The 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament bracket is officially set with the 68-team field. Some of the teams and seedings followed the expectation, while a few bubble teams that missed out might have some pretty strong beefs. Let’s take a look at 10 takeaways from this year’s field.
Iowa State not even the top No. 2 seed. Going into championship week Iowa State seemed to have a great shot at one of the four No. 1 seeds. It not only did not get one, it is not even the top No. 2 seed. Or the second No. 2 seed.
Iowa State is officially the No. 8 overall seed in the tournament, making it the third No, 2 seed. The biggest reason for the fall — a weak out of conference schedule that is a big factor for the committee.
Stetson’s first NCAA tournament bid is a brutal matchup. This is a big season for Stetson as it gets its first ever bid into the tournament. Its reward? A first-round matchup against the No. 1 overall seed and defending national champion UConn. It could not have been any tougher.
The East region looks brutal. Speaking of which, UConn is also in for a shockingly tough run for a defending champion and No. 1 overall seed as its region — the East region — is looking like an absolute gauntlet to have to get through.
Three of last year’s Final Four teams reside in it (UConn, Florida Atlantic and San Diego State) reside in that region, along with Illinois, Auburn and a very tough BYU team.