Fansided

5 big takeaways from NCAA’s top 16 seed reveal

By Mike Phillips

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during their game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 5, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during their game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 5, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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MANHATTAN, KS – February 05: Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Kansas Jayhawks saves the ball from going out of bounds during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats on February 5, 2019 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS – February 05: Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Kansas Jayhawks saves the ball from going out of bounds during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats on February 5, 2019 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

4. Kansas has the most to lose

Even though they came in comfortably as a three seed in the committee’s ranking, all is not well in Lawrence. The Jayhawks are a team in turmoil, losing three out of four before blowing out Oklahoma State today, but things could head in the wrong direction quickly.

Kansas was already playing with a thin rotation before Lagerald Vick took a leave of absence to address personal issues. Vick was the team’s only senior and its second leading scorer, qualities that Bill Self will have a tough time replacing in short order.

This isn’t to say that Kansas will fall out of the tournament. The Jayhawks still bolster an excellent resume with wins over Michigan State, Tennessee, and Marquette on neutral floors to go along with a home win over Villanova in the non-conference schedule.

That was a different Kansas team, however, and they have already gone just 1-6 in true road games. With trips to Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and TCU still on the schedule Kansas could absorb more losses and slip outside of the top 16 seeds.

The odds of Kansas having an Oklahoma-like collapse (the Sooners were in the top 16 of the bracket reveal and proceeded to lose five of seven to drop to a 10 seed) are slim, but this Jayhawks team was rated as the 10th overall seed by the committee. With the way Kansas is playing, it doesn’t feel like one of the 10 best teams in the country.