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<\/a><\/p>\nThe loss to California did little to hurt Arizona\u2019s chances to get one of the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. It\u2019s easily compensated by the team\u2019s road wins against San Diego State and Michigan \u2013 two teams that are inside the RPI Top 20.<\/p>\n
However, Arizona is currently dealing with another kind of loss. The team lost Brandon Ashley to a foot injury and he will be out for the season. Ashley is one of Arizona\u2019s vital cogs (he averages 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game) but despite this development, it\u2019s still too early to tell whether the team will spiral down because of his absence.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s still safe to say that Arizona is one of the top favorites to clinch a No. 1 seed.<\/p>\n
Florida Gators<\/h3>\n
Odds to win NCAA Basketball Tournament: +700<\/p>\n
The current SEC top team was running second to John Calipari\u2019s Kentucky in preseason conference predictions. Since then, a lot has changed, including the fact that Florida is now the higher ranked team compared to the highly touted, freshmen-laden Wildcats.<\/p>\n
The Gators are on a 13-game winning streak and are ranked No. 3 in the AP poll. They have five wins at the expense of teams that are ranked Top 50 in RPI. Florida is also lucky to see Michigan State and Kansas lose last week, which partly contributed to its climb in the polls.<\/p>\n
More good news for Billy Donovan: former McDonald’s All-American Chris Walker is finally cleared by the NCAA to play for the Gators.<\/p>\n
Wichita State Shockers<\/h3>\n
Odds to win NCAA Basketball Tournament: +1,200<\/p>\n
USA Today coaches\u2019 poll ranked the Shockers No. 2 while the AP poll has them at No. 4. Regardless of whichever ranking you believe Wichita State deserves, in the end, you\u2019ll likely see this team clutching a No. 1 seed once Selection Sunday is over.<\/p>\n Wichita State has a perfect 23-0 record and with a relatively weak schedule, the possibility of finishing the regular season with an unblemished records is growing.<\/p>\n However, among the four teams we predict to get No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, the Shockers could be the first top seed casualty in the NCAA Tournament. With a suspect strength of schedule (0.5378 \u2013 90th<\/sup> in the nation<\/a>), it\u2019s not easy to gauge how strong the Shockers really are despite their immaculate 23-0 record.<\/p>\n This scenario is reminiscent of what Gonzaga suffered last March. In that tournament, the Bulldogs were the first No. 1 seeds to be knocked out<\/a>. Like Wichita State this season, Gonzaga\u2019s mettle was highly questioned for having a weak SOS.<\/p>\n Coincidentally, it was the Shockers, who beat Gonzaga in the third round of last year\u2019s NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n Projection: No. 9<\/p>\n The Badgers were in the running to get a No. 1 seed but a less than perfect January all but took them out of contention.<\/p>\n Projection: No. 5<\/p>\n The Spartans enjoyed being in the top spot of the AP polls from Week 2 to 5 but fell to No. 5 after two defeats in January to rival Michigan and Georgetown.<\/p>\n Projection: No. 9<\/p>\n Similar to the Badgers, Ohio State struggled mightily last month, winning only twice in seven games.<\/p>\n Projection: No. 4<\/p>\n The Hawkeyes have five losses already but have yet to lose against a team outside of the RPI\u2019s Top 15.<\/p>\n Michigan Wolverines, Illinois Fighting Illini, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Indiana Hoosiers<\/p>\n [sc:NCAAB240banner ]Defense and experience could pay off big time come March for the Orange<\/a>. Their 21-0 record includes wins over quality opponents. Like we\u2019ve mentioned earlier in this piece, Syracuse has dealt with opponents that belong in the Top 75, 50, and 25 in RPI and emerged victorious in all those games.<\/p>\n Although Syracuse is a defense-centric squad, this team proved they could also score as shown in their win against Duke. In that game, the Orange outscored the Blue Devils, who are 19th<\/sup> in scoring in the nation, for a 91-89 overtime win.<\/p>\n The Gators defeated Kentucky and Memphis during their current winning streak. They have also two close road losses to Wisconsin and Connecticut.<\/p>\n Consider all that and you get the idea that although the Gators have a less impressive 19-2 record than Wichita State and Arizona, they are more battle experienced. It may not matter now, but once the madness of March sets in, this will \u00a0be a plus factor for coach Billy Donovan\u2019s boys.<\/p>\n Speaking of Florida\u2019s coach, Donovan is also a key asset for the Gators. He certainly knows that it takes to be an NCAA champion having steered the Gators before to two national championships.<\/p>\n Amid the perplexing attention this season\u2019s batch of freshmen is garnering, Creighton Bluejays Doug McDermott is enjoying a terrific season worthy of the same recognition.<\/p>\n Creighton is riding McDermott\u2019s great season, in which he is second in the nation in scoring (25.0 PPG) and has been shooting the ball with remarkable efficiency (577 FG %). He also leads his team in rebounding with 4.2 per game.<\/p>\n Check out the latest betting odds and lines for NCAA basketball games<\/a>\u00a0on Top Bet sportsbook<\/a>. There, you will also find updated futures odds for the 2014 Wooden Award<\/a> and for some of the top schools\u2019 odds to win the NCAA Basketball Tournament<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n[sc:NCAAB490Banner ]\n<\/a><\/p>\nThe Conference With The Most Teams In The NCAA Tournament Is\u2026<\/h3>\n
Big Ten (8 Teams)<\/h3>\n
Wisconsin Badgers<\/h3>\n
Michigan State Spartans<\/h3>\n
Ohio State Buckeyes<\/h3>\n
Iowa Hawkeyes<\/h3>\n
Other Teams<\/h3>\n
Teams Most Built To Win The Tournament<\/h3>\n
Syracuse Orange<\/h3>\n
Florida Gators<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Wooden Award Will Go To\u2026<\/h3>\n
Doug McDermott (-1,500)<\/h3>\n
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