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Bracketology: Searching for No. 1 seeds

Boston College v Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 30: Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers shoots in the first half during a game against the Boston College Eagles at John Paul Jones Arena on December 30, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)

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That search for No. 1 seeds? It may take a while. We have some very good basketball teams. But, at least to this point, we’re absent that handful of elite teams we’ve seen in recent years. So if you’re writing teams on seed lines - including the top line - you might want to use a pencil.

Kansas is squarely back in the race after beating West Virginia in Morgantown. And keep eye on North Carolina, too. The Tar Heels are quietly putting together the type of profile that Selection Committee members traditionally like. They currently own the No. 1 overall SOS (strength of schedule) in the nation, and have six wins over “tourney” teams in today’s bracket update.

Here’s the latest:

UPDATED: January 19, 2018

FIRST FOUR PAIRINGS - Dayton (First Round)


  • LSU vs. SMU | Midwest Region
  • Texas AM vs. UCLA | West Region
  • ROBERT MORRIS vs. NC A&T | East Region
  • FLA GULF COAST vs. JACKSON ST | Midwest Region

BRACKET PROJECTION

EAST - BostonMIDWEST - Omaha
PittsburghDetroit
1) VILLANOVA1) PURDUE
16) NC A&T / ROB MORRIS16) FL GULF CST / JACKSON ST
8) Louisville8) Miami-FL
9) Georgia9) Providence
San DiegoBoise
5) RHODE ISLAND5) Arizona State
12) SOUTH DAKOTA ST12) NEW MEXICO ST
4) Ohio State4) CINCINNATI
13) BUFFALO13) LOUISIANA
DallasNashville
6) Tennessee6) TCU
11) Notre Dame11) LSU / SMU
3) Texas Tech3) Clemson
14) VERMONT14) WILLIAM & MARY
NashvilleWichita
7) Michigan7) Florida
10) Missouri10) Butler
2) North Carolina2) KANSAS
15) IONA15) MONTANA
WEST - Los AngelesSOUTH - Atlanta
CharlotteCharlotte
1) Duke1) VIRGINIA
16) PENNSYLVANIA16) BUCKNELL
8) Texas8) SAINT MARY’S
9) Arkansas9) Marquette
BoiseDallas
5) Seton Hall5) Michigan State
12) Texas AM / UCLA12) MISSOURI STATE
4) Wichita State4) AUBURN
13) BELMONT13) E. TENNESSEE ST
San DiegoDetroit
6) Creighton6) Gonzaga
11) WESTERN KENTUCKY11) NC State
3) ARIZONA3) Xavier
14) S.F. AUSTIN14) WRIGHT STATE
WichitaPittsburgh
7) NEVADA7) Kentucky
10) Alabama10) Florida State
2) Oklahoma2) West Virginia
15) CS-FULLERTON15) RADFORD

NOTES on the BRACKET: Villanova is the No. 1 overall seed - followed by Purdue, Virginia, and Duke

Last Four Byes (at large): Florida State, Missouri, NC State, Notre Dame

Last Four IN (at large): LSU, Texas AM, SMU, UCLA

First Four OUT (at large): Washington, Houston, Baylor, Boise State

Next four teams OUT (at large): Syracuse, Maryland, USC, St. Bonaventure

Breakdown by Conference ...

ACC (9): VIRGINIA, Duke, North Carolina, Clemson, Louisville, Florida State, Miami-FL, Notre Dame, NC State

SEC (9): AUBURN, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, LSU, Texas AM

Big East (7): VILLANOVA, Xavier, Seton Hall, Creighton, Marquette, Providence, Butler

BIG 12 (6): KANSAS, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Texas Tech, TCU, Texas

Big 10 (4): PURDUE, Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan

Pac 12 (3): ARIZONA, Arizona State, UCLA

American (3): CINCINNATI, Wichita State, SMU

West Coast (2): SAINT MARY’S, Gonzaga

Atlantic 10 (1): RHODE ISLAND

Mountain West (1): NEVADA

ONE BID LEAGUES: Missouri State (MVC), Iona (MAAC), Western Kentucky (C-USA), Louisiana (SBELT), Penn (IVY), Montana (BSKY), Wright State (HORIZON), S.F. Austin (SLND), East Tennessee State (STHN), UC-Fullerton (BWEST), Buffalo (MAC), Florida Gulf Coast (ASUN), Belmont (OVC), William & Mary (CAA), Radford (BSO), North Carolina A&T (MEAC), South Dakota State (SUM), New Mexico State (WAC), Vermont (AEAST), Bucknell (PAT), Robert Morris (NEC), Jackson State (SWAC)