1. Auburn – a little end of season slump does not deter me from putting Johni Broome and the Tigers at the top spot.
2. Michigan State – the development of Jase Richardson has turned Tom Izzo’s squad into a serious Final Four threat.
3.Iowa State – the injury to Keshon Gilbert just means more dependency on Curtis Jones and Tamin Lipsey to carry the load in the tournament.
4. UC San Diego – The prototype of a double-digit seed that can make the Sweet 16 – they shoot it well, force turnovers, and have a potential March legend in Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones
5. Michigan – Dusty May’s squad knows how to win close games – but all you have to do is play with fire one too many times to get burned.
6. Texas A&M – Wade Taylor IV is going to have to do his best Kemba Walker impression to get this team out of the first two rounds – they are very offensively challenged.
7. Marquette – How far can Kam Jones carry this squad on his back?
8. Louisville – a little bit of a raw job on seeding for Pat Kelsey’s first trip to the dance with the Cardinals.
9. Ole Miss – We have seen Chris Beard take an over-achieving team on a run in March before, but can he do it with this Rebels squad?
10. Creighton – Going to have to take care of the basketball more effectively if they want to even make it out of the first round
11. North Carolina – Playing their best basketball at the right time, and the team that everyone says didn’t deserve to be here, tends to prove that they belong here.
12. New Mexico – the Lobos, led by star guard Donovan Dent, are one of the most fun to watch teams in the country, but it’s to be determined how long we get to watch them.
13. Yale – the smartest team in the field returned most of the roster that upset Auburn in the first round last year
14. San Diego State – Limping into the tournament as losers of 2 of their last 3 and are playing without freshman center Magoon Gwath due to injury.
15. Lipscomb – Dominated the ASUN this year, but we’re not in Tennessee anymore.
16. Bryant – one of the tallest teams in all of division I, but height alone does not win basketball games.
17. Alabama State – a balanced squad that has only lost once since February 8th, and should be favored in their First Four game
18. St Francis – one of the worst teams to make the NCAA Tournament in recent memory
