2018 NCAA Bracket Picks & Predictions: No. 1 Seed in the Most Danger

2018 NCAA Bracket Picks & Predictions – No. 1 Seed in the Most Danger: For all the upsets and surprises that March Madness has produced over the years, we are still waiting for a No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed in the Round of 64. Needless to say, the smart money is on that streak continuing in this year’s NCAA Tournament. However, crazy things start to happen after the Round of 64, and there is no guarantee that all four No. 1 seeds will survive the first weekend, let alone make it to the Final Four. With that in mind, I’ve looked at all four regions of the NCAA Tournament Bracket and ranked the No. 1 seeds from most likely to lose to the most likely to make a deep run.

2018 NCAA Bracket Picks & Predictions: No. 1 Seed in the Most Danger

1. Xavier Musketeers (West Region)

Xavier earned the final No. 1 seed after winning the Big East regular season title, but the Musketeers have by far the longest odds of any of the top seeds to win it all. Non-traditional powers from non-Power conferences don’t win the NCAA Tournament very often, and Xavier wasn’t part of the Big East when it was arguably the deepest conference in college hoops. Yes, the Musketeers can score in bunches, but they are an average defensive team, and they were run off the court twice by Villanova. They also have potential land mines littered through the West Region. They could end up facing Missouri in the Round of 32, and the Tigers just welcomed back Michael Porter Jr., who could be a Top 5 pick in the NBA Draft. A red hot Michigan team and defending national champion North Carolina are in the bottom of the bracket, and Gonzaga and Ohio State could be waiting in the Sweet 16. I’m just not sure the Musketeers have enough balance to make a Final Four.

2. Kansas Jayhawks (Midwest Region)

The top half of the Midwest Region should be a breeze for the Jayhawks, but you won’t find a more top-heavy portion of the bracket. With Duke and Michigan State sitting as the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, respectively, there are three legitimate national title threats stashed in the Midwest alone. A potentially bigger issue for Kansas is the knee injury to Udoka Azubuike. Without their athletic big man anchoring the paint, the four-guard attack that Kansas like to use to generate offense becomes a major liability on defense. If he isn’t healthy, Kansas won’t advance out of the Midwest. Even with him, they have a tough road.

3. Virginia Cavaliers (South Region)

For being the No. 1 overall seed, I don’t think the selection committee did the Cavaliers many favors. Yes, they have a manageable bracket overall with Cincinnati and Tennessee as the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, respectively, but it’s the potential Sweet 16 matchups that worry me a bit. Virginia will likely have to face either a surging Kentucky team that is loaded with athletes or an Arizona team that has the most dominant player in the country in Deandre Ayton. The Cavaliers are the best defensive team in the country and built a national title run, but they hit a potential speed bump sooner than they should.

4. Villanova Wildcats (East Region)

I don’t think this year’s Villanova team is as balanced on both ends of the court as the national title team or even last year’s team, but with Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson leading the way, these Wildcats might have the best collection of individual talent. Villanova boasts the No. 1 scoring offense in the country, and the Wildcats have six players averaging in double figures and five players who have connected on at least 50 3-pointers. The top of the East Region also gives them the clearest path to the Elite Eight of any of the No. 1 seeds, and I’d argue they have a decidedly weaker No. 2 seed in their region, as well. Yes, Purdue is a good team, but I’d rather see the Boilermakers than North Carolina or Duke. I think the Wildcats are in a good spot.

You can get expert 2018 NCAA Tournament picks and 2018 NCAA Tournament predictions this month from NSAwins.com’s top handicappers plus a pre-filled downloadable and printable 2018 NCAA Tournament Bracket to help you win your office pool!