LSU Basketball: The NCAA selection committee did the Tigers wrong

LSU basketball must not have any friends on the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

The Tigers are entering the tournament as a No. 8 seed in the East Region with an 18-9 record (and as a runner-up in the SEC championship game).

LSU will take on No. 9 seed St. Bonaventure in the first round.

That’s not a terrible matchup for the Tigers — it’s a game they should certainly win.

But what looms after the first round makes for a daunting path to the Final Four.

And it didn’t necessarily have to be this way for the Tigers.

LSU basketball should have an easier path in the NCAA Tournament

Look, I know LSU isn’t a team that’s considered a major threat to reach the Final Four. There probably won’t be many fans outside of Louisiana that have the Tigers in the Final Four in their brackets.

Part of that is because LSU is an 18-9 team that’s good, not great.

The other reason is because the bracket the Tigers are in is pretty tough.

If LSU makes it past the first round, a likely matchup with No. 1 seed Michigan awaits.

It seems like other teams with similar records to LSU have a much easier path to the Sweet 16 or the Elite 8.

Florida, for example, is 14-9 and earned a No. 7 seed. The Gators will likely play Ohio State in the second round (if both teams advance). That’s a tough matchup, but not quite as tough as playing Michigan.

West Virginia has the same record as LSU, yet they’re a No. 3 seed. The Mountaineers’ path to the Final Four doesn’t feature a matchup with a higher seed until the Sweet 16 (Houston, assuming the higher seeds advance).

I’m not sure why LSU drew a tougher bracket than teams with similar records. Maybe it’s the committee punishing Will Wade. Or maybe the Tigers just aren’t respected.

Whatever the reason, it’s a shame. LSU deserved better this season.