Fans Are Furious With Remaining Seeds In NCAA Tournament
03/29/2025 10:33 PM
Whether you're a basketball fan or just love the excitement of the NCAA Tournament, just about everyone loves a Cinderella story. Unfortunately, neither the men's or women's tournaments are offering one anymore.
Following the Sweet 16 yesterday, the two tournaments were left with a combined 16 teams in their respective Elite Eights. But all of the remaining seeds were ranked in the top three. All eight 1-seeds are still alive, along with six 2-seeds. Only two 3-seeds were able to make it through to the next round - LSU in the women's tournament and Texas Tech in the men's tournament.
As much as people may like the competitiveness of the elite teams squaring off in the Elite Eight this weekend, fans aren't amused with the lack of any compelling underdog stories.
Men's Elite Eight seeds: 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 30, 2025
Women's Elite Eight seeds: 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3
On social media, many are blaming the advent of NIL and the transfer portal killing off the mid-majors.
"March Sadness because of NIL and transfer portal," one user lamented
"NIL killed March Madness," another wrote.
"I feel like you're ignoring the fact that this isn't a fluke. This is the new reality with the portal."
"The best sporting event that ever existed has now been relegated to a competition of what school has the best financial backing. Schools with eight figure budgets to buy their players and coaches versus schools with six figure budgets and no rules in place to balance it. Trash"
Others feel that this is the way college basketball should be: The best of the best going at it.
"I'm all for it. I know Cinderella has been lacking, but this is what many of us like to see in the end," one said.
"I get that March Madness is special because of the literal Madness it typically produces, but this is going to be top tier Basketball across the board through the title game. I'm pumped."
"if this doesn't excite you man idk what will."
While the NCAA Tournament may lack the drama of years where mid-majors were causing havoc and 9-seeds were making the Final Four, the basketball itself is far less likely to have blowouts where teams turn into pumpkins.
Do you like or loathe the lack of mid-majors deep in the tournament?
Related: There's 1 Perfect Bracket Remaining In Women's NCAA Tournament
