Our latest edition of bracketology might prompt readers to wonder if one conference has ever produced three No.-1 seeds in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The answer is yes, but it would be a first for the SEC.
It was the ACC that had three top seeds in 2019, the trio of eventual champion Virginia along with usual suspects Duke and North Carolina. Duke is projected to be on the top line once again, but the Blue Devils are alone with SEC contenders this year.
Auburn, of course, has done nothing to lose its place atop the bracket since our initial projection. They’re joined by in-state rival Alabama and fellow SEC member Florida. The Gators move up this week with Iowa State slipping from a No. 1 spot after three losses while dealing with injuries.
Maintaining those lofty perches in the highly competitive league with Selection Sunday still over a month away could be challenging. Then again there are several other contenders from the conference waiting in the wings, including Tennessee back up to a No. 2 after upending Florida on Saturday.
In all, the SEC has seven of the teams seeded No. 4 or higher in our projection. The Big 12 is next with four among the top 16, with three from the Big Ten and one each from the ACC and Big East.
Speaking of the Big 12, Houston remains as a No. 2 with descending Iowa State, but Texas Tech moves up to a top 16 position after beating the Cougars on the road.
Bracketology: NCAA Tournament field projection
Last four in
Ohio State, Brigham Young, Nebraska, Pittsburgh.
First four out
Wake Forest, Virginia Commonwealth, Xavier, North Carolina.
NCAA Tournament bids conference breakdown
Multi-bid leagues: SEC (13), Big Ten (10), Big 12 (8), ACC (4), Big East (4), Mountain West (3), West Coast (2).