We’re a week away from Selection Sunday, and at least one of the No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament is up for grabs.
As of March 6, Ohio State, Kansas and Pittsburgh look like safe bets to be No. 1 seeds, regardless of what they they do in their conference tournaments this week. There are four other teams out there that have a decent shot at claiming the fourth No. 1 seed. Here’s a hint: Texas is not one of them.
Take a look at these blind profiles to determine which team is most worthy for that No. 1 spot. This exercise is similar to how the selection committee picks teams for the top spots and final bids in the NCAA Tournament.
Team A (27-3, 14-2 in No. 6 conference)
RPI: 3
Strength of schedule: 20
Record vs. RPI top 50: 9-1
Record on road/neural courts: 15-2
Best wins: vs. 4, at 4, vs. 17 (neutral), vs. 19, at 26, vs. 26
Worst losses: vs. 71, at 71, vs. 35 (neutral)
Team B (27-4, 13-3 in No. 4 conference)
RPI: 5
Strength of schedule: 33
Record vs. RPI top 50: 7-3
Record on road/neutral courts: 10-4
Best wins: vs. 7, vs. 18 (neutral), vs. 28, vs. 29
Worst losses: at 65, at 47, at 22, at 7
Team C (25-5, 14-4 in No. 2 conference)
RPI: 8
Strength of schedule: 34
Record vs. RPI top 50: 10-4
Record on road/neutral courts: 8-5
Best wins: at 6, vs. 10, vs. 13 (neutral), vs. 20, vs. 22, vs. 23, at 23
Worst losses: at 67, at 22, at 16, at 15, vs. 12 (neutral)
Team D (25-6, 14-4 in No. 2 conference)
RPI: 9
Strength of schedule: 24
Record vs RPI top 50: 6-3
Record on road/neutral courts: 9-6
Best wins: vs. 2, vs. 13, vs. 41, at 41
Worst losses: at 165, at 62, vs. 54 (neutral), at 15, at 13, at 2
Answer key:
Team A: BYU
Team B: Duke
Team C: Notre Dame
Team D: Purdue
