NCAAB · 1 year ago

5 Teams with the Best Chance for a #1 Seed in the NCAA Tournament

David Connelly

Host · Writer

Tennessee (+1500)
The Vols feel like the only legitimate current competition to North Carolina for that last #1 seed. The issue lies in their head-to-head matchup back in late November, where the Tar Heels hung 100 on Tennessee in Chapel Hill. That seems like the tiebreaker between the two, but they aren't far from being among the top quartet.

A loss from either UNC or Houston could mean it's time for a promotion for the Vols, and with matchups against projected tournament teams in South Carolina and Kentucky this week, they could make a serious statement to start February.
Purdue (+700)
Because of an incredible non-conference resume, the Boilermakers are easily the top overall seed in the field as of today. Twelve wins in Quad 1 and 2 is by far the most, with Wisconsin trailing behind with just ten. It helps break their tie of seven Quad 1 wins with Houston and UConn, while they've got the least Quad 4 wins among the bunch, thanks to their tough scheduling.

There may be a debate as to whether or not the Huskies are a better team, but that's not how we determine seeding. Purdue is your top team in the bracket.
UConn (+900)
The Huskies are not far behind, but they'll likely need Purdue to slip up to find themselves as the number one overall seed. While they have the same number of Quad 1 wins and certainly look like they could be the best team in the country, their resume just slightly falls short of the Boilermakers'. The contrast in non-conference scheduling also left UConn with eight Quad 4 wins, making their resume somewhat lopsided.

The Huskies are locked into the top seed line, but they'll need some help to get to number one overall.
Houston (+900)
Kelvin Sampson's squad is tops in both NET and KenPom, yet they likely fall to the third #1 seed due to a lame non-conference schedule. Saturday's matchup against Kansas is a golden opportunity for them to get into the conversation for the top overall seed with both Purdue and UConn. Still, for now, they sit in tier 1A behind both while having a solid case to be atop their own region.

The Cougs are our final team that undoubtedly deserves a top seed as we enter February.
North Carolina (+1300)
This is where things get ambiguous. Most have the Tar Heels as their fourth #1 seed, as do I in my latest bracket projections from Monday. They have put together a solid resume and, while it lacks in Quad 1 wins to the extreme of the trio above them, it clears the others competing for the final #1 seed.

Losses to strong programs in UConn, Villanova, and Kentucky do very little to hinder their resume, and their metrics are fantastic. UNC is legitimate and well-deserving of being a part of the top line.
Tennessee (+1500)
The Vols feel like the only legitimate current competition to North Carolina for that last #1 seed. The issue lies in their head-to-head matchup back in late November, where the Tar Heels hung 100 on Tennessee in Chapel Hill. That seems like the tiebreaker between the two, but they aren't far from being among the top quartet.

A loss from either UNC or Houston could mean it's time for a promotion for the Vols, and with matchups against projected tournament teams in South Carolina and Kentucky this week, they could make a serious statement to start February.
Purdue (+700)
Because of an incredible non-conference resume, the Boilermakers are easily the top overall seed in the field as of today. Twelve wins in Quad 1 and 2 is by far the most, with Wisconsin trailing behind with just ten. It helps break their tie of seven Quad 1 wins with Houston and UConn, while they've got the least Quad 4 wins among the bunch, thanks to their tough scheduling.

There may be a debate as to whether or not the Huskies are a better team, but that's not how we determine seeding. Purdue is your top team in the bracket.

5 Teams with the Best Chance for a #1 Seed in the NCAA Tournament

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