Just when you thought that the last final four seed was all wrapped up, the unthinkable happens. How many of you predicted Gonzaga would end it’s 41 game winning streak at home to an unranked BYU team? If you did, I can’t wait to see your bracket come March. With Gonzaga falling out of a lock for the last one seed, we’re left with a few options.
Teams That Just Miss the Cut
In last week’s AP rankings, Villanova was sitting pretty at No. 6. With only two losses, they are just on the cusp of the conversation, but they face the same problem Gonzaga does. They lack significant wins, and losing to Georgetown by 20 doesn’t help the argument. Notre Dame had a chance to enter the conversation as it entered the final stretch of ACC play. However, with five losses, including two coming at home against Providence and Syracuse, they have almost completely removed themselves from one-seed contention.
The Case for Gonzaga
On paper, if you remove the name Gonzaga from the resumé, you’re looking at one of the most impressive teams in the country. One loss in conference, the other to a team that will make this list later on, in the form of Arizona. Gonzaga has one of, if not the best point guard in the nation in Kevin Pangos, one of the most uniquely skilled bigs, and one of the most underappreciated players in the land with Kyle Wiltjer. Sometimes, I empathize with the Zags. The argument of the weakness of schedule is one that is consistently repeated in regards to Gonzaga, but when you watch them play, their capabilities are undeniable. Don’t forget, Wiltjer is capable of dropping 45 points in a game like he did against Pacific, which makes Gonzaga always dangerous.
The Case for Arizona
When we entered the 2014-2015 campaign, the high level of talent was indisputable. Stanley Johnson, though just a freshman, is a freak specimen and a player of the year candidate. He starts at forward, alongside another player of the year candidate in Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. That doesn’t even account for the fact that Kaleb Tarczewski and Brandon Ashley were once the fourth and 16th ranked recruits in the ESPN 100, respectively. Coming off of a big time win against No. 13 Utah, the Wildcats are catching fire at just the right time. If they can run the table, their argument for the last one seed will be hard to ignore.
The Case for Kansas
This case was likely the most confusing. As a matter of fact, Kansas’ season as a whole has been a head scratcher. Much like Arizona, Kansas is filled to the brim with skilled players. Perry Ellis impresses in almost every game he plays in, and was an inch away from taking down No. 23 West Virginia on his own. However, Kansas has failed to live up to their potential this season. Ignoring the loss to Kentucky, as I think every team that has lost to them should, Kansas has also lost to unranked Temple, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State. However, seven wins against ranked opponents is impossible to ignore. If Kansas can get hot in March, which they are more than capable of doing, and win out, their case for the final one seed will become increasingly convincing.
The Case for Wisconsin
The Badgers have perhaps the best starting five in the country, even given with starting point guard Traevon Jackson sidelined with a foot injury. Bronson Koenig, the new starting guard, has filled in nearly seamlessly. When analyzing the resumé for the Badgers, their three losses are all far from being called “bad losses.” Duke is almost certainly going to be a one seed, Maryland is a top 15 team in the nation, and Frank Kaminsky didn’t play against Rutgers. It’s hard to pick against Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker and company, and in my opinion, the Badgers are on the way to a one seed in the upcoming tournament.
*Section Photo credit to Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Casey Sapio, USA Today Sports
