The NCAA Tournament Is Full Of Potential Madness With Purdue And North Carolina Getting A Tough Draw

We have finally made it to the most wonderful time of the year, as the NCAA Tournament field was announced on Sunday evening. Unfortunately for a number of teams, conference tourney week caused a massive amount of chaos when it comes to teams that were on the bubble. 

If you want a review of what caused this craziness, having 21 different teams that were not one-seeds win their conference tournament didn't help. How about a team like NC State winning five games in five days to capture the ACC tourney title and steal a bid from someone? I know many folks didn't see that coming, or even a team like Long Beach State snagging a bid. 

Simply put, this was the most chaotic week leading into the NCAA Tournament that we've had in almost 25 years. So, if your favorite squad was on the bubble heading into this past week, there's a good chance you're drinking a few more beers on this St. Patrick's Day

The NCAA Has Released All Tip-Off Times For The First Round, Click Here

The SEC and Big Twelve both got eight teams into the NCAA Tournament, followed by the Big Ten and Mountain West with six teams each. In a not so surprising situation, the ACC fell behind this season, with only five teams making the tourney, led by North Carolina as a one seed. 

Before we get to the interesting storylines, i'm calling for McNeese State and Will Wade to upset Gonzaga in the first round of the Midwest region. Billy The Kid is back, and his team is red hot. 

So, let's get down to business and have a little fun with the tournament bracket. 

Who Got The Shaft From NCAA Selection Committee? 

The first-four teams out of the tournament were Oklahoma, Seton Hall, Indiana State and Pittsburgh. all four of these teams were victims of conference tournament play, and i'm still trying to figure out why the committee gave Boise State a play-in game against Colorado as the 10th seed. Why the Broncos have to play in Dayton is lost on me, with the winner playing Florida in Indianapolis. 

St.Johns was not even on the first-four teams out, with Virginia grabbing one of the last spots, along with Colorado State. Once again, Rick Pitino's squad fell to conference tourney craziness, which bolted them out of consideration. 

Rick Pitino is St. John's top target. (Credit: Getty Images)

Best Looking Region Of NCAA Tournament? 

My initial thoughts on this spot goes to the South Region with Houston leading the way. After getting destroyed by Iowa State in the Big 12 title game, the Cougars will surely rebound in Memphis for the opening weekend. In terms of overall star power, having Marquette, Duke and Kentucky also joining Houston should make for some entertaining prospects if all four teams get out of the first weekend. 

I think the committee was playing a joke on Nebraska by having them face Texas A&M in the opening round. It was just four days ago that Trev Alberts left the Cornhuskers for the Aggies athletic director job, and you can't tell me the committee didn't know this. 

FOR THE FULL NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET, CLICK THE LINK HERE

NCAA Tournament Tip-Off Times

NCAA Tournament Tip-Off Times

Can NC State keep this run going against Texas Tech in the opening game? If they were to win their sixth straight game, a potential matchup with Kentucky would be waiting. Also, how about the James Madison versus Wisconsin showdown? Don't look past the No. 12 seed pulling the upset over a sketchy Badgers squad, who limped their way into the Big Ten tournament, but got on a winning streak to the finals on Sunday, where they lost to Illinois. 

How can you not love the story of North Carolina State winning five games in a row to win the ACC tournament and have Kevin Keatts receive a 2-year contract extension, after being on the hot-seat entering the conference tourney. 

Also, how could you not enjoy the story of Long Beach State? After Dan Monson was told he would not be returning next season, his team went out and won the Big West conference tournament, extending his stay as head coach, for at least one more game. 

Unfortuately it will come to an end at the hands of Arizona, most likely. But, this has been a fantastic story for LBSU, which makes it funnier that the AD has to continue paying Monson his bonuses for making the NCAA Tournament. 

Hardest Path To The Second Weekend Of NCAA Tournament?

Ok Purdue, it's now or never, and the competition in the Midwest Region could cause a myriad of problems if teams are allowed to play physical with Zach Edey. A region stacked with teams like Tennessee, Kansas, Creighton, Texas and Gonzaga could potentially lead to chaos. I don't know how we continue to get this kind of potential, but the Vols and Boilermakers could be once again on a collision course. 

If you are a Purdue fan, you're obviously happy with your path to the second weekend, but this region could get pretty dicey. 

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 15: Head coach Rick Barnes talks with Kennedy Chandler #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on January 15, 2022 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

I also think North Carolina has a difficult path as the No.1 seed in the West Region. The Tarheels are joined by Arizona, Baylor and Alabama, with the regional taking place in Los Angeles, which will be a home game for Arizona if they were to make it. If Nate Oats can get his team playing complimentary basketball again, that will be an entertaining game with either Saint Mary's or Grand Canyon in the second round. 

My Final Four Predictions

Ok, after thinking about it for the past few hours, here's how I see the final four playing out. 

Give me UConn, Houston, Arizona and Tennessee to be playing for a national championship in Glendale, under a month from now.