As reported by on3, The NCAA has strategically scheduled the first reveal of this season’s top 16 seeds, adding another layer of intrigue to an already compelling matchup.
Prime-Time Announcement
The selection committee will unveil the top 16 seeds during College GameDay on Saturday night, immediately preceding the South Carolina-LSU showdown. The timing creates a fascinating subplot: South Carolina is projected as a lock for a one seed, while LSU’s seeding position remains uncertain heading into their direct confrontation.
While the NCAA hasn’t announced the second reveal date, it typically occurs during the final week of February. Selection Sunday is scheduled for March 15.
Understanding the Reveal Process
For six consecutive seasons, the NCAA selection committee has conducted two top 16 reveals prior to Selection Sunday (formerly Selection Monday). These announcements serve a specific purpose and come with important caveats.
The reveals represent “a snapshot in time as if the season ended today.” Critically, they are not cumulative rankings that the committee refines for future assessments—each reveal starts fresh based on current data.
Seeding Methodology
The committee employs an approximate S-curve system, attempting to balance the bracket by pairing the strongest one-seed (first overall) with the weakest two-seed (eighth overall). However, bracketing regulations—particularly the rule preventing conference opponents from meeting in the first two rounds—prevent a perfect S-curve implementation.
Evaluation Criteria
The selection committee weighs 12 distinct criteria when determining seeds:
- Bad Losses
- Common Opponents
- Competitive in Losses
- Early Performance Versus Late Performance
- Head-To-Head Results
- Observable Component
- Overall Record
- Regional Rankings
- Significant Wins
- Strength of Schedule
- NET Rankings
- WAB (Wins Above Bubble)
The WAB Innovation
WAB represents a new analytical tool for the women’s selection committee, though the men’s committee has already incorporated it into their process. According to the NCAA, WAB “is results-based and goes beyond strength of schedule to show how a team actually did against that schedule.”
This metric specifically targets bubble teams—those on the tournament’s inclusion/exclusion borderline. Consequently, WAB holds minimal relevance for South Carolina, which has secured a one seed in each of the past five tournaments.
Tournament Timeline
The championship path unfolds across several weeks:
First Four: March 18-19
First Round: March 20-21
Second Round: March 22-23
All opening weekend games will be hosted at the sites of the top 16 seeds, rewarding elite regular-season performance with home-court advantage.
Regional Sites: For the third consecutive season, the tournament features two regional locations. Fort Worth and Sacramento will host the later rounds.
Sweet 16: March 27-28
Elite Eight: March 29-30
Final Four: April 3-5 in Phoenix
Strategic Implications
The Valentine’s Day weekend reveal adds significant context to the South Carolina-LSU matchup. Beyond the competitive stakes of the game itself, both programs will learn their current standing in the committee’s eyes just before tipoff. For LSU, the game represents an opportunity to validate or improve their seeding projection. For South Carolina, it’s a chance to reinforce their one-seed credentials against a quality opponent.
The timing transforms what would already be a marquee regular-season game into a statement opportunity for both programs with March Madness rapidly approaching.
source: on3
