Here are the teams with a chance at a one seed by conference entering the weekend of February 28-March 1. Just a note that not all conferences have a chance to get a one seed so they won’t all be listed.All bracketology references will be referring to Joe Lunardi’s latest ESPN Bracketology on February 28,2020.
Atlantic-10
Looking at the top of the Atlantic-10 Standings
1.Dayton 27-2 (16-0)
2.Rhode Island 20-7 (12-3)
Dayton
Led by potential player of the year Obi Toppin, the Flyers have to win out to even have a chance on the one line. With even a single loss, Dayton not be on the one line but likely as a three seed. Dayton is seeded on the two line currently by most bracketologists.
ACC
Looking at the top of the ACC Standings
1.Florida State 24-4 (14-3)
2.Louisville 23-6 (14-4)
3.Duke 23-5 (13-4)
Florida State
The number six ranked team in the AP Polls last Monday, strengthened their case for a top seed with a comeback win over number eleven ranked Louisville who Joe Lunardi had as a three seed entering the week. With a loss by current four overall seed San Diego State, Florida State can make a move onto the top line depending on what happens with the lone two seed ahead of them in Maryland.
Duke
Duke has had a rough February discluding their dominant win over Virginia Tech and a game that they shouldn’t have won at the buzzer against North Carolina. Duke has lost to Wake Forest and NC State, two teams that are on or around the NCAA Tournament bubble. Duke needs to heat up because if they want to play in New York and the east region, they need to start winning some games.
Louisville
With a loss to Florida State on Monday, Louisville is putting themselves in a bad position. But like the other two contending ACC squads, a strong finish to the regular season and an ACC Tournament Championship would give them a good chance at one of the top three seed lines.
Big 12
Looking at the top of the Big 12 Standings
1.Baylor 25-2 (14-1)
1.Kansas 25-3 (14-1)
3.Texas Tech 18-10 (9-6)
Kansas
The top overall seed according to ESPN, Kansas has to hope that Baylor loses so that they can easily land the top seed in the Big 12 Tournament. But the only thing that matters is the likely match up between them and the bears in the conference tournament championship. That game will likely determine the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Baylor
After the loss to Kansas, ESPN has dropped Baylor from the top overall seed line to the number two overall seed line. But the only thing that matters is the likely match up between them and the jayhawks in the conference tournament championship. That game will likely determine the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Big East
Looking at the top of the Big Ten Standings
1.Seton Hall 20-7 (12-3)
2.Creighton 22-6 (11-4)
2.Villanova 22-6 (11-4)
Seton Hall
Seton Hall is the lone team in the Big East with a mostly clear path to get to the top line. They have to hope many teams falter on the top two lines and they have to win out and then win the Big East Tournament title.
Creighton and Villanova
Both teams have to pray that red hot Seton Hall loses to get the top seed in the Big East. Both teams don’t have great shots on the one seed line, though.
Big Ten
Looking at the top of the Big Ten Standings
1.Maryland 23-5 (13-4)
2.Illinois 19-9 (11-6)
2.Wisconsin 18-10 (11-6)
2.Penn State 21-7 (11-6)
2.Michigan State 19-9 (11-6)
Maryland
With a win over Michigan State tonight, Maryland clinches no less than a share of the Big Ten title, their first since 2002. But with a Big Ten Tournament Title, they have a real shot of getting to the one line.
Mountain West
Looking at the top of the Mountain West Standings
1.San Diego State 27-1 (16-1)
2.Utah State 23-7 (12-5)
2.Nevada 19-10 (12-5)
San Diego State
Despite their first loss of the season a week ago, they remained a one seed. One more loss, though, a major conference team could steal it from them.
SEC
Looking at the top of the SEC Standings
1.Kentucky 23-5 (13-2)
2.Auburn 24-4 (11-4)
3.LSU 19-9 (10-5)
Kentucky
With a win over Auburn today, Kentucky would an SEC regular season title. A loss at home versus the tigers today, would totally take them out of the picture to be on one of those top two seed lines.
Auburn
With a win over Kentucky and an SEC Tournament championship, this team has a shot at a two seed.
WCC
Looking at the top of the WCC Standings
1.Gonzaga 28-2 (14-1)
2.BYU 23-7 (12-3)
Gonzaga
Despite the loss to BYU last Saturday, Gonzaga controls their destiny in getting a top seed.
