A few interesting points and possibilities ahead of tonight’s selection of the Division I Championship Field:
-The SEC might be hosting the fewest regional tournaments in a very long time. While Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, and Arkansas are locks to host, after that it’s likely the rest of the SEC representatives will be sent to other regionals. This could produce some roadblocks for regional hosts/higher seeds seeing good SEC teams coming their way.
-Arizona finished last place in the Pac-12 which always seemed unfathomable before. The Wildcats have not missed the NCAA postseason since 1986. Arizona is definitely on the bubble, and at this point the wrong side of it.
-Does the NCAA Championship Committee place three Regional Rounds in the State of Florida? Florida State and Florida are a lock to host. A third site could be UCF, and they are deserving based on RPI, SOS, and rankings. If the Golden Knights aren’t chosen to host, they might be the most dangerous team in the postseason taking to the road.
-Texas A&M is a bubble team for the Field of 64. The Aggies finished the season 29-26, but have a good RPI and SOS. If A&M misses the postseason, head coach Jo Evans is at the end of her contract and a move to new leadership could be made by Aggie Administration.
-Arizona State won the Pac-12 Championship straight out over conference runner-up UCLA. The Sun Devils are 12th in the latest RPI, the Bruins are 5th. Can the Championship Committee seed UCLA as a Top 8 team and keep ASU out ignoring the finish in the Pac-12?