Selection Sunday 2012 Results: Seeds, Reaction and Analysis

Selection Sunday is upon us, and the sports world is in the process of analyzing what looks to be one of the more thrilling brackets in recent memory. 

While this year's bubble ranks as one of the softest in recent memory, thanks to some late collapses from teams who were seen as locks, there are still plenty of questions that need answering in the coming days. 

Can Vanderbilt actually advance in the tournament? The fifth-seeded Commodores have made early exits an annual affair, and face a stern test from Harvard in round 1. But Kevin Stallings' team have shown they can win big games, courtesy of their SEC title. 

Did Cal deserve to get into the Dance? The Golden Bears were chosen over seemingly more deserving candidates like Seton Hall and Drexel, and are going to need a decent showing in their play-in game to validate the committee's selection. 

These questions and more are answered here, as we break down the field, the matchups, and all the big questions people are asking.  

Update: March 11, 7:05 PM

So, now that we've had 15 good minutes to break down the bracket, it's prediction time. Call me crazy, but I think Kentucky is cruising for another early exit. A truly brutal bracket does not mix well with a young team like the Wildcats, and I don't see them making it out of the South intact. Syracuse, on the other hand, has a relatively weak bracket, and you can make a case that Kansas is better than UNC at this stage. Both of them figure to find their way into the Final Four. In the end, look for Kansas to keep their stellar run of form going, and to nab their second national title in the last five seasons, taking down Duke in the national title game. 

Update: March 11, 7:00 PM

Obviously, you can't talk about brackets without talking about snubs. Teams like Seton Hall, Washington, Drexel, Oral Roberts and Southern Miss all probably have bones to pick with the selection committee, particularly with uninspiring teams like Cal and BYU getting in, even if it's just in a play-in game. Of those teams, you really have to feel for Drexel, who put together quite a win streak, and nearly took out VCU in the CAA title tilt. 

Jason McIntyre is quick to point out the merits of including Seton Hall; the Pirates had quite a conference schedule, and probably have the best case of all the snubs: 

"

Seton Hall: 4 wins against the RPI Top 50. Iona had 0. Drexel had 1. I know Seton Hall had bad losses, but ...

— Jason McIntyre (@TheBigLead) March 11, 2012"

Meanwhile, Stewart Mandel brings us another snub: Marshall, touting the virtues of their resume: 

"

I would love to hear why no Marshall. Top 10 non-conference SOS, four top 50 wins, including Iona.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) March 11, 2012"

Update: March 11 6:45 PM

In the early going, Creighton looks like a definite Cinderella. The Blue Jays are an 8 seed, but they have the chops to put a scare into UNC. Meanwhile, the Cal Golden Bears get awfully lucky getting in at all, in their first four clash with South Florida. 

In the latter half of the bracket, Kansas finds themselves as a two seed, which sounds about right given their play in the Big 12 tournnament. However, they face serious competition out of St. Mary's in round 2, a 7-seed who could make some noise, assuming they get past Purdue. Don't count out the Belmont Bruins in round 1; they match up incredibly well with Georgetown. 

Ray Holloman says what we're all thinking about an incredibly overrated Georgetown team: 

"

That Belmont/Georgetown matchup is getting my upset finger twitching...

— Ray Holloman (@Ray_Holloman) March 11, 2012"

Meanwhile, it appears that Jason McIntyre has already filled in one of his Final Four Teams: 

"

UNC has easiest path to the Final 4 of the any No. 1 seed. Not close, really.

— Jason McIntyre (@TheBigLead) March 11, 2012"

For those who like their tournaments with a mid-major flavor, Pete Thamel says this year's got what you need: 

"

The 11 at-large for non-power conferences is the most since 12 in 2004.

— Pete Thamel(@PeteThamelNYT) March 11, 2012"

Even Cal grads like our own Zach Rymer are vexed by Cal getting in: 

"

Dammit. Cal made the cut.

— Zachary D. Rymer (@zachrymer) March 11, 2012"

Update: March 11, 6:35 PM

Another year, another serious upset alert for Vanderbilt, who get 12-seed Harvard in the first round. The Commodores have crashed out early quite a bit lately, and they're in big trouble again. Meanwhile, it's looking like Syracuse gets a relatively easy bracket, without a ton of teams capable with hanging with their athleticism and depth. 

Meanwhile, Gonzaga gets themselves quite a first-round clash, against West Virginia. We see where Florida State will land, as a three seed against St. Bonaventure. Cincinnati gets a fairly easy matchup against a Texas team that lacks scoring punch. 

Travis Clay sympathizes with Vanderbilt, who are rewarded for their SEC title with a kick to the stomach courtesy of the selection committee:

"

Vandy vs. Harvard in Albuquerque as 5 seed. Wisconsin in second round. Tough draw.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravisBGID) March 11, 2012"

Meanwhile, Mike Wise is having delusions of grandeur:

"

I like UNC-Asheville to become first 16th seed to pull off the stunner.

— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) March 11, 2012"

Finally, Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel brings us just a little bit of sarcasm when discussing Gonzaga's seeding: 

"

Congratulations on your 7 seed, Gonzaga: You get to play West Virginia in Pittsburgh.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) March 11, 2012"

Update: March 11, 6:25 PM

Memphis jumps out right off the bat as an underseeded team, with a relatively easy first round matchup as the eight seed. Don't be suprised to see them give the Spartans all they can handle in round 2. Meanwhile, the New Mexico Lobos are punished for their great season with a 5 seed and a matchup with Long Beach State. Upset Alert, anyone? 

Meanwhile, Florida's also underseeded, with an intriguing 7-10 matchup against Virginia. Then, we have Iona, a surprise bubble team getting into the First Four matchups. Now, the question becomes, can they prove themselves worthy? 

Yahoo's Pat Forde is none too pleased by what he sees as a brutal underseeding for Murray State, a 6-seed, and I don't blame him:

"

Murray should've been 4 or 5.

— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) March 11, 2012"

Meanwhile, Dan Moore is already calling his first upset of the tournament. Given the way Louisville has been playing, I think he's going to need a bit of luck to be right about that one:

"

Davidson vs Louisville. Upset. Calling it now

— Dan Moore (@MooreDanMoore) March 11, 2012"

ESPN's Keri Potts congratulates Iona on making the field, although Northwestern is probably none too pleased: 

"

Look at you #Iona!

— Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) March 11, 2012"

Update: March 11, 6:15 PM

The South Region is complete, and if you're a UK fan, the committee did you no favors. A truly loaded bracket, featuring Wichita State, VCU, Indiana, New Mexico State, Baylor, Notre Dame, Xavier, Duke and UNLV. 

Kevin Flaherty sums up the feelings of Iowa State fans who are sure to have a bit of a bone to pick with the committee after this: 

"

Iowa State with a No. 8 seed, playing No. 9 UCONN. Reward for winning = Kentucky. #ouch

— Kevin Flaherty (@LonghornDigest) March 11, 2012"

Jason McIntyre of the Big Lead points out that given UK is the top overall seed, the committee is going to have some serious explaining to do for the teams they placed in their bracket.

"

that's a LOADED first bracket. damn. no cakewalk for UK.

— Jason McIntyre (@TheBigLead) March 11, 2012"

Update: March 11, 6:10 PM

Kentucky is an unsurprising pick as the top overall seed, while Syracuse is no surprise as the second top seed. However, North Carolina probably didn't deserve the spot they got, particularly after falling to Florida State in the ACC title tilt. Michigan State, playing in a very strong Big Ten and earning the tournament title, certainly impressed enough to drive home their merits as the fourth overall seed. 

Bryan Fischer's tweet pretty much sums up basketball fans' feelings everywhere:

"

The Madness is here. Kentucky is the overall #1 with plenty more to come.

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) March 11, 2012"

The South Region coming up next.