This is a thread to see what people think the number one seeds in March Madness should be. This thread can be updated as the season continues, but right now give your oppinions as if the tournament would start today. For the first one seed, you have to give it to Illinois. Even if they haven't played as tough of teams as some of the other top teams, they are undefeated and you can't dispute that. For the second one, I go with North Carolina. Yes, for the talent they have they probably shouldn't have any losses. But, with their record and talent I see them pretty easily getting the number one seed along with another ACC team. And that team in my eyes is Wake Forest. They have beat the tough teams, and lost a few bad games. But, they are a sure powerhouse, and I think they deserve it too. And for he last seed, I am giving it to Kansas. The Big Twelve isn't as tough this year as it usually is, but Kansas is still right up there with the big names. So we have Illinois, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Kansas. What does everyone else see?
Pretty good idea, Pure. I can't wait until Tourney time! It's the best time of the year for me! Okay, no doubt that Illinois is a number one seed right now. I mean, look at the teams they've beaten so far- Gonzaga, Wake Forest, Cincinnati, Wisconsin(2 times), Michigan State, and Iowa(two times). And they've managed to not even lose a game somehow. Wake Forest should too be a #1 seed. They're playing in the toughest conference in america IMO, and have a 22-3 record(10-2 in conference play). They've beaten some quality opponents as well like Arizona, Texas, North Carolina, Cincinnati, and Duke. They have had two bad losses to Georgia Tech and Florida State. But I think if they can beat Duke on the 20th, then they have a really good shot at getting a 1 seed. Another ACC team that deserves a 1 seed is North Carolina. I feel that the loss to Santa Clara was a fluke, and considering that they were without guard Raymond Felton hurt them badly. But you have to look at some of the teams that they've beaten like Kentucky, UConn, Maryland, and Georgia Tech while Elder was in the lineup. So, I think they have a very good shot at getting a 1 seed if they win at least 5 of their next 6. And for the last 1 seed, I think it should go to Boston College. They've got overlooked a lot this season, and had an undefeated record until Notre Dame beat them a game or two ago. They've beaten the teams they've had to beat and have beat some quality opponents such as UConn, West Virigina(when ranked 24), and UCLA. They've got three tough games coming up- Syracuse at home, Villanova on the road, and Pittsburgh at home. I think of they can at least won two of those, then you'll see them with a 1 seed; if not, then it may go to Kansas.
I think that there are ten serious candidates for those four #1 seeds. Nobody knows how the season is going to shake down, so I'm going to post what I think that each of those teams needs to do to secure a #1 seed. Illinois - They're the only team that I confidently feel will get a #1 seed. They have two automatic wins in Northwestern and Purdue coming up, and then they play against Iowa and Ohio State. Odds are they will blow both Iowa and Ohio State out, but even in the very unlikely event that they lose those two games and the first round game of the Big Ten tournament then I still feel that they are a lock. Kansas - Kansas is looking pretty good, but they could very easily blow it. They just lost to Texas Tech and now have three straight losable games against Iowa State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. It's very possible that they'll go 1-2 or even 0-3 in that stretch. If you add in an early Big 12 Tournament exit to an 1-2 stretch, I'd take the #1 seed away from them. If they finish any other way than that, I'd give it to them. Boston College - It's sad that a Big East team (best conference in the nation) with one loss and an average nonconference schedule is ranked behind teams with three losses. Hopefully, the selection commitee won't look at them the same way that the ESPN poll voters do, because if the NCAA season ended today I'd think they'd have to be a lock for the #1 seed. However, that doesn't seem very realistic. They've got the one of the toughest final stretches in the nation. They play Syracuse, at Villanova, and Pittsburgh. If I had a prediction, I'd have to say that they'd go 1-2 in that stretch with the win coming against 'Nova or Pitt. If that is the case, then I'd think that they'd need to win the Big East tournament or at least make it to the Big East finals while upsetting Syracuse/UConn on the way to get a #1 seed, because a 24-4 record is not going to get Boston College a #1 seed. Wake Forest - You've got to love Wake's chances at a #1 seed. They've got a bunch of quality wins under their belt, such as George Washington, Arizona, Texas, Cincinnati, Maryland, North Carolina, and Duke. However, Wake Forest is also a team that can blow it against mediocre teams, such as Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech (or maybe it's just that they don't do good against the Tech's). Seeing how they have a tendancy to win big games and lose the smaller ones, I can see them beating Duke this Sunday but then losing to Georgia Tech or NC State before the season is out. Their seeding really comes down to the ACC tournament. If they win it, then they're a lock for the #1. If they beat UNC/Duke and lose in the ACC Finals, then I still think they're a lock for the #1. However, if they lose in the early rounds and lose to either GTech or NC State coming up, then I don't think that they'd still be deserving of a #1. Duke - It remains a mystery to me why UNC is ranked higher than Duke. The Blue Devils actually picked up some quality non-conference wins against Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Temple. However, they've sort of collapsed in ACC play. They've played the other three good ACC teams (UNC, Wake, and Maryland) a total of four times so far and have a 1-3 record against them. It doesn't get much easier either. They play Wake Forest coming up and then they have to play at UNC (I could very easily see this game deciding the final #1 seed). If they lose those two games, they'd need to win the ACC tournament to get the #1 seed. If they split those two games, then I think they'd at least need to get to the ACC finals, because when you have a record with 5 losses on it, it's hard to get a #1 seed. North Carolina - The NCAA is in love with the Tarheels. They've got Duke coming up, but other than that they have a pretty easy stretch of games. Out of all the teams in the NCAA, the Tarheels are also the most likely to get the #1 seed with 4-5 losses. If they beat Duke, I think that locks a #1 seed for them. If they lose but get at least one solid win in the ACC tournament, then I think that they'd still have a better than average chance at a #1 seed. Michigan State - Don't start yelling "fan bias" just yet. The Spartans only have four losses as of now and have only two in league play. They need to do three things to get the #1 seed. First, they need to finish out the season without losing (including beating Wisconsin). Second, they need to win the Big Ten Tournament (including a win over Illinois and Wisconsin/Iowa). Third, they need to just get lucky with the outcomes of the other games around the nation. If North Carolina, Duke, and Wake Forest all have five losses and Michigan State has four (including winnning the Big 10 tourny), then I'd put Michigan State as the #1 seed over at least two of the three. Kentucky - They're young and overrated. I've always felt that way. They only have three losses right now, but they only have two top 50 RPI wins. If the 'Cats finish out SEC play without another loss and win the SEC tournament, then they have a very good chance at a #1 seed. However, if they don't win the SEC tournament or pick up a conference loss then I wouldn't give them the #1 seed. They'll be another team out there like UNC, Duke, or Michigan State with 4-5 losses that is more deserving. Oklahoma State - If they finish out the season undefeated and win the Big 12 Tournament over Kansas, then I think that they lock the #1 seed regardless of what the other teams do. However, if they lose to Texas, Texas Tech, or Kansas coming up, then I wouldn't give them the #1 seed. There will be other teams with 4-5 losses that are more deserving, just like in Kentucky's case. Also, even finishing with only four losses is unlikely. That game at Kansas is almost an automatic L and the chance that they'll win the Big Twelve tourny while beating Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech in the regular season are slim.
I agree with your thoughts, Voodoo Child. And UKOwnstheSEC, March Madness is definately the best time of year. People get hyped for the Superbowl and World Series, but for me it is college hoops.
I am going to update my seeds because some key teams have lost. <u>Still In</u> Illinois is still easily a number one pick. They have tread through the entire season being undefeated. North Carolina hasn't done anything to hurt their stock. I will still predict them being a number one seed when March rolls around. Wake Forest also remains a number one seed in my mind. <u>Who is Out</u> Kansas has hurt their chances at a number one seed with a recent loss to Iowa State. <u>Who is in Now</u> Boston College deserves considerable attention. After beating ninth ranked Syracuse last night, Boston College placed their bid for a number one seed.
Boston College North Carolina Illinois Wake Forest are my 4 number 1 seeds. I would of had Kansas in there but you can't lose back to back games against un-seeded teams and still expect to deserve a number 1 ranking over a team like BC. Wake, Illinois and UNC seem like certain locks to get a 1st seed. It's just a shame that Boston College don't get to face teams like UNC, Wake and Duke. It would be far more interesting If they could measure up to the bigger name teams.
every other day Every other day it seems another team with a chance at a number 1 seed loses except illinois .... no one seems to want a #1 seed
Illinois- Undefeated, nothing else you can say. Oklahoma State- Yes they lost to Kansas, but Kansas lost 2 straight before that. North Carolina- They have beaten so many good teams and definately deserve a #1 seed. Boston College- Overall solid team, they have a great record too. It's hard to make a choice between Duke and Wake Forest so I say non of those guys get one.
Here are my #1 seeds: Illinois - They could lose in the first round of their conference tournament and would still be a guarenteed #1 seed. They are the only team that has a guarenteed #1 seed. North Carolina - I have them winning the ACC and winning the ACC pretty much guarentees you a #1 seed. Even if they lose to Duke twice, I still see them getting a #1 seed because the Selection Committee takes into account rivalry games. Kansas - Considering the Committee takes into account how a team does with injuries they deserve a spot. If they win out, they will win the Big 12. Yes I know they lost three in a row, however in two of those they were playing without Moody. Moody just gets it done plain and simple. In addition thier non-conference schedule was absolutely brutal and if I am correct they have a RPI of 1. Wake Forest - This spot is the toughest to determine because there are a few teams who have a claim to this spot(notably Kentucky if they win out). I think it is going to go to Wake Forest because of the east-coast bias of the selection committee as well as how well they are playing as of late.
Illinois, North Carolina, Duke and Boston College. Although by the time this is posted that will have probably changed such is the nature of College Hoops!!!
BC got waxed by 22 on their homecourt last night to Pitt. That huge loss is going to hurt them when deciding the number 1 seeds. With that result I think after Illinois UNC Wake the last spot is up for grabs.
Illinois North Carolina Wake Forest Kentucky Duke also has a shot, if they can win out and possibly win the ACC Tourny. Boston College after the big loss to Pitt will probably not get a numbe rone seed, instead probably anywhere from 2-4.
