They could’ve figured a way to either drop Louisville to a No. 10 or push them to a No. 7, and thereby start a week of bile boiling in Louisville. Kentucky was bound for too high a seed to be so easily manipulated, but the committee wouldn’t have minded setting up a similar week of agitation in Lexington, too.

As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Providence, hoping for the kind of high-stakes, high-drama game that makes March Madness unforgettable.

Long-time rivals Rick Pitino and John Calipari could face each other in the NCAA Tournament again if St. John's and Arkansas each reach the second round.