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March Madness 2018 seed predictions: Kansas rises to No.1, Purdue falls

By Andrew Hammond

LAWRENCE, KS - FEBRUARY 19: Devonte' Graham #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates a basket against the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on February 19, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - FEBRUARY 19: Devonte' Graham #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates a basket against the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on February 19, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – FEBRUARY 18: Duke guard Gary Trent (2) gets past Clemson guard Gabe DeVoe (10) during 1st half action between the Clemson Tigers and the Duke Blue Devils on February 18, 2018 at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, SC. (Photo by Doug Buffington/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – FEBRUARY 18: Duke guard Gary Trent (2) gets past Clemson guard Gabe DeVoe (10) during 1st half action between the Clemson Tigers and the Duke Blue Devils on February 18, 2018 at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, SC. (Photo by Doug Buffington/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 2 Seeds

5.   Michigan State (26-3)  (West-Los Angeles)

6.   Purdue (24-5) (South-Atlanta)

7.   North Carolina (21-7) (East-Boston)

8.   Duke (22-5) (Midwest-Omaha)

Purdue was solidly on the one line until this past week where the Boilermakers went to Madison and got slapped around by a Wisconsin team that is far from any type of postseason play. The Boilermakers were already trending downward but the loss to Wisconsin bumps them off the top seed line this week. Meanwhile, Michigan State jumps over them since they’ve got the better resume however that win at Northwestern was quite ugly.

Until late Sunday afternoon, Cincinnati was on the two line but with the Bearcats suffering two losses this past week to Houston and Wichita State. With that happening, Duke swaps places with the Bearcats as they defeated a ranked Clemson team on the road. Road wins are especially important this year under the new quadrant system.

Using Sunday’s game as an example, with Clemson being as highly ranked as they were you will see Duke get more credit in the eyes of the committee. Hence, Duke going to the two line after Cincinnati’s loss. Duke and North Carolina would need to go on a major run to be a top seed in their respective regions so don’t expect Duke or UNC to go above this seed line.

Games of note this week

February 21st

North Carolina at Syracuse

Like Clemson, North Carolina is hanging in the bottom half of the top four seeds this week, a win at Syracuse would be the type of boost they need if they want to to be in the Top 8 with a small chance to avoid the long trip out west.

Louisville at Duke

The Blue Devils have been highly inconsistent in the month of February. A win vs. Louisville is a much-needed confidence boost and keeps the momentum that was picked up after winning at Clemson on Sunday.

February 24th

Syracuse at Duke

The ACC schedule doesn’t get lighter for Duke as they host Syracuse who needs a win badly for their resume.

February 25th

Michigan State at Wisconsin

No, this game doesn’t have the buzz that it normally would but can you really count Wisconsin out after what they did to Purdue last week?

February 26th

Duke at Virginia Tech

Louisville, Syracuse and Virginia Tech. For a Duke team that may be coming into form, this is surely a test of that theory. The Blue Devils will need Grayson Allen at his best if they want to survive. Also, a healthy Marvin Bagley would also be nice.

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