As we inch closer to March Madness, college basketball fans are getting a sneak peek into the NCAA's thinking. The NCAA unveiled its in-season top 16 seeds, giving us a taste of what to expect come Selection Sunday on March 15.
Iowa State has been a powerhouse this season, consistently sitting in the top 10 nationally. The Cyclones have earned the fourth overall spot, snagging the final No. 1 seed. With a solid 23-3 record and a 10-3 standing in the Big 12, they’re proving to be a formidable force.
Looking at the regional breakdown, Iowa State is projected to lead the South Region, with UConn, Nebraska, and Texas Tech rounding out the top four seeds. This sets the stage for some thrilling matchups.
Here’s a closer look at the NCAA Tournament selection committee's top 16 teams:
No. 1 Seeds:
- Arizona
- Duke
- Iowa State
- Michigan
No. 2 Seeds:
- UConn
- Houston
- Illinois
- Purdue
No. 3 Seeds:
- Florida
- Gonzaga
- Kansas
- Nebraska
No. 4 Seeds:
- Michigan State
- Texas Tech
- Vanderbilt
- Virginia
Breaking it down by region, here’s how it looks:
South Region: 1.
Iowa State 2.
UConn 3.
Nebraska 4.
Texas Tech
Midwest Region: 1.
Michigan 2.
Houston 3.
Florida 4.
Virginia
West Region: 1.
Arizona 2.
Purdue 3.
Gonzaga 4.
Michigan State
East Region: 1.
Duke 2.
Illinois 3.
Kansas 4.
Vanderbilt
And when it comes to conference representation, the Big 12 and Big 10 are leading the pack with five teams each, followed by the ACC and SEC with two apiece. The Big East and WAC each have one team in the mix.
With the conference tournaments still to come, there’s plenty of basketball left to play. But if these rankings are any indication, we’re in for an electrifying NCAA Tournament. Keep an eye on these top seeds as they battle for supremacy and a shot at the championship.