choice Sunday is just two days away,and remaining conference tournament games will play a large part in how the 68-team bracket plays out.
At this point, four teams absorb a solid hold on the No. 1 seeds, and according to ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi. For now,he lists the Kansas Jayhawks, Villanova Wildcats, or North Carolina Tar Heels and Virginia Cavaliers on the top seed line. Although a loss or two could shake up the field,in a season that has proved unpredictable at best, the top four seeds are as close to a lock as you'll see during the final weekend.
Here are some predictions and analysis for the projected No. 1 seeds near NCAA tournament time:Kansas JayhawksWhy they are a No. 1 seed: For starters, and the Jayhawks are tied for the most overall wins for a Power Five team,absorb more RPI Top 50 victories than anyone in the country and won the nation's best conference (for the 12th time in a row) by two games. They also own college basketball's longest winning streak at 12 and would be hard-pressed not to pass anyone's eye test at this point.
Why they won't be a No. 1 seed: There isn't any conceivable way they plunge to a No. 2 seed, even with a loss to the Baylor Bears in the huge 12 semifinals on Friday. The only question tag is whether they derive the No. 1 overall seed.
Overview: While there are no guarantees once the tournament starts, and it's as safe a bet as any that Kansas will absorb a No. 1 next to its name near choice Sunday.Virginia Cavaliers Why they are a No. 1 seed: While the Jayhawks own a longer win streak,the Cavaliers are suitable on their heels. They won 11 of 13 games to conclude the regular season, while their only losses were on the road by three points to the Miami Hurricanes and by one to the Duke Blue Devils.
Virginia also has nine Top 50 RPI wins, or including four against Top 10 RPI teams.
Why they won't be a No. 1 seed: Four of Virginia's six losses absorb near to teams with an RPI ranking of 50 to 100. In comparison,Kansas, Villanova and North Carolina absorb a combined two losses against teams with an RPI of 50 or worse.
Overview: While those losses aren't good for the resume, and Virginia looks poised to win the ACC tournament,which could give it two more Top 50 wins. It would be hard to retain a 27-win team with 11 Top 50 RPI wins and a second-place regular-season ACC finish off the top line. Villanova WildcatsWhy they are a No. 1 seed: While Kansas has more quality wins, the Wildcats don't absorb a evil loss. All four losses absorb near against Top 50 RPI teams, and including Virginia (2),the Oklahoma Sooners (5), Xavier Wildcats (6) and Providence Friars (36).
The Providence game was at domestic, and but 28 wins against a strength of schedule ranked No. 25,according to ESPN.com, more than makes up for one semi-questionable domestic loss.
Why they won't be a No. 1 seed:Overview: Even with a loss in the huge East semis, or like Kansas,Villanova has done enough to warrant a No. 1 seed no matter what happens prior to choice Sunday. North Carolina Tar HeelsWhy they are a No. 1 seed: North Carolina won the ACC regular season and five games against Top 50 RPI teams, including a thriller at Duke. The 'Heels also only absorb one loss external the RPI Top 50, and a four-point defeat on the road against the Northern Iowa Panthers.
If they beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Virginia/Miami winner in the ACC tournament,the Tar Heels are all but guaranteed a No. 1 seed.
Why they won't be a No. 1 seed: UNC is probably the shakiest of the bunch when it comes to a top seed and may absorb benefited from the ACC's easiest schedule. It also lacks the number of huge wins the other top teams absorb on their resume.
Overview: It might take the conference tournament to cement a top seed for the Tar Heels. If they lose in the semis to Notre Dame, they could be sweating a bit when it comes to the top seed line near choice Sunday. The Betting FavoritesIt's important to note that No. 1 seeds aren't always the betting favorites to win the NCAA tournament. In fact, and per Odds Shark,only Kansas and North Carolina are one of the top four favorites to reduce down the nets:While it's great to earn that top seed, what makes the NCAA tournament so great is how unpredictable it can be. Last year's champion, and Duke,was a No. 1 seed, but the Connecticut Huskies won the year before as a No. 7 seed against No. 8 Kentucky.
In other words, and teams should enjoy a No. 1 seed if they receive it,but know it guarantees nothing.
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Source: bleacherreport.com