NCAA Tournament: Top seeds offer plenty of intrigue

In Kansas, Virginia, North Carolina and Oregon, the 2016 NCAA Tournament offers an intriguing group of top seeds.

It’s finally here.

The event more than 300 college basketball teams eyeballed when practice started back in October is set. And for 68 chosen participants, the fun is about to begin.

If unpredictability is your cup of tea, this season’s NCAA Tournament could be the perfect the fit.

Even in the most straight-forward of college hoops seasons, eye-popping upsets have almost always been a part of the tourney’s narrative. How many such results will there be this time around? In a few days, we’ll begin answering that question.

Just keep one thing in mind: If selection of this year’s top-four seeds is any indication, the 2016 tournament could offer as much shear drama and entertainment as we’ve seen in many years.

Kansas always seemed destined grab one of the top seeds.

Not only did the Jayhawks defeat West Virginia 81-71 to win the Big 12 Tournament title on Saturday, they ensured a top-two seed in the NCAAs for a record seventh straight season.

In other words, Bill Self’s team was about as sure a thing as is possible in the topsy-turvy world of college basketball. Now they’re headed to Des Moines as the South Region’s No. 1 seed.

The Jayhawks possess the kind of firepower necessary to emerge as national champions. At 6-foot-8, Perry Ellis can play either on the perimeter or on the inside. And with Wayne Selden Jr., Frank Mason III and Devonte’ Graham adding further versatility to the mix, Kansas appears locked and loaded for an extended NCAA Tournament run.

Joining the Jayhawks as regional top dogs are Virginia, North Carolina and Oregon in the Midwest, East and West respectively.

The Cavaliers have been on the cusp of greatness in recent campaigns with losses to Michigan State knocking them out of the NCAAs in both 2014 and 2015.

Can Tony Bennett’s team get over the hump in 2016? To do so, they may be forced to contend with Tom Izzo’s Spartans who loom as the Midwest’s No. 2 seed after claiming the Big 10 Tournament title with a 66-62 win over Purdue Sunday.

Like previous seasons, Virginia is balanced offensively and stingy defensively. In Malcolm Brogdon, Anthony Gill and London Perrantes, the Cavaliers have an experienced trio of performers capable of carrying Virginia to the Final Four.

They also give up an average of only 59.7 points per game which should come in handy as they begin play against Hampton in Raleigh on Thursday.

North Carolina meanwhile swooped in to claim a top-seed by virtue of their 61-57 ACC Tournament triumph over the Cavaliers on Saturday.

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The Tarheels appear to be hitting their stride at just the right time. They’ve now won five straight games and feature a lineup of four players who score in double-figures.

At 6-foot-10, Brice Johnson is a nightmare matchup for opponents with his averages of 16.6 points and 10.6 rebounds. The combination of Marcus Paige and an emergent Joel Berry II on the perimeter only adds to the Tarheels’ weaponry and could be enough to win a national championship.

As for Oregon, the Ducks are on an eight-game winning streak and could make a memorable run in the NCAAs. Not only did their 14-4 conference mark net Dana Altman’s team the Pac-12 regular season title, they also claimed the conference tournament title by blowing past Utah 88-57 in the final on Saturday.

The Ducks have always been known for their explosive offensive style and figure to score points aplenty once they hit the court for their tournament opener Friday.

Dillon Brooks leads the way offensively at 16.8 points per game and is joined by Elgin Cook, Tyler Dorsey and Chris Boucher as double-figure scorers.

Which top-seed has the best chance at a Final Four bid remains a matter of opinion.

Nevertheless, it’s hard to argue against recent showings by both Kansas and North Carolina.

The Jayhawks have been a rock of consistency all season and appear primed to better their second-round loss to Wichita State in 2015. The Tarheels were also wholly impressive in winning the ACC Tournament Championship.

With that said, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if either Virginia or Oregon broke through and headed to Houston once April rolls arond.

Such is the beauty and intrigue of the NCAA Tournament; no one knows for sure.

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One thing does appear certain however. The next few weeks will provide plenty of excitement for college hoops fans to witness.

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