Sowing is believing | Expect a strong SEC presence

Men’s college basketball and Illini Beat writer Scott Richey projects his top four seeds for each region in the NCAA Tournament. This week? Nearly half of them are from the SEC.

MID-WEST

1.Tennessee (14-1)

2. Florida (14-1)

3. Kansas (11-3)

4. Michigan (12-3)

Few teams have a guard trio as good as the Gators’ lineup of Walter Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard. Those three averaged 47 points, 14 rebounds and 8.8 assists, as Florida reeled off a half-dozen wins against power conference teams, including a 30-point drubbing of Tennessee.

WEST

1. Iowa State (13-1)

2.Alabama (13-2)

3. Mississippi State (14-1)

4. Michigan State (13-2)

Continuity is a rarity in the college basketball era, but it’s a primary factor in Iowa State’s nearly unblemished start to the season. The Cyclones return four key rotation players from last year’s Sweet 16 team and have aptly addressed any frontcourt concerns surrounding transfers Joshua Jefferson and Dishon Jackson.

EAST

1. Duke (13-2)

2. Texas A&M (13-2)

3.Illinois (12-3)

4. Kentucky (12-3)

The Illini don’t have much ground to cover in the advanced metrics considering they are currently sixth in Bart Torvik and eighth in KenPom. But a few more Big Ten blowouts like the ones they inflicted on Oregon and Penn State this month could improve their computer numbers and, in turn, their NCAA Tournament resume.

SOUTH

1.Auburn (14-1)

2. Marquette (14-2)

3. Houston (11-3)

4. Gonzaga (13-4)

A No. 4 seed might be as good as it gets for the Bulldogs this season. Although they beat Baylor and San Diego State, these were Gonzaga’s only Quad I wins outside of West Coast Conference action. Four more Quad I opportunities in the regular season in the league probably aren’t enough.