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Bracketology: Ranking the top 4 seeds in the NCAA Tournament

By Bryce Olin

Jan 31, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Quinn Cook (2) celebrates after making a three point field goal against the Virginia Cavaliers in the final minute of the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Blue Devils won 69-63. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Quinn Cook (2) celebrates after making a three point field goal against the Virginia Cavaliers in the final minute of the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Blue Devils won 69-63. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 17, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Elijah Macon (45) reacts against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Texas beat West Virginia 77-50. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Elijah Macon (45) reacts against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Texas beat West Virginia 77-50. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 Seeds

16. Butler Bulldogs (16-6)

Butler is one of those teams that probably should a No. 5 seed, but they’re getting the benefit of the doubt because teams ranked closely behind them keep losing games.

Butler also sits in very high standing in RPI and ranks 17th in the nation.

While Butler has few great wins, the Bulldogs don’t have any bad losses. Right now, Butler sits only a half-game back of Villanova in conference. With another meeting with the Wildcats, Butler has an opportunity to get some redemption from the first time they played.

Another loss or two this season and Butler could be left outside of all the top-four seeds, but that’s an area where the Bulldogs are very comfortable in the NCAA Tournament.

15. VCU Rams (17-4)

VCU had their 12-game winning streak snapped by the Richmond Spiders on Sunday, but the Rams are still one of the top-four seeds in the NCAA tournament as of right now.

VCU is ranked eighth in RPI and has big wins over Northern Iowa, Cincinnati, and Davidson. While those wins might not look that great on paper, each of those teams has held their own with some of the best teams in the country.

Shaka Smart’s Rams have some work to do to stay in the top-16, but for a mid-major, it’s always good to be in the conversation.

14. North Carolina Tar Heels (17-5)

North Carolina might not have the best record of any of the top-16 seeds, but they’re one of the most talented teams in the country.

Currently, North Carolina ranks tenth in RPI, and there’s still multiple season-changing wins available on their schedule, like two games against Duke and one against Virginia, Miami, Pitt, and NC State.

Obviously, North Carolina also a chance to lose those games and completely fall out of the top seeds completely, but they also have the opportunity to win all of those games and make a push for an even higher seed.

13. West Virginia Mountaineers (18-3)

Bob Huggins’ West Virginia Mountaineers are two possessions away from only having one loss this season, which would have easily put the Mountaineers into the No. 1 seed discussion.

West Virginia has a very realistic chance of winning the Big 12. If that happens, I think the lowest the Mountaineers get ranked would be a No. 3 seed.

If the season ended today and West Virginia was a 4-seed in the tournament, there’s not a No. 1 team in the nation who would want to draw West Virginia in the Sweet 16. The Mountaineers play a very fast-paced, up-tempo, aggressive defense. If the refs let them get away with a little bit of contact, West Virginia can be the most ferocious defense in the nation.

West Virginia ranks first in the country in steals.

Watch out for the Mountaineers down the stretch! They are going to be a pain in the tournament.

Next: No. 3 Seeds

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