Three SEC teams are looking for a No. 1 seed heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Tennessee is the best bet among the three to get there. The Volunteers are the team in the spotlight the next two weeks. They have a Net ranking of No. 5, and sit at No. 6 in the KenPom rankings. They face No. 11 Auburn on Tuesday before a road trip to No. 14 Alabama on Saturday. Then, Tennessee has a road trip to No. 18 South Carolina (March 6) before the home finale against No. 16 Kentucky (March 9).
Would that lead to a break-through for Rick Barnes? Tennessee has been seeded No. 5 or higher each of the last five years, but they have never been a No. 1 seed and never reached the Final Four. This week could set Tennessee up later with a path to get there.
This year's Final Four is April 6-8 at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix.
UConn, Houston, Purdue and North Carolina are our No. 1 seeds.
DECOURCY'S DOZEN: Top 12 teams, plus some Player of the Year talk
We also will break down the tournament bubble each week, too. Right now our last four in are Northwestern, Wake Forest, Seton Hall and Colorado. That is bound to change with each week.
Who is our Field of 68? Here is a closer look:
* - Projected automatic bid
NCAA tournament Field of 68 projections
No. 1 Seeds
*UConn (25-3, 15-2 Big East)
Resume: Net: 3, KenPom: 3. The Huskies bounced back from the 85-66 loss to Creighton with a 78-54 victory against Villanova. Danny Hurley has UConn at 9-3 in Quad 1 – which is tied with Purdue for most Quad 1 victories.
*Purdue (25-3, 14-3 Big Ten)
Resume: Net: 2, KenPom: 3. The Boilermakers also have a 9-3 record in Quad 1 and have a home game Saturday against Michigan State. Zach Edey is on his way to another Player of the Year with averages of 23.7 ppg. and 11.8 rpg.
*Houston (24-3, 11-3 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 1, KenPom: 1. Houston also has a compelling case for the top overall seed. The Cougars have won five in a row and have three games against unranked opponents before the regular-season finale against Kansas on March 9.
*North Carolina (21-6, 13-3 ACC)
Resume: Net: 9, KenPom: 10. The Tar Heels are 7-4 in Quad 1 and are back on the top line. Armando Bacot has six straight double-doubles, and the next three games are at home before the regular-season finale at Duke.
No. 2 Seeds
*Arizona (21-6, 12-4 Pac-12)
Resume: Net: 4, KenPom: 4. A 77-74 loss to Washington State was likely the Wildcats’ last game against a ranked opponent in the regular season. Arizona closes with Oregon, UCLA and USC – and they’ll need to be perfect to have a shot at a No. 1 seed.
*Tennessee (21-6, 11-3 SEC)
Resume: Net: 5, KenPom: 6. The Vols remain a candidate to snag a No. 1 seed out of the SEC, but they will need to improve a 4-5 record in Quad 1. Transfer Dalton Knecht (20.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg.) continues to shine.
Marquette (21-6, 12-4 Big East)
Resume: Net: 12, KenPom: 13.The Golden Eagles are 10-1 in their last 11 games, and the only loss was to UConn. Marquette’s next two games are at Creighton (March 2) and the return home game against UConn (March 6). There is a chance to move up.
Kansas (21-6, 9-5 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 14, KenPom: 15. Kansas might have to hold on here. The Jayhawks are 3-2 in their last five games, and three of their last four games are against ranked opponents in BYU (Feb. 27), Baylor (March 2) and Houston (March 9).
No. 3 Seeds
Iowa State (20-5, 9-3 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 8, KenPom: 11. The Cyclones are creeping toward a No. 2 seed, and a 10-6 record against Quads 1-2 is a solid look. Keshon Gilbert (14.1 ppg.) leads four Iowa State players who average double-figures.
Alabama (19-8, 11-3 SEC)
Resume: Net: 6, KenPom: 7. The Crimson Tide remain in the hunt with the top-tier SEC teams, and they can prove it Saturday against Tennessee. The Vols won the first matchup 91-71 on Jan. 20.
Duke (21-6 12-4 ACC)
Resume: Net: 10, KenPom: 9. The Blue Devils have a strong ranking combination despite the 83-79 loss to Wake Forest. Kyle Filipowski suffered a right leg injury when Demon Deacons’ fans stormed the court. Duke is 6-3 in Quad 1.
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Baylor (19-8, 8-6 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 16, KenPom: 14. The Bears lost to BYU and Houston last week – which isn’t a major issue. Yet the schedule does not soften this week with Monday’s matchup against TCU and a Saturday matchup against Kansas.
No. 4 seeds
Auburn (21-6, 10-4 SEC)
Resume: Net: 7, KenPom: 5. The Tigers are the lowest-seeded team with top-10 rankings in both Net and KenPom, and something that to monitor. Auburn plays at Tennessee on Wednesday. Bruce Pearl is 7-5 against Tennessee – where he coached from 2005-11.
Creighton (20-8, 11-6 Big East)
Resume: Net: 11, KenPom: 12. The Bluejays beat UConn 85-66 then lost to St. John’s 80-66. The Bluejays’ tough stretch continues against Seton Hall and Marquette this week.
BYU (19-8, 7-7 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 13, KenPom: 18. The Cougars have split their last four games, but Mark Pope has negotiated a tough conference schedule with a .500 record. BYU plays at Kansas on Tuesday.
Illinois (20-7, 11-5 Big Ten)
Resume: Net: 14, KenPom: 11. The Illini’s next two games are at Wisconsin (March 2) and at home against Purdue (March 5). This team could trend anywhere between the No. 2 and No. 6 lines as a result.
No. 5 seeds
San Diego State (21-7, 10-5 MWC)
Resume: Net: 18, KenPom: 16. The Aztecs are 5-7 in Quad 1 and split with Utah State in the regular season. The Aztecs close the regular season with three unranked opponents. Forward Jaedon Ledee (20.6 ppg., 8.3 rpg.) continues to shine.
Wisconsin (18-9, 10-6 Big Ten)
Resume: Net: 22, KenPom: 22. The Badgers got back on track with a 74-70 victory against Maryland, and they need to avoid a trap at Indiana on Tuesday before facing Purdue and Illinois.
Kentucky (19-8, 9-5 SEC)
Resume: Net: 19, KenPom: 17. Kentucky lost to LSU 75-74 then beat Alabama 117-95. This John Calipari team is going to be the most difficult team to pick on your bracket in a month. The Wildcats are 5-5 against Quad 1 teams.
Clemson (19-8, 9-7 ACC)
Resume: Net: 23, KenPom: 24. The Tigers move up a line after avoiding upsets against Georgia Tech and Florida State, and that theme must continue against Pitt and Notre Dame this week in order to stay on this line.
No. 6 seeds
Texas Tech (19-8, 8-6 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 35, KenPom: 31. The Red Raiders are 3-5 in their last eight games, but that Big 12 strength of schedule will be helpful. A sweep against Texas and West Virginia this week would not hurt.
Utah State (22-5, 10-4 MWC)
Resume: Net: 29 KenPom: 40. Utah State is going to be a polarizing seed, but the low ranking combination might lead the Aggies to slide down a line. All-Namer Great Osobor, a United Kingdom native, averages 17.8 ppg. and 9.1 rpg.
*Saint Mary's (23-6, 14-0 West Coast)
Resume: Net: 15, KenPom: 23. We will not under-value the Gaels, who still have not lost in conference play. Saint Mary’s has two Quad 3 losses, but that does not bother us as much.
*Dayton (21-5, 11-3 Atlantic-10)
Resume: Net: 20, KenPom: 26. The Flyers are behind Richmond and Loyola in the Atlantic-10 standings, and road losses at VCU and George Mason might resurface later.
No. 7 seeds
Washington State (21-7, 12-5 Pac-12)
Resume: Net: 31, KenPom: 33. The Cougars beat Arizona 77-74, then had their eight-game win streak snapped by Arizona State in a 73-61 loss. That is why the Cougars remain on this line.
South Carolina (22-5, 10-4 SEC)
Resume: Net: 48, KenPom: 48. Lamont Paris has done an excellent job, and a 9-3 record in Quads 1-2 means the Gamecocks’ ranking combination just does not look right. The volatility of their seeding is high as a result.
Florida (19-8, 9-5 SEC)
Resume: Net: 31, KenPom: 27. The Gators bumped up a line, and a road trip to South Carolina on Saturday will be interesting. Todd Golden has Florida in position for a tournament berth in his second season.
TCU (19-8, 8-6 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 36, KenPom: 32. The Horned Frogs might look a little under-seeded, but they need to improve on a 3-7 record in Quad 1.
No. 8 seeds
Oklahoma (19-8, 7-7 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 39, KenPom: 38. The Sooners leave a little bit to be desired with their rankings, but a .500 record in conference play will keep them on this line.
Michigan State (17-11, 9-8 Big Ten)
Resume: Net: 24, KenPom: 20. Back-to-back home losses to Iowa and Ohio State were brutal, and Purdue is up next. The ranking combination is strong, but the Spartans are losing too many games.
Colorado State (20-8, 8-7 MWC)
Resume: Net: 27, KenPom: 29. The Rams have a resume befitting a higher seed, but they dropped after back-to-back road losses to New Mexico and UNLV.
Mississippi State (19-8, 8-6 SEC)
Resume: Net: 28, KenPom: 28. The Bulldogs move up after victories against Ole Miss and LSU. Will that stick? We’ll find out against Kentucky and Auburn.
Rest of the field ...
No. 9 seeds
New Mexico (21-7, 9-6 MWC)
Resume: Net: 26, KenPom: 32.
Gonzaga (22-6, 12-2 West Coast)
Resume: Net: 21, KenPom: 21.
Boise State (19-8, 10-4 MWC)
Resume: Net: 32, KenPom: 42.
Nebraska (20-8, 10-7 Big Ten)
Resume: Net: 41, KenPom: 34.
No. 10 seeds
Texas (17-10, 6-8 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 40, KenPom: 36.
Nevada (22-6, 9-5 MWC)
Resume: Net: 42, KenPom 41.
*FAU (21-7, 11-4 AAC)
Resume: Net: 37, KenPom: 35.
*Princeton (21-3, 9-2 Ivy)
Resume: Net: 51, KenPom: 64.
No. 11 seeds
Virginia (20-8, 11-6 ACC)
Resume: Net: 49, KenPom: 66.
*Indiana State (24-5, 15-3 MVC)
Resume: Net: 33, KenPom: 46.
**Northwestern (19-9, 10-6 Big Ten)
Resume: Net: 53, KenPom: 43.
**Wake Forest (18-9, 10-6 ACC)
Resume: Net: 25, KenPom: 19.
**Seton Hall (18-9, 11-5 Big East)
Resume: Net: 61, KenPom: 56.
**Colorado (18-9, 9-7 Pac-12)
Resume: Net: 34, KenPom: 30.
No. 12 seeds
Richmond (20-7, 12-2 Atlantic-10)
Resume: Net: 72, KenPom: 76.
*South Florida (21-5, 14-1 AAC)
Resume: Net: 84, KenPom 93.
*McNeese (24-3, 13-1 Southland)
Resume: Net: 52, KenPom: 65.
*Grand Canyon (24-4, 14-3 WAC)
Resume: Net: 59, KenPom: 68.
No. 13 seeds
*Samford (25-4, 14-2 Southern)
Resume: Net: 68, KenPom: 72.
*Appalachian State (24-5, 14-2 Sun Belt)
Resume: Net: 74, KenPom: 81.
*UC-Irvine (20-8, 13-3 Big West)
Resume: Net: 80, KenPom: 80.
*Louisiana Tech (20-8, 10-3 C-USA)
Resume: Net: 82, KenPom: 78.
No. 14 seeds
*Akron (20-7, 12-2 MAC)
Resume: Net: 95, KenPom: 97.
*Vermont (23-6, 13-1 America East)
Resume: Net: 100, KenPom: 99.
*Charleston (22-7, 13-3 CAA)
Resume: Net: 102, KenPom: 112.
*High Point (23-6, 12-2 Big South)
Resume: Net: 111, KenPom: 113.
No. 15 seeds
*Oakland (19-11, 14-5 Horizon)
Resume: Net: 130, KenPom: 130.
*Eastern Washington (18-10, 12-3 Big Sky)
Resume: Net: 129, KenPom: 138.
*Colgate (20-9, 14-2 Patriot)
Resume: Net: 136, KenPom: 147.
**South Dakota State (17-12, 10-4 Summit)
Resume: Net: 162, KenPom: 162.
No. 16 seeds
*Fairfield (18-10, 10-5 MAAC)
Resume: Net: 158, KenPom 171.
**Merrimack (18-10, 12-2 Northeast)
Resume: Net: 202, KenPom: 203.
**Eastern Kentucky (17-11, 12-2 A-Sun)
Resume: Net: 194, KenPom: 184.
*Little Rock (18-11, 12-4 OVC)
Resume: Net: 213, KenPom: 217.
**Norfolk State (18-9, 8-2 MEAC)
Resume: Net: 228, KenPom: 255.
**Grambling (14-13, 11-3)
Resume: Net: 289, KenPom: 280.
Bubble Watch
Cincinnati (16-11, 5-9 Big 12)
Resume: Net: 37, KenPom: 36. The Big 12 schedule might not be enough to get a 10th bid. Plus, Kansas State (16-11, 6-8) has a better conference record.
St. John's (16-12, 8-9 Big East)
Resume: Net: 44, KenPom: 39. Rick Pitino has St. John's in the tournament hunt, but a 2-9 record in Quad 1 needs work.
Ole Miss (19-8, 6-8 SEC)
Resume: Net: 75, KenPom: 74. The Rebels have lost five of six games and play Alabama on Tuesday. That’s a huge spot for Ole Miss.
Pitt (18-9, 9-7 ACC)
Resume: Net: 47, KenPom: 51. The Panthers have won six of seven games and can impress the committee with a victory against Clemson on Tuesday.
