NCAA Tournament 2016: Five biggest snubs on Selection Sunday

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Mar 20, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Valparaiso Crusaders forward Jubril Adekoya (23), guard Tevonn Walker (2), guard Keith Carter (0), and forward Alec Peters (25) walk on the court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Valparaiso Crusaders

The Valparaiso Crusaders were fantastic all season as they lost only six games over the entire year and only lost two contests in the Horizon League. This led to them being the No. 1 seed by a wide margin in the Horizon League Tournament, but the Crusaders were ultimately upset by the Green Bay Phoenix in that tournament. Even after being upset, though, Valpo deserved to be ahead of some of the teams that did make the tournament with at-large bids and deserves to be a part of the 2016 NCAA Tournament.

The Crusaders, in addition to their success in the Horizon League in the regular season, also had two notable non-conference outcomes that should have come into play. They may have lost to the Oregon Ducks early in the season—a Ducks team that earned a No. 1 seed in the 2016 NCAA Tournament—but they only fell by six points. Then, Valparaiso also topped the Oregon State Beavers, another team that made the tournament with the final score being six points in their favor.

Though they may not have had the strongest non-conference schedule, the Crusaders performed well in the big games that were on the schedule and then took care of business elsewhere on the schedule. Given that, it’s a bit odd that they didn’t get an at-large bid to take part in March Madness.

Next: No. 3 Saint Mary's

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