6 key takeaways from a mock Selection Sunday exercise - ESPN

ESPN

by Jeff Borzello

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The NCAA's mock Selection Sunday exercise provided valuable insights into how the real selection committee might approach this year's March Madness. Key discussions centered on handling high-profile injuries and determining at-large bids for teams like Miami (Ohio). The mock committee debated scenarios where injured players would impact team rankings, such as Texas Tech dropping to No. 21 despite strong early-season wins without JT Toppin, who suffered a torn ACL. Similarly, the committee considered how other teams performed with and without key players, including Kansas' Darryn Peterson and Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. Another major topic was Miami (Ohio)'s potential as an at-large team. Despite losing in the MAC tournament title game on a controversial call, the RedHawks were still granted a First Four spot. The committee also discussed scenarios where teams like Illinois and Gonzaga might be affected by injuries or player availability, highlighting the complexity of evaluating performance under different circumstances. The exercise revealed the challenges of balancing metrics, head-to-head comparisons, and team resilience when determining seeding and bracket placement. Teams with strong resumes but significant injuries, like Texas Tech, faced harsh evaluations, while others, such as Kansas, showed adaptability without key players. These debates underscored how crucial it is for teams to demonstrate consistency and performance throughout the season. For sports fans, this matters because the decisions made during Selection Sunday directly impact the bracket's structure and a team's chances of advancing far in the tournament. The mock exercise demonstrated that injuries, resilience, and performance without key players are critical factors the real committee will consider. This process ensures a fair evaluation of each team's strengths and challenges, ultimately shaping one of college basketball

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/24/2026