Fansided

5 big takeaways from NCAA’s top 16 seed reveal

By Mike Phillips

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during their game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 5, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during their game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 5, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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March Madness fans got an early Christmas present today when the selection committee teased us with our first glimpse of the bracket.

Well, this isn’t the “official” bracket, but an exercise in which the committee reveals its top 16 seeds (and where they would be playing) if the tournament was to kick off tomorrow. For those questioning the value of the proceedings, which is in its third year, Sports Illustrated notes that 13 of the 16 teams on the top four lines remained there when the bracket was revealed.

To make things even more interesting, eight of the 16 teams were on the same seed line as they were a month before the tournament, including three of the four No. 1 seeds. There is still a lot of basketball to be played, but what we saw today may be very similar to what we get on Selection Sunday.

Before we dive into our takeaways from the seed reveal, here’s a full glimpse of the top 16, courtesy of CBS Sports’ Twitter account:

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the five lessons we learned from the committee, beginning with …