With championship week underway, some teams are on the bubble fighting for their postseason lives. Then there are the elite fighting for a spot on the top line. Who is going to get those four coveted No. 1 seeds? Here is some insight on which teams have it locked up and who is in contention.
Contenders
Michigan (23-7)
RPI Rank: 10
Best wins: Wisconsin, Michigan State (2x)
The Big Ten regular season champions need some help but could end up on the top line with a Big Ten tournament championship and some key losses by Villanova, 'Cuse, and Duke.
Syracuse (27-4)
RPI Rank: 9
Best Wins: North Carolina, Duke
After starting 25-0, the wheels have started to fall off for the Orange. They have lost four of their last six games. However, with only four losses and an ACC tournament championship, it will be difficult for the selection committee to overlook that feat.
Kansas (23-8)
RPI Rank: 3
Best Wins: Duke, Iowa State
There has never been an eight loss team earn a one seed. So don't count on KU changing that it this year.
Wisconsin (25-6)
RPI Rank: 6
Best wins: Florida, Michigan, Michigan State
The Badgers have the most impressive wins on their resume amongst the contenders, but also have some bad losses. Their only shot at a one seed is a tournament championship and early loss by Villanova.
Most Likely No. 1 Seeds
Joshua Caudill is a writer for CraveOnline Sports, a surfing enthusiast, an unhealthy sports fanatic, and an expert on all things Patrick Swayze. You can follow him on Twitter @JoshuaCaudill85 or "like"CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
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No. 1 Seeds
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Arizona (28-3)
RPI Rank: 1
Best wins: Duke, Michigan
Arizona was a whole lot sexier as a championship contender before Brandon Ashley's injury, considering they were 21-0. The Wildcats have went 7-3 since the injury. No reason to worry about their status. Arizona shall coast to the conference championship game where they will probably meet UCLA or Oregon. Their status as a top seed out west really isn't in jeopardy considering other than Villanova, everyone else in contention has twice as many losses.
Status: LOCK
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Florida (29-2)
RPI Rank: 2
Best wins: Kansas, Memphis
The Gators went 18-0 in SEC play and will face very little competition in their conference tournament. They have been in a league of their own this season and haven't lost since December 2nd. For the off chance that they lose early in the SEC tournament, it will not effect their status as a one seed but it will in all likeliness, give Wichita State the top overall seed.
Status: LOCK
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Villanova (28-3)
RPI Rank: 4
Best Wins: Kansas
So three teams are a mortal lock for a one seed in this year's NCAA tournament. The fourth spot is up for grabs with just a few teams needing to win their tournaments to state their case for the coveted spot in the East region -- Nova probably has that best chance.
If the committee were making their selections right now, Villanova would be the last one seed. Unfortunately for Jay Wright's Villanova squad, they will have to win the Big East tournament to guarantee that spot which will be no easy task considering conference-rival Creighton has absolutely demolished them in their previous two meetings, winning by a combined 49 points. In Nova's other loss, Syracuse defeated them by 16 points. Really, outside of an early win over Kansas in November, they haven't really done anything to impress. They need for everyone else to lose to keep the critics at bay.
Status: Shaky but still likely
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Wichita State (34-0)
RPI Rank: 5
Best wins: Saint Louis, Tennessee
The Shockers have ran the regular season gauntlet and are in the running to become the first team to go undefeated since 1976. There was ridiculous pre-season talk that Kentucky's freshmen might go 40-0 but Wichita State might actually do it. Wichita State already won the MVC tournament championship last week, so they're just waiting to see which 16 seed they will destroy. If Florida loses early in the SEC tournament, the Shockers may get the top overall seed for the NCAA tournament.
Status: LOCK
