Potential top seeds still making their case for NCAA tournament committee

• At least two of the top seeds in the NCAA tournament are still up for grabs with one week left in regular season play. Auburn and Duke seem to be locks for two of the spots.
• Houston and Tennessee each made their case over the last few days of action and will fight in their conference tournaments to lock it up.
• Other contenders include Florida, St. John’s and Michigan State.

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With one week of regular season play left for most major conferences, the NCAA selection committee will watch closely to determine who’s worthy of a top seed. Two of the four seem set; the other two number ones, however, are up for debate.

Who are the locks right now?

The locks seem to be Auburn and Duke. Expect both programs, with just five losses between them all season, to keep winning through at least the first few rounds of their conference tournaments. With their win over Wake Forest Monday, Duke finished an undefeated season at home. Freshman Cooper Flagg has led the way.

“I think it’s just been it’s been a great year, a long year, for it to be our last game of the year in Cameron just meant a lot,” Flagg said. “So, definitely got a little emotional being a senior night. For all the guys, it was maybe their last home game, so you know, just a little emotion there.”

It was likely Flagg’s last home game as well, but he wouldn’t take the bait when asked whether he was leaving early for the NBA draft.

Who’s in good shape for a #1 seed?

The Houston Cougars are another title contender that continues to roll. With their win over Kansas on Monday, March 3, they now have six straight seasons of 25 wins or more. The best defensive team in the nation, they are holding opponents to just 58 points per game. The Cougars will be tested down the stretch and in the Big 12 tournament, but right now, hold on to a number one seed.

Tennessee is back in the graces of the committee after a bit of a mid-season stumble in the rugged SEC. A two-week stretch with losses to Auburn and then Kentucky twice knocked them down a peg. However, beating Alabama on a buzzer-beater Saturday, March 1, did the trick; they’re back on the one line. Jahmai Mashack hit the game-winner and hopes it’s a springboard to bigger things.

“It’s one of those games where you’ll never forget, and it’s definitely one of those games where I hope sticks with Tennessee history forever,” Mashack said. “I hope it’s something that remains in fans’ hearts. Seeing the effort, seeing the impact that I was able to leave on the floor, not for me but for the team and for the fans.”

Who are the other contenders?

Should one of those teams stumble, there are still a few contenders ready to take that number one seed. Florida could meet Tennessee in the SEC tournament. Legendary coach Rick Pitino has St. John’s at the top of the Big East and 6th in the AP poll. They could step up, as could Michigan State, which just posted four straight wins against ranked opponents.

Since 1985, 25 of the 39 champions have been a #1 seed, good for 64%. We’ll find out on Selection Sunday, March 16, which four teams have the easiest path to a championship.