Earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament is huge. Not only do you get a better match-up than you would as a lower seed, you have a much better chance of winning a national championship. Since the NCAA Tournament’s last major expansion in 1985, 21 of the 34 national champions have been No. 1 seeds, compared to five No. 2 seeds and four No. 3 seeds winning it all. With that in mind, BetDSI has asked whether blue bloods like Duke, Kentucky, Villanova, and Kansas will earn No. 1 seeds or not.
Villanova Seed for 2019 NCAA Tournament
1 Seed +350 2 Seed +250
3 Seed +150 4 Seed or Higher -150
The Wildcats certainly struggled for most of the season, but Villanova will likely earn at least a No. 3 seed if they win the Big East Conference Tournament. They are ranked No. 23 in the country, yet Nova will win at least a share of the Big East regular season title and will be favored to win the conference tournament too. Nova has had its share of issues on the road, but the school has played its way through many of its issues and I think they’ll earn a No. 3 seed.
Kansas Seed for 2019 NCAA Tournament
1 Seed +800 2 Seed +350
3 Seed +125 4 Seed or Higher -200
It looked like the Jayhawks would earn a No. 1 seed back in January after a strong non-conference performance, but an injury to Udoka Azubuike and absence of Lagerald Vick has caused Kansas to fall off dramatically. The school’s record of winning at least a share of 14 straight conference titles came to an end earlier in the week, and it’s hard to see them putting it all together to make a run at the Big 12 Tournament Championship. I believe Kansas will end up on the No. 4 or No. 5 line.
Kentucky Seed for 2019 NCAA Tournament
1 Seed +150 2 Seed +125
3 Seed +175 4 Seed or Higher +350
This all comes down to whether Kentucky wins the SEC Tournament. The Wildcats are unlikely to win a share of the regular season title after losing to Tennessee and LSU, but their resume is pretty good and they could earn a No. 1 seed by beating out everyone to win the conference tournament. That would put them at 29-5 provided they beat Florida this weekend, and that would be good enough for a No. 1 seed. I see Kentucky ending up on the No. 2 line though.
Duke Seed for 2019 NCAA Tournament
1 Seed -140 2 Seed +150
3 Seed +300 4 Seed or Higher +800
The Blue Devils were a virtual lock to earn a No. 1 seed before Zion Williamson went down with a knee injury against North Carolina two weeks ago. Since that point, Duke has looked mortal, and the Blue Devils lost on the road to Virginia Tech and edged Wake Forest by a single point earlier in the week. Winning the ACC Conference Tournament will certainly give Duke a No. 1 seed, but an early exit could see them fall to the No. 3 line. I don’t think there’s any way the Selection Committee places them lower than that though.
