5 teams potential No. 1 seeds should be most scared of in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32

With just over a week from Selection Sunday, the top teams in College Basketball are getting closer to earning a 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. Some of those in the mix include Auburn, Duke, Alabama, Florida, Auburn, and Kentucky. However, the path to the Four Four for those teams may not be easy as several teams are projected to get an 8 or 9 seed if the bracket were released today.

These aren’t your usual 8-9 seeds either, as Kenpom and other metrics are highly favorable of them. Here’s a list of five teams currently in the mix to be in those spots and why they could beat any of the projected 1 seeds.

Gonzaga Bulldogs - 23-8 (14-4 WCC)

The Bulldogs have some of the best metrics in all of college basketball, ranked in the top 10 in both kenpom and the NET. The reason why they’re not a top-4 seed is due to their 0-8 record in close games, combined with Baylor and San Francisco being their lone good wins on the resume. But they have the nation’s leading passer in Ryan Nembhard (10 apg), as well as scoring nearly 90 ppg, Gonzaga will be a tough out for whoever they face, including a 1 seed.

Illinois Fighting Illini - 19-11 (11-8 Big Ten)

From a talent standpoint, Illinois is incredibly dangerous, having a pair of potential 1st round NBA Draft picks in Kasparas Jakucionis (15.4 ppg and 4.8 apg) and Will Riley. They have five double-digit scorers and can defend and score at a high level. Illinois’ main issue has been on the three-point line, an area of weakness for a team that likes to shoot it a ton. But if they make their shots, they’re a team to watch. 

UConn Huskies - 21-9 (13-6 Big East)

Yes, this team is very different from the past two that won national championships. But would you want to deal with Coach Dan Hurley in the Round of 32? There’s still legit talent, led by veteran forward Alex Karaban (14.5 ppg and 5.1 rpg). If freshman star Liam McNeeley (15.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg) continues their strong play, they’re still capable of a March run.

BYU Cougars - 22-8 (13-6 Big 12) 

At the start of Big 12 play, the Cougars weren’t even in the at-large field. They’ve since won 11 of the last 13 games, including a current seven-game win streak that includes wins over Arizona, Kansas, and Iowa State. They’re one of the top three-point shooting teams in the nation, led by Richie Saunders (16.1 ppg on 44% shooting from deep). For a team as prolific as they are from deep, BYU is looking more like a 4 seed right now.

Kansas Jayhawks - 19-11 (10-9 Big 12)

Yes, this team has struggled a ton, being unranked for the first time in years. But this is also the same team with wins over Michigan State, Duke, and Iowa State. Hunter Dickerson (16.9 ppg and 9.9 rpg) will be a handful for any team, and if the backcourt can give them consistent production on both ends, a team led by Coach Bill Self will still be one you want to avoid.