Selection Sunday has officially reached its peak as the NCAA revealed the fateful bracket that will set things in motion for the forthcoming NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Championship tournament.
You'll recall that last year, the NCAA tried their hand at revealing the teams in alphabetical order, only ensuring mass confusion. This year, the brackets have been arranged by region, restoring its original format and revealing Duke University to be the overall top seed in the East, set to face off with the victor of the First Four matchup between NC Central and North Dakota State on Tuesday. Other seeded squads joining Duke include Michigan State (No. 2), Mississippi State (No. 5) and Louisville (No. 7).
In the South region, Virginia earns the No. 1 slot once again and is joined by Big ten teams like Purdue (No. 3) and Wisconson (No. 5). Yet another ACC team earns No. 1 as the Midwest region is headed up by UNC, marking the first time since 2009 that a single conference has produced three top seeds. Notably, the Tar Heels are joined by Kentucky, Houston, and Kansas who occupy Nos. 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
Lastly, it is Gonzaga who claims the fourth top seed in the West with Michigan, Texas Tech and Florida State following up in the next three slots. The Bulldogs will be tasked with facing off the winner of the First Four game between Fairleigh Dickinson & Prairie View A&M.
Naturally, the brackets are up and ready for viewing and predictions far and wide. Godspeed.