When filling out a men’s NCAA Tournament bracket, it’s common for fans to get ridiculed for sticking with all the top seeds as the field shrinks toward the Final Four. The unpredictability of March Madness often rewards those who take chances on Cinderella teams and shocking upsets. However, this year, those who stuck with the favorites are looking like the smartest ones in the room.
With the Elite Eight now set, the tournament has been dominated by top-tier teams. Every remaining team is a No. 3 seed or better, making this one of the least surprising Elite Eights in tournament history. The group consists of all four No. 1 seeds, three No. 2s, and one No. 3, resulting in a combined seed total of 13—the lowest since 2007, when the exact same total was recorded.
This is a stark contrast to the chaotic nature of recent years. Last year, NC State’s Cinderella run to the Final Four helped push the combined Elite Eight total to 32. The previous two years were even more unpredictable, with totals of 37 in 2023 and a record-breaking 47 in 2022, the highest since the NCAA began seeding teams in 1979. The tournament has traditionally been known for its surprises, but this year, the heavyweights have held strong.
The low combined seed total suggests that the selection committee got it right this time, as the highest-ranked teams have justified their placements by advancing deep into the tournament. It also means that, for once, bracket purists who followed the numbers instead of their gut instincts are reaping the rewards. In a tournament that often rewards chaos, this year’s Elite Eight is proving to be more about consistency and dominance.
While upsets always make March Madness exciting, there’s something to be said for watching the best of the best battle it out in the final rounds. Fans of powerhouse programs will enjoy seeing a high-quality Final Four, while those who love an underdog story will have to wait for next year.
So, if your bracket still looks pristine and full of top seeds, don’t let anyone call you boring—this year, playing it safe was the smartest bet.