The NCAA released the field of 68 with the top seeds being Kentucky, Villanova, Duke, and Wisconsin.
Kentucky enters the big dance as the only undefeated team in the field, trying to become the first team to run the table and win the championship since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers.
Big East Champion Villanova returns as a one seed for the first time since 2006 when Jay Wright’s team was led by the four guard lineup of Randy Foye, Allen Ray, Kyle Lowry, and Mike Nardi. This Wildcat is different then the 2006 one, as they are more balanced led by co-Big East Player of the Year Ryan Arcidiacono. Villanova also has a nice tandem down low with big men JayVaughn Pinkston and Daniel Ochefu. Along with Arcidiacono, this is a dangerous trio that no team wants to see. The Cats enter the field as one of the hottest teams in the country, having not lost a game since early January.
Duke, who lost in the ACC conference tournament semi finals, is the third overall number one seed and will play their first game in Charlotte, an approximate two-hour drive from their Durham, NC campus. Duke is a young squad this season, led by two freshmen Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor, but are virtually playing a home game playing in a relatively weak South Region bracket.
Wisconsin, who lost last season to Kentucky in the national semi finals, is a one seed for the first time in program history. The Badgers beat Michigan State for the Big Ten Conference Tournament title in overtime 80-69, out scoring the Spartans 11-0 in the overtime period. Wisconsin has key pieces returning from last years Final Four squad including Player of the Year finalist Frank Kaminski, Sam Dekker, Trey Jackson, and Nigel Hayes, guys who are expected to lead the Badgers on a deep run.
The Last Four teams in were Dayton, Boise State, Ole Miss, and BYU. Ole Miss will play BYU in Dayton for the 11 seed in the West Region while Dayton will play Boise State for the 11 seed in the East Region.
Keep it locked with Def Pen as we will be bringing you coverage of everything involving the NCAA Tournament with analysis, predictions, and just pure “madness.”
All the madness will begin on Tuesday in Dayton with “The First Four” games. Make sure to fill out your Bracket with Defpen and CBS Sports by Thursday at noon.
