Projecting BYU basketball’s March Madness seeding using qualified professionals …..

Projecting BYU Basketball’s March Madness Seeding Using Qualified Professionals

As March rolls in, college basketball fans begin to shift their attention toward one of the most exciting and unpredictable events in sports: the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, popularly known as March Madness. The tournament is a thrilling spectacle where 68 teams compete for a national title, and seeding plays a crucial role in determining each team’s path to the Final Four. For a team like Brigham Young University (BYU), which has a long-standing tradition of success in college basketball, making the tournament and securing a favorable seed is of paramount importance. To project BYU’s March Madness seeding, it’s essential to consider the analyses and predictions of qualified professionals, including bracketologists, analysts, and experts from respected sports networks, as well as various metrics that shape the seeding process.

### Understanding March Madness Seeding

Before diving into the specifics of BYU’s potential seeding, it’s important to understand how the NCAA tournament seeding process works. The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament uses a selection committee to determine the 68 teams that will participate. These teams are then assigned seeds in four regions: East, West, South, and Midwest. The committee is tasked with evaluating a team’s overall performance during the regular season, taking into account numerous factors such as:

– **Strength of Schedule (SOS):** How difficult a team’s opponents were during the season.

-Net Ranking (NET): A metric that combines game results, strength of schedule, and other factors such as margin of victory. Quadrant Wins:A ranking system that classifies wins based on the quality of the opponent (Quadrant 1 being the highest).

Team Performance Metrics: Including offensive and defensive efficiency, turnover ratios, and rebounding.

By considering these metrics, the committee determines the relative strength of each team, ultimately placing them in the tournament bracket with the highest-ranked teams receiving a No. 1 seed and the lowest-ranked teams receiving a No. 16 seed.

### BYU’s Current Performance and Outlook

As of March 2025, BYU has had a solid performance in the 2024-2025 season, showcasing a blend of experienced leadership and emerging talent. The Cougars have built a strong resume with numerous impressive victories, but several factors are at play in determining their seeding.

#### Strength of Schedule and Key Wins

BYU’s schedule this season has been a mix of challenging non-conference matchups and tough conference play within the West Coast Conference (WCC). While the WCC is not considered one of the elite conferences like the ACC or Big Ten, it has produced strong teams such as Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, and Loyola Marymount, which provides BYU with an opportunity to bolster its resume through high-quality wins. With victories over these high-ranked teams, BYU’s NET ranking could see an upward trajectory, positively influencing their seeding prospects.

Key wins are often crucial in the seeding process. For BYU, a win over a nationally ranked opponent like Gonzaga or Saint Mary’s would strengthen their argument for a higher seed. The committee often rewards teams that perform well in high-pressure situations and against strong competition. For example, if BYU secured a notable win over Gonzaga in a late-season matchup, it could significantly improve their chances of earning a favorable seeding.

#### NET Ranking and Quadrant Wins

BYU’s NET ranking is another important factor to consider. As of mid-March, the team has been hovering around the 25-40 range, which would place them on the borderline of a No. 6 to No. 9 seed. However, a couple of strong performances down the stretch, especially in conference tournaments, could push them higher.

Quadrant wins are a pivotal part of the seeding process. A team with several Quadrant 1 wins is more likely to secure a higher seed compared to a team with fewer wins in this category. For instance, if BYU were to defeat a top-tier team like Gonzaga in a neutral-site game during the WCC Tournament, that victory would count as a Quadrant 1 win and would bolster their case for a top-8 seed.

#### Key Metrics: Offensive and Defensive Efficiency

Professional analysts often highlight offensive and defensive efficiency as indicators of a team’s potential success in the tournament. BYU has maintained solid metrics in both categories this season. Their offense, led by key players such as senior guard Jaxon Robinson, has demonstrated the ability to execute in high-pressure situations, while their defense has been impressive at stifling opponents’ high-scoring offenses.

In March Madness, teams with a balanced approach—where offense and defense complement each other—often fare better, as they can adapt to the different styles of play they will encounter. A team like BYU, which ranks highly in both offensive and defensive efficiency, has the potential to make a deep run in the tournament, thus increasing their value in the eyes of the selection committee.

### Analysts’ Projections and Expert Opinions

A critical way to project BYU’s seeding is by considering the insights of basketball experts and bracketologists. These professionals have a deep understanding of the selection process and evaluate teams based on all the factors mentioned above, as well as broader trends that impact seeding. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key experts and how they view BYU’s prospects.

#### Joe Lunardi (ESPN)

Joe Lunardi, widely regarded as one of the top bracketologists in the business, consistently updates his projected bracket throughout the season. In his latest projection, Lunardi has BYU as a No. 7 seed, citing their strong performance in both non-conference and conference play. Lunardi notes that while BYU’s schedule hasn’t been as rigorous as some other Power 5 teams, their impressive wins, particularly in the WCC, position them favorably for a solid seed.

CBS Sports Experts

CBS Sports analysts have a similar outlook for BYU, projecting them as a No. 8 or No. 9 seed. This ranking reflects their consistency in both the WCC and nationally, but analysts emphasize that BYU will need to perform well in the upcoming WCC Tournament to solidify their place. They note that while BYU has been solid throughout the regular season, their seeding could hinge on how they perform in high-pressure games against top-tier teams in the conference tournament.

KenPom and Advanced Metrics

KenPom, a website known for its advanced basketball statistics, also plays a critical role in seeding projections. KenPom’s metrics focus on factors like adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, tempo, and strength of schedule, and they have ranked BYU in the top 30 for much of the season. This ranking, particularly in terms of adjusted defensive efficiency, gives BYU an edge in the eyes of the committee, especially when teams from stronger conferences may not have the same defensive balance.

BYU’s Path to a Higher Seed

To secure a better seeding, BYU will need to continue its strong play in the final stretch of the regular season and during the WCC Tournament. Several key factors will determine how high their seed can go:

1. **Winning the WCC Tournament:** A championship in the WCC Tournament would not only guarantee BYU a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but it would also improve their seeding by adding a conference title to their resume.

2. **Big Wins Over Ranked Opponents:** Upsetting a top team in the final stretch of the regular season or in the WCC Tournament would boost BYU’s credentials significantly, especially if they earn a win against Gonzaga or Saint Mary’s.

3. **Continued Efficiency:** Maintaining their efficiency metrics—both offensively and defensively—will keep BYU in the conversation for a top seed, especially if their strong play continues against high-level competition.

Conclusion

As we approach March Madness 2025, BYU’s seeding is still up in the air, but experts and analysts generally project the Cougars to land between a No. 7 and No. 9 seed. With a solid overall record, a mix of quality wins, and impressive individual performances, BYU has put itself in a favorable position for tournament selection. However, their final seeding will be determined by how they perform in the remaining games of the season, particularly in the WCC Tournament. With strong projections from analysts like Joe Lunardi and CBS Sports, it’s clear that BYU is a team to watch in the lead-up to the NCAA Tournament, and their seeding will depend on how they navigate the final stretch of their regular season and the conference tournament.

Ultimately, BYU’s performance in these critical games will determine if they can secure a coveted spot in the top half of the bracket and position themselves for a deep run in March Madness. The Cougars’ strong season thus far gives them a good shot, but like all teams in the tournament, they will need to perform at their best when the spotlight shines the brightest.