 2015
Sorry guys, not this time
What about the teams that were left out? Temple and Colorado State garnered some sympathy and ESPN analyst Mark Adams did not agree with the omission of Murray State, which once had a 25-game win streak.
Difficult deal for CSU but the committee made the right move. CSU had 16 wins vs sub 150 rpi teams. @ESPNCBB
- Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) March 15, 2015
So the committee really put UCLA's resume, Temple's resume and Colorado State's resume side-by-side-by-side and chose UCLA? Hahaha. OK.
- Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 15, 2015
So where do I start? UCLA, Indiana, Texas, Dayton 11 Seed, Wichita State 7 seed, UNI 5 Seed, Ole Miss, I can keep going. Murray St ignored
- Mark Adams (@EnthusiAdams) March 15, 2015
This committee is the worst example of brand bias in the history of the tournament.
- Mark Adams (@EnthusiAdams) March 15, 2015
You can stop sweating now
These teams and their fans were nervous heading into Selection Sunday, but they took a deep exhale during the bracket reveal.
BYU is a tournament team. Deserved to get in. Congrats to Dave Rose and co.
- Dave Pasch (@DavePasch) March 15, 2015
Indiana as a 10? OK, selection committee. OK.
- Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 15, 2015
Texas and Indiana are the right choices if you are picking the best teams. Strength of schedule
- Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) March 15, 2015
Seeds of controversy
As always, there was plenty of debate on how the committee seeded the field -- with Maryland alum Scott Van Pelt none too pleased about the Terrapins' 4-seed.
What a joke.
- Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) March 15, 2015
Wichita State is an egregiously strong No. 7 seed. Not very different from group that got a No. 1 a year ago.
- John Gasaway (@JohnGasaway) March 15, 2015
#5 seed? UNI. BS seed and matchup.
- Mark Adams (@EnthusiAdams) March 15, 2015
Arizona won both & is a 2. Interesting. RT @JasonRomano: Duke didn't win their regular season or conference championship and still a 1 seed.
- Dave Pasch (@DavePasch) March 15, 2015
Some questionable decisions with bubble teams, and seedings at the bottom of the bracket. But the committee did an excellent job at the top.
- Jordan Brenner (@JordanBrenner) March 15, 2015
The NCAA actually came close to following a true S-Curve at the top of the bracket. Respect.
- Jordan Brenner (@JordanBrenner) March 15, 2015
Dayton ... to Dayton?
Dayton wasn't considered a bubble team by anyone, but the committee had the Flyers as the last team in. Their consolation? They get to play at home! Tough break for Boise State.
Dayton in Dayton. That's just not cool to do to Leon Rice and Boise.
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) March 15, 2015
And I don't understand what just happened with Dayton, either.
- Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 15, 2015
Dayton seemed like a 8-9 team, 10 at worst. Committee could have easily avoided them playing at home, it seems.
- Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 15, 2015
According to the NCAA's seed list, Dayton was the LAST at-large team in the tournament. That's baffling.
- Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 15, 2015
Can anyone knock off Kentucky?
The Wildcats are the first major-conference team to enter the NCAA tournament unbeaten since 1976 Indiana. Does danger lurk for Big Blue in the Midwest region?
Of those teams, Notre Dame has the best shot of knocking off UK. Like their guards better than UK's. But Auguste is in for a long night.
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) March 15, 2015
Said it last night..I'd be intrigued to see ND get a shot at Kentucky..best 3pt shooting team they'd face until the Final 4
- Bob Wischusen (@espnbob) March 15, 2015
Know committee doesn't do sentiment, but Kentucky has Indiana, who they won't play, Wichita (buzzerbeater) and Masielo.
- Dana O'Neil (@ESPNDanaOneil) March 15, 2015
Potential matchups we'd love to see
When one is furiously filling out the bracket as its announced, it's only natural to look ahead and dream about potential games in the next few weeks.
We might see Wichita State-Kansas. ... I love March Madness.
- Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 15, 2015
Kentucky vs. Steve Masiello. Kansas vs. Wichita State. Huggins vs. Hurley in a 5-12. Some fun little possible battles in that region.
- Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 15, 2015
We need that Arizona-Wisconsin rematch in our lives.
- Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 15, 2015
Duke-Iowa State would be a heckuva Elite Eight matchup. Blue Devils' perimeter defense would be tested by Iowa State's spacing.
- Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 15, 2015
Davidson-Gonzaga. Get ready for it.
- Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 15, 2015
Other thoughts
Our writers and analysts had a few other observations about the field and the job the committee did.
I look forward to all of the Harvard-UNC cheating jokes that omit Harvard's two-year-old cheating scandal and suspensions
- Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) March 15, 2015
Five teams from Indiana in the same region. That's fun.
- Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 15, 2015
Our two best Giant Killers -- VCU and Ohio State -- are pitted against each other. Geez.
- Jordan Brenner (@JordanBrenner) March 15, 2015
South thoughts:Shocked UCLA got in; Did St John's drop with suspension? Iowa State or Zags could be trendy pick to beat Duke. Region weaker.
- Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) March 15, 2015
Poor KU. After playing the toughest schedule in the country, they have to get past Wichita State, Notre Dame & UK to get to Final 4. Yikes
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) March 15, 2015
Big Ten gets seven bids in a "down" year for the league.
- Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 15, 2015
