The excitement of the NCAA Tournament kicks off, and this year’s Selection Sunday was filled with drama as teams from both the men’s and women’s brackets awaited their fate.

UCLA secured the No. 1 overall seed in the women’s tournament, a decision met with disappointment from other top competitors like South Carolina and USC. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley expressed her discontent, stating, “Obviously it’s disappointing; I’d like to get some feedback on how they’ve come to this conclusion.”

Similarly, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb felt their achievements were overlooked, saying, “I never thought I’d be a 1-seed and feel disrespected.” This year, the SEC leads all conferences with eight schools participating in both tournaments, showcasing the strength of their programs.

In men’s basketball, teams like North Carolina and Texas achieved tournament berths while others, including West Virginia, found themselves excluded, prompting inquiries from Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.

This year’s bracket breakdown includes notable schools like:

• ACC: Duke, North Carolina, Louisville
• Big Ten: Michigan, UCLA, Maryland
• SEC: Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee

Overview of Teams in Both Tournaments

Duke and UCLA shine with entries in both men’s and women’s tournaments, indicating a robust performance across the board for these programs.