The NCAA tournament field was revealed on Sunday night and a lot of the talk has been about which teams got in and which teams were left out. Now with the tournament set to start in a few days it is time to start focusing on some of the teams that have the potential to win it all.
The one seeds were also hotly debated, like the bubble teams, as many thought Michigan State belonged on the one-line while Oregon and Virginia were questionable. The Final Four has been fully comprised of one seeds just once in the history of the tournament so odds are at least one of these teams will be upset earlier than expected. Let's take a look at each one seed and when they might lose.
Kansas: Many people would agree that Kansas comes into the tournament as the favorite. Kansas dominated the Big 12 yet again this season in a year in which the Big 12 was extremely strong. The selection committee did not do the top overall seed any favors in this bracket though, as the South region is loaded with very good teams. Assuming Kansas gets by Austin Peay, they have the potential to take on UConn in the second round. The Huskies are playing their best basketball of the season right now after winning the AAC tournament and they have a lot of talent. I don't see Kansas losing to UConn but a potential Sweet Sixteen matchup against either Maryland or Cal could spell a lot of trouble for the Jayhawks as both of those teams have a lot of NBA talent.
Earliest Possible Exit: Sweet Sixteen
North Carolina: While Kansas was put in an extremely difficult region, UNC might have actually been put in a tougher one. The East has an under seeded Kentucky as the four and a dangerous 8 vs. 9 matchup for the Tar Heels to potentially play. For my money, North Carolina is the best team in the country but in a single elimination tournament anything can happen. Providence has some NBA guys on their team but have nothing much behind those two so UNC should be able to handle them in a potential matchup. Kentucky is where it could get tricky for North Carolina as the Wildcats have a ton of talent and are coming in extremely hot. Assuming Kentucky gets by Stony Brook and Indiana the Tar Heels will have their work cut out for them in the Sweet Sixteen.
Earliest Possible Exit: Sweet Sixteen
Virginia: Virginia picked up a one seed in the tournament despite not winning the ACC regular season or tournament. This Cavaliers team is very good but many thought they should not have been on the one line. Virginia should have no issues in the first two rounds as Texas Tech and Butler are good but not good enough to scare the Cavs. In the Sweet Sixteen Virginia could possibly face off against Purdue or Iowa State. If Iowa State makes it that far, I like Virginia to win that game. If Purdue gets there, Virginia could be in some trouble. Purdue has a ton of size and is entering the NCAA tournament playing great basketball. Virginia would struggle to match that size and although the Cavaliers are the better team this would be a tough game.
Earliest Possible Exit: Sweet Sixteen
Oregon: The Ducks didn't seem to have that great of a shot at a one seed until they ran through the Pac-12 tournament and spanked Utah in the championship game and now here they are. The Ducks though are the top seed that has the best chance of being upset first in my mind. A potential second round matchup against Saint Joe's is an extremely scary one in that Saint Joe's comes in raging hot and has an NBA player in DeAndre Bembry. Saint Joe's will stretch the floor on Oregon and give them all they can handle. To be clear Oregon is the better team and would still be favored if this matchup were to happen but Saint Joe's would have a good shot of pulling off the upset. Beyond that potential matchup Oregon might have to take on Duke or Baylor in the Sweet Sixteen so they will have to earn a deep run.
Earliest Possible Exit: Round of 32
