Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Wednesday Thoughts on our Top Seed Lines

 

1 Seeds

Arizona – took care of business against BYU, top 4 in both Offense and Defense efficiency

Michigan – Also top ten in both Offense and Defense efficiency.  Only blemish is a loss to Wisconsin who shot the light out.  Teamed up with 3 referees to beat Nebraska last night in a game where they committed 8 fouls in the first 39 minutes and shot 20 more free throws.

Connecticut – Offense isn’t as good as other top tier teams but they played a third of the season below full strength

Duke – continues to cruise with top 5 numbers.  Scheyer is mixing and matching each game differently to win. Is that sustainable?

2 Seeds

Nebraska – Without two of their top four players they out played Michigan, causing 19 turnovers to 11 but somehow shot 20 less free throws and committed more than twice as many fouls as the Wolverines.

Gonzaga – Same story every year; how battle tested are they?  Playing without 2 starters at the moment

Iowa State – The two losses are a nothing burger, Efficiency is top 20 in both which is a requirement for title contenders

Illinois – beat Purdue behind 46 from Keaton Wagler.  He won’t replicate that and the Defense might not be good enough for March.

3 Seeds

Purdue – Three losses in a row including at UCLA and Indiana doesn’t look great in the resume.

Michigan State – Barely in the top 50 in offensive efficiency, however they are #1 since January 1 at BartTorvik.com.  Looked terrible at Rutgers last night and needed overtime to get the W.

Houston – No shame in losing at Texas Tech.  Losses are both Quad 1.  Great resume as a 3 seed

Kansas – better than last year’s version of Kansas but not a Final Four team; even with Peterson.

Bonus Team Number 10

Vanderbilt – hanging in there in both Torvik and KenPom.  After a 3 game losing streak they’ve now won 2 in a row including a drubbing of Kentucky last night.

No comments: