The states colored green, yellow and blue are states that the South bracket says have been unjustly controlled by the NCAA Tournament selection committee for decades.

The decision was met with great rejoicing by thousands throughout the South. “Old Dixie rises again,” declared Thomas Darby of Birmingham, AL.

First round games in Birmingham, Nashville and Tampa have all been suspended until a resolution can be reached. The two South region games slated for Spokane, WA may still be played.

Representatives from the South bracket point to “unconstitutional nationalization” of the NCAA tournament selection process, as well as unequal representation on the tournament selection committee, as the primary reasons for seceding.

“States and teams have sovereign rights to determine where they play,” said South bracket spokesman Jefferson Pynchon. “The current NCAA Tournament selection process denies us that God-given right and we will not stand for it. We have a tyrannical committee in place; a committee that is sitting up in Indianapolis making decisions that affect the lives and careers of athletes from Southern schools. This is unfair and unjust.”

The South bracket claimed 12 southern schools – including No. 1 ranked Kentucky and ACC power Wake Forest – were forced to play outside the South against their will. Only seven southern schools were placed in the South region.

“The NCAA basically said ‘take it or leave it’ to 12 proud southern institutions and tried to send them up north and out west,” said Pynchon. “We won’t stand for it. We’ll see if the NCAA can run a successful tournament without us.”

NCAA President Myles Brand refused to comment on the South’s actions until after speaking with representatives from the bracket.