The Hunt for a #1 Seed...

Gomez here...

With the polls that were released today, we see a clear picture of five teams that have risen above the rest of the competition. Those teams are Syracuse, Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and Kansas State. After that, there's another group of teams made up of Purdue, Ohio State, Villanova, West Virginia and New Mexico.

Most likely, your number 1 and number 2 seeds are all coming from one those two groups, but ultimately, where they'll end up is yet to be determined, and won't be until Selection Sunday. However, for the sake of passing the time on a boring Monday afternoon, let's break down the teams that are still in the hunt for a #1 seed...

Syracuse: Record 27-2, AP Rank #1,
Coaches Rank #1, RPI Rank #3, SOS #9
Still on the schedule: St. John's, at Louisville, the Big East Tournament
Outlook: I think Syracuse is sitting pretty, even if they were to lose a couple more games, which is very possible considering they'll have a tough trip to Louisville and then a tall task in winning their conference tourney. They only way I see them dropping off the top line is if they lose all three of their remaining games, which is unlikely. Pencil them in as a #1.

Kansas: Record 27-2, AP Rank #2,
Coaches Rank #2, RPI Rank #1, SOS #19
Still on the schedule: Kansas State, at Missouri, Big 12 Tournament
Outlook: The Jayhawks are probably pretty safe too, unless like Syracuse, were to unexpectedly fall apart here at the end of the regular season. Kansas State is tough, but they're playing them at home. However, the road trip to Missouri will be tricky. Still, I look for Kansas to take care of business this week, and even with a loss in the Big 12 tournament, should receive a #1 seed on Selection Sunday.

Kentucky: Record 27-2, AP Rank #3,
Coaches Rank #3, RPI Rank #4, SOS Rank #37
Still on the schedule: at Georgia, Florida, the SEC Tournament
Outlook: The Cats should be okay as long as they win their two regular season games and at least one game in the SEC tourney, which it exactly what will happen, in my opinion. If they win out, including the SEC tourney, they'll have a great shot at the #1 overall seed, depending what happens with Syracuse and Kansas. If they lose a game, say at Georgia, but still manage to win a couple more (Florida at home, a game or two in the SEC tourney), they'll still most likely grab one of the other #1 seeds.

Duke: Record 25-4, AP Rank #4,
Coaches Rank #4, RPI Rank #2, SOS Rank #5
Still on the schedule: at Maryland, North Carolina, ACC Tourney
Outlook: Duke has been rising slow and steady all season and is now in great position to grab a top spot. Of course, they've got two tough games this week, and since they've already lost four games this season, one hiccup could move them down to the second line.

Kansas State: Record 25-4, AP Rank #5,
Coaches Rank #5, RPI Rank #5, SOS Rank #8
Still on the schedule: at Kansas, Iowa State, Big 12 Tourney
Outlook: KState is going to have a tough time grabbing that #1 seed without some lucky breaks. However, with a trip to Kansas and the big 12 tourney still on the schedule, they're most likely going to have a couple more losses before Selection Sunday. Still, Kansas State is still good enough to put a run together and win the big 12 tournament, which would certainly keep them in the mix. Still, I predict a #2 seed for the Wildcats.

The other teams on the outside looking in (Purdue, New Mexico, Villanova, Ohio State and West Virginia) would need everything to go their way, as well as a team or two ahead of them to lose steam. However, consider these teams your other #2 seeds and at least two of the #3 seeds.

What do you think? Share your thoughts and predictions below...