2023 NCAA Bracket Preview Predictions 

Image Courtesy: The Slipper Still Fits

In just thirty short minutes, the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Selection Committee will let us know their top sixteen seeds currently in the NCAA Tournament field on CBS just three weeks ahead of Selection Sunday, March 12.

Here are my predictions for who those sixteen teams will be:

South Region (Louisville)
1.Alabama
Despite their first loss in SEC play to Tennessee on Wednesday, they jumped back up to the top overall seed spot due to Purdue’s loss a night earlier.
2.Baylor
Baylor’s recent success (only loss to Texas in last few weeks) has them in prime position to challenge for a one seed in a historically good Big 12.
3.Marquette
Marquette has arguably been the best team in a Big East and no bad losses that is better than a lot of people think.
4.Iowa State
Iowa State’s wins over Kansas and Kansas State are helping them out a lot especially with a loss to ninth place Texas Tech in the Big 12.

West Region (Las Vegas)
1.Houston
Houston may play in a weak American Athletic Conference, but they have the quality of players like Jamal Shead and Marcus Sasser to compete at their one seed level.
2.UCLA
UCLA’s only win against a team that will likely be in the tournament is against Maryland but if the Bruins win the Pac-12 they will be in play for a one seed down the line.
3.Gonzaga
Despite losing to Saint Mary’s and their stranglehold on the West Coast Conference, the Zags have bounced back with recent wins over San Francisco, BYU, and Loyola Marymount.
4.Miami
The Hurricane’s Monday win in Chapel Hill over North Carolina and 6 Quad 1 wins ascended them to the sixteenth overall seed and last team in the reveal.

Midwest Region (Kansas City)
1.Kansas
The Jayhawks’ 12 Quad 1 wins lead the country and their exciting offensive play gets them to the one seed line.
2.Tennessee
Tennessee lost twice on buzzer-beaters a week ago but rebounded with a win over number one Alabama in Knoxville which secures a two-seed for them in my opinion as well as wins over Kansas and Baylor, two of the top three teams in the Big 12.
3.Arizona
Arizona has been in consideration for a one seed as of late with wins over two of my current two seeds, Tennessee and UCLA, but bad losses to Stanford and Utah keep them just outside of the two seed line as my number nine overall seed.
4.Kansas State
Kansas State’s win over Kansas had them up to the two-seed line a few weeks ago but recent losses to Iowa State and Texas Tech helped them fall down a bit.

East Region (New York)
1.Purdue
Purdue has lost three of its last four games after beginning the season 22-1 start to the season. If the Boilermakers win out, they will be a one seed in March.
2.Texas
Despite a loss to Texas Tech earlier in the week, Texas is still in play for a one seed on Selection Sunday with a two seed likely on Saturday morning.
3.Virginia
Virginia has been the best team in the metrics in a weak ACC and four Quad I wins including over Baylor on a neutral court.
4.Connecticut
With wins over Alabama and Iowa State included in their 6 Quad I wins, Connecticut helps itself out very well with an 8-7 Big East record.