2013 NCAA Tournament Bracket Predictions: Favorites for the Top 4 #1 Seeds

2013 NCAA Tournament Bracket Picks and Predictions – Favorites for the Top 4 #1 Seeds: The 2012-13 college basketball season has been one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Teams ranked in the top five in the polls drop like flies on a weekly basis, and teams ranked No. 1 in the country have already lost seven times. As a result of all the chaos at the top, the four No. 1 seeds set to be handed out on Selection Sunday in less than three weeks are still very much up in the air. Yes, there are a few teams that have put themselves in prime position to grab a top seed, but the way this year has been going, nothing is set in stone. On that note, here is a look at the how the contenders for the top seeds in the 2013 NCAA Tournament currently stack up.

The Favorites

Yes, they got crushed by the Miami Hurricanes a few weeks ago, but the Duke Blue Devils are still in the driver’s seat for a No. 1 seed. Duke is 24-3 overall, and all three losses have come on the road and without one of their top big men in Ryan Kelly. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils currently rank first in the RPI and own the third-toughest schedule in the country, as well. Throw in an 8-2 mark against teams ranked in the top 50 of the RPI, including wins against Louisville and Ohio State. Barring a collapse down the stretch, Duke should be a top seed in March.

They are up to No. 2 in the country for the first time in program history, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs are cruising to a No. 1 seed. Gonzaga is 27-2 with just two games remaining in the regular season, and while the Bulldogs’ strength of schedule isn’t great, they are 10th in the RPI. Both losses came against quality opponents, including a one-point, buzzer-beater loss at Butler, and they have five wins over teams in the top 50 of the RPI. The Bulldogs are an offensive juggernaut, and if they run the table as they should, they will grab one of the four No.1 seed on Selection Sunday.

Other Contenders                                                                                                    

Until their loss to Minnesota, the Indiana Hoosiers were in great shape to earn a No. 1 seed. Now, the Hoosiers are 24-4 and have work to do. Indiana just lost for the third time as the top-ranked team in the country, and with two games remaining against ranked opponents, the Hoosiers could definitely lose their grip on a top seed if they don’t take care of business. Currently, Indiana ranks eighth in the RPI, has the 21st toughest schedule and is 7-4 against teams in the top 50 of the RPI. Those numbers will go up or down depending on how the Hoosiers handle the final two games and will likely determine whether they end up as a No. 1 or No. 2 seed.

A rough patch saw the Michigan Wolverines lose three times in four games, but all is not lost for their chances of landing a top seed aren’t dead yet. For one, all four of Michigan’s losses have come against teams in the top 15, including three against teams ranked in the top 10 during the aforementioned rough stretch. More importantly, the Wolverines rank sixth in the RPI have two games remaining against top-10 teams in Indiana and Michigan State. Michigan gets both those powerhouses at home, and if they avenge earlier road losses to both, the Wolverines could earn themselves a No. 1 seed.

Although their loss to TCU in unforgivable, the Kansas Jayhawks still have a shot at one of top seeds. They are 24-4 on the season, but more importantly, the Jayhawks rank fourth in the RPI and have the eighth-best strength of schedule. To top it off, Kansas has nine wins against teams in the top 50 of the RPI, giving them the most of any team in the country. The Jayhawks haven’t always looked the part of a No. 1 seed on the court, but if they run the table and win yet another Big 12 title, their overall numbers are going to be tough to ignore when it comes time to dish out the top seeds.

A surprising loss to Wake Forrest was a road block in the Miami Hurricanes run to a No. 1 seed, but it wasn’t a death sentence. Miami is 22-4 overall and still ranks second in the RPI and has the second-best strength of schedule. The Hurricanes also have a road game remaining against Duke, and victory would vault them right back to the top of the list of potential top seeds. On the flip side, three of Miami’s four losses have come against bad teams, including early losses against Florida Gulf Coast and Indiana State. The Hurricanes have been getting a pass for those losses because they weren’t at full strength, but if Miami doesn’t take care of business down the stretch, the selection committee won’t be as forgiving.

The Sleeper

If I told you a team had a 23-4 record, ranked third in the RPI, owned the fourth-toughest schedule and was 7-3 against teams ranked in the top 50 of the RPI, I think most people would agree that they are worthy of being considered for a top seed. If I told you that team was the New Mexico Lobos, I imagine most people would change their tune. Despite no getting much love in the polls, New Mexico looks great on paper. The Lobos also have five games remaining in the regular season before the Mountain West tournament. New Mexico has to run the table the rest of the way, but if the Lobos do and end up with 30-plus wins, they are going to force their way into the conversation for a No. 1 seed.

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