A lot can change in the following two weeks after the conference tournaments, but only a handful of teams qualify as potential No. 1 seeds.
Ohio State
The No. 1 team in the country is a near lock to earn a one-seed. The Buckeyes have a 27-2 record in the tough Big 10 conference, 14-2 record against top 100 teams, and their only two losses came on the road against ranked top 15 opponents. Freshman Jared Sullinger is one of the best players in the country, averaging 17.4 points per game, the product of shooting .558 from the floor. Last year, as the No. 2 seed, Ohio State was upset by No. 6 Tennessee in the Sweet 16.
Kansas
The No. 2 Jayhawks are also regarded as one of the best teams in the country, coached by Bill Self who led Kansas to a national title just three years ago. Brothers, Markieff and Marcus Morris act as team leaders, the Jayhawks also have a 27-2 record overall, 16-2 record against the top 100. Their two losses came against Big 12 opponents Texas and Kansas State. Last year, as the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, Kansas, was upset in the second round by Northern Iowa. How many had predicted that?
Brigham Young
Coming from the Mountain West Conference, the Cougars are making a charge up the national rankings. Teams from conferences like the MWC usually don't secure No. 1 seeds in the tournament, but BYU certainly has made its case. Although the 27-2 Cougars have a weaker schedule, the team from Utah has beaten former No. 4 San Diego State twice. Oh yeah, BYU also has one of the best scorers in the country, Jimmer Fredette, who averages 27.3 points per game.
Duke
Last year's national champion makes its case as a No. 1 seed with a 26-3 record in the ACC. The Blue Devils are coached by legendary Mike Krzyzewski and led by arguably the best 1-2 punch in college basketball, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler, who average 21.3 and 17.4 points per game respectively. Duke has a 4-0 record against ranked opponents this season.
Pittsburgh
Playing in the most talented and depth conference, the Big East, The Panthers qualify as a potential No. 1 seed. Head coach Jamie Dixon leads the 25-4 Panthers, backed by Ashton Gibbs' 16.3 points per game and ridiculous 46 percent shooting from 3-point land. Pittsburgh has played eight ranked opponents this season, with notable wins coming over Syracuse and UConn, two teams who have been ranked in the top five this season.
Purdue
The Boilermakers are quietly playing as one of the best teams in the country. Despite their five losses — with two coming to unranked teams — the Boilermakers have played against seven ranked teams this season and won four of them. The Boilermakers are led by another one of the best duos in the country in JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore. Both average more than 18 points per game. Just imagine how good this team could be if they had Robbie Hummel.
Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish are playing some of their best basketball in a long time in the tough Big East. Notre Dame has played six games against ranked teams, including a very impressive win at No. 2 ranked Pittsburgh, and has won 10 of their last 11 games, beating three straight ranked opponents. With former North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough's brother, Ben, the team deserves its national recognition. On Monday night, Hansbrough, a guard, and teammate Tim Abromaitis combined for 16 three-pointers against No. 19 Villanova.
Even though only one of the four No. 1 seeds made the Final Four last season, No. 1 seed Duke won the entire tournament.
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