The top line remains unchanged in our updated bracketology, with Auburn, Duke, Alabama and Florida continuing to occupy the No. 1 seeds with less than four weeks left until Selection Sunday.
But the stiff competition for the top line could result in some changes following a run of key games this weekend involving the best teams in college basketball.
The No. 1 seed closest to being replaced is Alabama, which lost 110-98 to Missouri on Thursday. The Crimson Tide have dropped two in a row and are now two games behind the Auburn in the SEC. They’ll look to rebound at home on Saturday evening against Kentucky.
Houston and Tennessee are in position to take advantage if the Tide’s tumble continues.
The Cougars will host Iowa State on Saturday in the only scheduled regular-season meeting between the two best teams in the Big 12. Houston then turns around to take on Texas Tech in Lubbock on Monday night.
Saturday also finds the Volunteers playing Texas A&M on the road, looking to add a ninth Quad 1 win while climbing back into the top four in the conference standings.
STARTING FIVE: SEC, Big 12 showdowns lead weekend games to watch
The Cyclones, Cougars and Volunteers are joined on the No. 2 line by newcomer Wisconsin, winners of five in a row and six of seven. The Badgers could keep on stacking wins heading into the Big Ten tournament thanks to an unintimidating home stretch: Oregon and Washington at home, Michigan State and Minnesota away, and then back home for Penn State.
And Kansas continues to take a nosedive down the bracket. The Jayhawks are down to a No. 7 seed after Tuesday night’s 91-57 humiliation at Brigham Young.
Bracketology: NCAA Tournament field projection
Last four in
San Diego State, Virginia Commonwealth Wake Forest, Arkansas.
First four out
North Carolina, Xavier, Georgia, Boise State.
NCAA Tournament bids conference breakdown
Multi-bid leagues: SEC (12), Big Ten (10), Big 12 (8), ACC (4), Big East (4), Mountain West (3), Atlantic 10 (2), West Coast (2).