NCAA Tournament Seedings began in 1979, giving us over 30 years of history to help guide our bracket and game predictions. Exceptions can always occur, but overall the correlation between a high seeding and advancing in the tourney has been strong.

2011 Final Four Bracket Facts:
 
Only SECOND TIME since 1981 (31 years) that ZERO #1 seeds make Final Four (other time 2006).

In 32 years of Final Fours, #11 VCU only the THIRD team worse than #8 seed to make Final Four. ALL THREE were #11 seeds! [George Mason (2006); LSU (1986)]

It’s now 23 of 27 years that TWO OR LESS #1 seeds made the Final Four (Keep that in mind next year, President Obama!)

2011 will be the first time in 26 YEARS that a team worse than a #6 seed will play in NCAA Finals (#11 VCU or #8 Butler)

Championship Odds:

Kentucky: 37% chance ($100 wins $150)
Connecticut: 30% chance ($100 wins $200)
Butler: 20% chance ($100 wins $350)
VCU: 13% ($100 wins $600)

Feedback . . .

Do you consider 2011 to be a fluke, or do you think there's a fundamental change in the NCAA Tournaments? Specifically, do you feel as if underdogs now have a better chance to do well than in the past)?