2005 NCAA Tournament Bracket Announced

March 13, 2005

Click here for the 2005 NCAA Tournament bracket

Illinois received the top seed in the 2005 NCAA Tournament, which was announced today.  The Illini started the season 29-0 before losing their final regular season game to Ohio State.  Illinois captured the Big Ten tournament title earlier today, and will open the NCAA tournament Thursday in Indianapolis against Fairleigh Dickinson.

North Carolina, Duke, and Washington received the other number one seeds.  The ACC champion Blue Devils will open the tournament Friday against Delaware State.  The Tar Heels open in Charlotte as well, facing the winner of Tuesday's opening round game between Oakland and Alabama A&M.

Kentucky's loss to Florida in today's SEC championship game enabled the Huskies to grab the final top seed, their first ever.  Washington will face Montana in Boise on Thursday. 

Defending champion Connecticut is the number two seed in the Syracuse region and face Central Florida on Friday.

The Big East and Big 12 each received six bids.  Several conferences placed five teams in the tournament.

Arizona, who faces Utah State Thursday in Boise, has now made the field 21 consecutive seasons, the longest current streak.  Maryland was left out of the tournament for the first time since 1993. 

Click here to see the 2005 NCAA Tournament bracket.