Despite their impressive record (24-10, and quality of play (#38 NCAA NET ranking), Creighton was handed a 9-seed in the tournament, a ranking that hardly reflects the strength of their season.
Creighton’s season stands out, especially considering the strength of their schedule, playing in the rugged Big East. The Bluejays faced off against some of the toughest competition in the country, going 6-6 against Quad 1 teams—a respectable .500 win rate.
By comparison, Texas A&M, which boasts a 25-8 record, had just seven Quad 1 wins and a .431 win percentage against those teams. Yet, A&M earned a 4-seed in the tournament.
Let’s look at a few other 4-seed teams, starting with Purdue. Creighton defeated Purdue in a preconference matchup. Purdue finished with a .411 win rate against Quad 1 teams and a 22-11 overall record, losing to Texas A&M—just like Creighton. But here’s where the differences become more apparent: When Creighton faced Marquette, they split the series, winning one and losing the other by just 8 points. On the other hand, Purdue lost to Marquette by a much larger margin—18 points. Regarding marquee matchups, Purdue defeated Alabama, while Creighton lost by a narrow six-point margin in their game against the Crimson Tide. These kinds of close contests can often be the difference between a 4-seed and a lower seeding.
Next, let’s consider Arizona, another 4-seed team. The Wildcats finished 22-12 and posted a .471 win rate against Quad 1 teams. Arizona did face Kansas, a team Creighton defeated earlier in the season—when Kansas was ranked #1. Arizona, by contrast, lost to a Kansas team that was unranked and lacked any significant momentum at the time. While Arizona’s schedule was undeniably strict, Creighton’s was no less challenging, and their head-to-head performance against top teams speaks volumes about their strength.
I want to be clear: this is not an attack on Purdue, Arizona, Texas A&M. However, Creighton’s performance this season—especially given their notable wins, strength of schedule, and competitive losses—warrants a much higher than a 9-seed. The Bluejays made a remarkable run through the Big East, ultimately finishing as conference runners-up in a close and exciting final against a strong St. John’s team, ranked #6 in the nation.
It is both surprising and frustrating that Creighton was relegated to a 9-seed despite these accomplishments. This season was one of their best in recent memory, yet the selection committee’s decision leaves much to be desired.
While some may argue that there’s no use in dwelling on the past, it’s hard not to feel that teams like Creighton, Boise State, and West Virginia were unjustly treated. The current March Madness seeding system needs to be more transparent and consistent in rewarding teams that have performed well throughout the season.
Creighton’s snub, while not the only one, highlights a growing issue within the selection process. It’s time for change to ensure deserving teams receive the recognition and seedings they’ve earned.
