Top March Madness Seeds Revealed as Tournament Approaches

INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee announced its top 16 seeds for the upcoming March Madness tournament during the Bracket Preview Show on CBS on February 15. Auburn received the top overall seed, while Alabama and Duke claimed the second and third spots, respectively. Florida edged Tennessee for the final No. 1 seed.

With Selection Sunday quickly approaching on March 16, the Bracket Preview Show offers a glimpse into how teams are being evaluated leading into the tournament. According to historical data from the past seven years, 84 percent of teams announced as a top seed in February have retained their positions in the final bracket.

“The narrative since the season began was how strong Southeastern Conference teams are, and that’s reflective in this Top 16 reveal,” said Bubba Cunningham, the committee chair and athletics director at North Carolina. “Having five of the top six teams being from one conference is equally impressive as it is unusual.”

Auburn’s top seed placement is attributed to their impressive record of 13 wins in 15 Quadrant 1 games. Alabama followed closely as the No. 2 seed with an 8-3 record in Quadrant 1 games. Duke’s strong performance, including a 20-3 overall record, places them third.

The other top seeds include Tennessee, Texas A&M, Purdue, and Houston, which all aim to maintain their positions as the regular season wraps up. Tennessee nearly secured a No. 1 spot with eight Quadrant 1 wins, while Texas A&M boasts a strong record and ranking. The remaining teams in the third and fourth seed lines include Iowa State, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Arizona, Texas Tech, Michigan, Kansas, and St. John’s.

As tournament play nears, teams have recognized the importance of their performances throughout the season. Duke, projected as the No. 3 seed in the East Region, has accumulated significant wins against top-ranked teams, while maintaining cautious attention to avoid losses that could impact their seeding. Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer emphasized the importance of these upcoming games.

“We have to focus on each game as we approach the tournament. It’s crucial to avoid slip-ups as we strive for the best possible position in March,” said Scheyer.

The tournament kicks off with the Men’s First Four from March 18-19 in Dayton, Ohio. First- and second-round action will follow between March 20 and 23 across various venues, with the Final Four set to take place in San Antonio on April 5 and 7.

With the anticipation building for this year’s March Madness, the tournament is expected to deliver thrilling matchups featuring some of the nation’s best teams, making every game essential as they aim for a coveted championship.