March Madness is here and it seems like the committee may have had a little too much fun with the map. Around exactly 48 hours from now, the Auburn Tigers will begin their NCAA run. They are set to go against the Alabama State Hornets. If all goes well, then Auburn will next face the Louisville Cardinals. The two teams haven’t played against each other in the NCAA since September 2015. Therefore, the potential matchup is making people excited. But instead of that history, Bill Self has a lot to say about the location.
The Jayhawks earned a seven-seed in the NCAA Tournament and got sent to Providence, rather than the closer by Wichita. That’s after some other lower seeds got games closer to home. However, Self isn’t too worried about this. He agreed that his team wasn’t deserving enough of playing in Wichita, so it didn’t shock him much. Yet, when the conversation turns to Auburn, he is shocked, to say the least.
The 62-year-old Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team coach spoke with reporters after the NCAA Tournament selection show. During the session, he discussed how several high-seeding teams aren’t getting to play at home. And his frustration is understandable because when a No. 1 seed like Auburn finds themselves in a de facto road game against a No. 8 seed, it is bound to raise some eyebrows.
He openly shared his thoughts, stating “I was kind of surprised Missouri got sent to Wichita, considering Texas Tech is going to have to play them in then if both teams win, if the higher seeds win. You’re telling me that Louisville is sent to Lexington? And if they win they’ve got Auburn and Auburn’s got to play Louisville in Lexington? That shocks me.”
Bill Self sees Auburn potentially facing Louisville in Kentucky as ‘shocking’ https://t.co/CIAJKgiynt via @on3sports
— Auburn Live (@AuburnLiveOn3) March 19, 2025
Self also included the example of Illinois and Iowa. But again, that did not shock him as much as the Tigers’ prospects as Illinois’ advantage might be neutralized because of Iowa State’s strong fan base and the coach’s local ties. “The other one was Illinois to Milwaukee, as a six-seed,” Self added. “The three-seed there is who? [Iowa State]. Well, Iowa State will travel regardless. So, that’ll probably be a 50/50 — and that’s TJ [Otzelberger’s] hometown. So, I would say I’m more shocked by the former with Louisville playing potentially Auburn in Lexington.”
It is not just Bill Self who is sounding off- criticism against the committee can’t seem to stop. Fox Sports radio host Aaron Torres openly went on to state that “Auburn having to potentially play Louisville in Lexington in an No. 1 vs. 8 game is an ALL-TIME screw job for an overall No. 1 seed.” And ESPN’s radio host Matt Schik also said “That puzzling seeding doesn’t just punish Louisville, it hurts Auburn. Potentially facing a top-15 team is quite the ‘reward’ for the number one overall seed. Especially facing them in Lexington”. Local fans who might have been waiting to see the Tigers in the NCAA will have to hope it gets through a few rounds and play back home. For players, not having a home-court advantage would put them at a serious disadvantage.
Nevertheless, what is done is done. The Auburn Tigers squad will now have to ensure this ‘unfairness’ does not come in their way of progress. After all, they might be the No.1 seed, but they are not the betting favorites, with odds at +425. Duke and Florida have bested them here, listed at +350 odds each.
As for Bill Self, he too has to prepare his team for the tough road ahead.
Bill Self reveals being excited despite facing a tough journey passing through Arkansas and St. John’s
The Kansas Jayhawks are set to commence their NCAA run by going up against the Arkansas Razorbacks. It is set to take place in the Amica Mutual Pavilion Arena in Providence, Rhode Island. Therefore, neither team will get a home-court advantage. If all goes well, then Kansas will potentially face St John’s next. Going far away isn’t something Self minds. After all, as he revealed, “There can be less distractions. I actually think that’s okay. If we were playing as a 2-seed in Wichita, that’s different. But if you’re not going to be one of the top four seeds playing close to home, I think it’s fine to go away.”
Therefore, it is clear the location part is not bothering Bill Self‘s mind. One would then expect the coach to at least worry about the challenges Arkansas and St John’s will give him. As it turns out, the coach is as much of a chill guy as the dog portrayed in Phillip Banks’ original meme is.
“You’re a 7-seed, you’re going to play a team that’s similar to you regardless, and then you’re going to have to play a team that’s had one of the best years in the country in the second team regardless of it was Arkansas, regardless of if it was St John’s,” said Self. “So, it’s a hard draw but that’s the position that certainly we’re in and every other 7-seed is in. But, I like it, I’m looking forward to it. I think it’ll be fun.” He also made another pretty convincing point saying that when the NCAA tournament begins, every team goes into a reset mode, everybody’s 0-0.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: Kansas at Colorado Feb 24, 2025 Boulder, Colorado, USA Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self calls out in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center. Boulder CU Events Center Colorado USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRonxChenoyx 20250224_lbm_ac4_453
The Arkansas brings with them a unique defensive challenge that Self will need to sort out before the game. As for the offense, both teams have been pretty similar since Feb 1. However, if Self himself says that it’ll be fun, we have no reason to doubt him. Rest, it remains to be seen if everyone’s fears for Auburn will come true or if they will pull through like the top team they are.
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