NCAA Tournament Projections: No. 1 Seeds Shakeup
NCAA Tournament projections looking at No. 1 seeds following a wild weekend of upsets and shakeups.
Gonzaga lost its first game of the season over the weekend, giving an opening the door for a different team from the West to take its place as a projected one seed going into the conference tournaments. Here’s where I see it right now.
Kansas
The Jayhawks earn the NCAA Tournament’s overall No. 1 seed. Seven wins over the top 25 mean Rock Chalk is battle tested. Winners of a ridiculous 13 straight Big 12 conference title, KU is a brand name. Behind Frank Mason III, Kansas has proven the ability to win on the road and also in close ones.
Villanova
The reigning champs once again have the look of a championship caliber team. Only Butler has this team’s number, the other loss coming to Marquette. Nova is your Big East gold standard for the fourth consecutive season. Josh Hart is the kind of star that can put a team on his back.
North Carolina
With nine wins over RPI top 50 teams, the Tar Heels are the most dangerous team in college basketball right now. The return of Theo Pinson gives this team that glue guy spark plug with immense impact. A pair of back to back wins over Virginia and Louisville solidified UNC’s place as an NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed.
UCLA
The Bruins are playing their best basketball right now. Winners of seven straight, two of those victories came against Oregon and Arizona. For now I have the Bruins as a top line team, but ultimately whoever wins the Pac-12 will earn that No. 1 seed.
