Selection Sunday is just 5 weeks away

  • By Jim O’connell Associated Press
  • Wednesday, February 10, 2016 7:29pm
  • SportsSports

Five weeks until Selection Sunday. Twenty-five more days in college basketball’s regular season. The season is winding down, and that means constant bubble talk and discussions about seeding.

This NCAA Tournament is setting up to be a good one. Just ask the man who’s running the show.

“We have had six No. 1 teams already. It is deeper at the top,” Oklahoma athletic director and Selection Committee chairman Joe Castiglione said Wednesday. “How exciting and unpredictable March is setting up to be.”

The committee is meeting in Indianapolis, kind of a refresher course for the veterans and a chance for new members — Ohio University athletic director Jim Schaus and Duke athletic director Kevin White — to get a chance to see the process in action.

“We have been meeting and tomorrow morning, after we have evaluated all 336 eligible schools, we will conduct a mock draft before we adjourn,” Castiglione said before adding reasons this won’t be just another NCAA Tournament.

“Usually there are between nine and 11 conferences that could send multiple teams to the tournament,” Castiglione said. “This year I could make a case for 14 leagues to get multiple bids if a team doesn’t win the automatic berth, and that’s going to make for an exciting stretch run.

“Last year it was very obvious and at the start of the meeting we had eight teams locked in the top two lines, and that was unprecedented. That may not happen again next month. It just hasn’t been that type of season, and I view it as a good thing for the fans.”

Castiglione said the new emphasis on rules designed to open the game up has done just that.

“The pace of the game is better and scoring is up 8 percent and there are 6 percent more possessions and the games are a little shorter,” Castiglione said. “Last season there were 30 teams that averaged 75 points per game. This season there are 139 scoring at that rate and that’s significant. The changes have truly improved the game and that was our goal.”

The committee will meet in New York for the first time. and 32 conference champions will be joined by 36 at-large teams.

Castiglione said injuries, suspensions and midseason eligibles will all be considered when a team is discussed, and he said the suspensions include those of coaches.

Louisville and SMU are two teams that otherwise would be considered locks for the tournament had they not become ineligible because of NCAA rules violations. Having played them won’t hurt another team’s chances.

“Games against any of the teams not under consideration will be included in any and all metrics, just like any other team,” he said. “It’s valued just the same.”

Castiglione has one problem that seems to be a good one for an athletic director. The Sooners were ranked No. 1 for three weeks and are definitely in the running for a No. 1 seed.

The rule is anybody with a connection to the school being discussed must leave the room,

“I’ll be stepping out as the case warrants,” Castiglione said. “I would much rather step out of the room because my team is being discussed rather than sit in the room and not have my team mentioned.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.