This Simulated NCAA Tournament Bracket Has Some College Basketball Fans Upset

Following the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA men's and women's championship tournaments, college basketball fans have been given a look at what could have been.

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Image via Getty/Patrick Smith

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Following the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA men's and women's championship tournaments, college basketball fans have been given a look at what could have been. Concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus have impacted public events across the country, and the NCAA championship tournaments are no exception. As if to rub salt in the wounds of those that were looking forward to March Madness, a projected tournament bracket has been created to see who could have won if the games went ahead.

Jerry Palm of CBS Sports made the projected NCAA tournament bracket, and his colleague Gary Parrish used this to simulate the games going off player data. Interestingly, the simulation saw Duke, Dayton, Florida State, and Gonzaga facing off in the final four. Ultimately, though, Dayton came out the champions in the simulation.

FWIW: @SportsLine took @jppalmCBS’s final projected NCAA Tournament bracket and simulated the games. Here are the results:

FINAL FOUR: Duke vs. Dayton, Florida State vs. Gonzaga.

TITLE GAME: Dayton vs. Gonzaga

CHAMPION: Dayton pic.twitter.com/QAH2FucYrm

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) March 13, 2020

Needless to say, Dayton fans had a lot to say about the simulation. Many highlighted how strong the Flyers team is right now, making the cancellation of the games hurt worse since it could be a while before there's such a strong lineup again. While it's safe to say this might not have been how these games would have gone, there's not much else for fans to discuss following one of the craziest days in sports history.

See what Twitter had to say about the simulated tournament bracket below.

Man, I feel for Dayton fans. Unlikely to ever have a team this good for the rest of their lives.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 13, 2020

Nope. pic.twitter.com/TKKswS40Qs

— John Yaglenski (@levelbest) March 13, 2020

Yeah, history says that’s wrong

— Bradley P (@bradley187) March 13, 2020

Couldn't have said it better myself.

— P Go 🇺🇦 (@pdxjayhawk) March 13, 2020

Pls stop https://t.co/Y5v0x0Z1Lc

— Conner Tumbusch (@CTumbusch) March 13, 2020

This definitely felt like the year for a team from a non-power league to take the title.

Go on and claim it, Dayton. Zero issues here. Screw the detractors. https://t.co/eFthI7NVuH

— Mike B 🐻🐅 (@HLMike44) March 13, 2020

If I was a Dayton fan I’d be sooooo bummed right now. https://t.co/plt6qCwwen

— THE Mighty Alaskan Ute (@MightyAlaskaUte) March 13, 2020

The computer thought the #CUBuffs would win a game? https://t.co/sAhnoOJ8oo

— Mitchell Byars (@mitchellbyars) March 13, 2020

I reject Illinois losing to Duke in Round 2 https://t.co/rcxyqRj83M

— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) March 13, 2020

Would Alabama fans claim this championship because of Anthony Grant? https://t.co/XRhRmMUaLT

— Creg Stephenson the First (@CregStephenson) March 13, 2020

Sure, kick us while we’re down. https://t.co/ACtM6VqM7S

— Sean Breslin (@Sean_Breslin) March 13, 2020

Little bro went to Dayton... bet he's pretty disappointed after seeing this 😬 https://t.co/fuIbjWkHA6

— Allison Croghan (@AllisonCroghan) March 13, 2020

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