Cinderella has been kicked out of the dance early for the second straight season. Following a madness-promising first day of upsets, the NCAA Tournament has turned into a high-major affair. The Sweet 16 invite is for power-conference programs only. The Big Ten is the big conference on the block, pushing through a league-record six teams into the Sweet 16, including three in the same region. The SEC has four Sweet 16 teams, the Big 12 three, the Big East two, the ACC one. No mid-majors made it to the Sweet 16 for the second straight season after Utah State came up just short against West Region top seed Arizona.

SMU coach Andy Enfield says his team deserved to be in the 68-team NCAA Tournament field even with star guard B.J. Edwards out with an injury. The Mustangs had indicated Edwards could be cleared to play in time for a First Four game against Miami (Ohio). Instead, Edwards sat out as the Mustangs fell to the RedHawks. The NCAA selection committee hinted that Edwards' availability played a factor in giving SMU an at-large berth. Enfield says that Edwards was “a day short” of being ready to play and believes his team was worth of a tournament bid even without Edwards.