Evaluating top threats to the four No. 1 seeds

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Duke, Arkansas, and Houston headline Men’s Sweet 16

With the Sweet 16 upon us, USA Today Sports’ Mackenzie Salmon previews a few of the top matchups we’re most looking forward to.

Sports Seriously

It’s good to be seeded No. 1 in March Madness. Quite good.

Four conferences combined to supply every team in this men’s Sweet 16. That’s a first. One conference, the SEC, advanced seven teams into the Sweet 16. That’s also a first.

What’s not a first? Four No. 1 seeds running strong into the NCAA Tournament’s second week.

Nearly 40% of the Final Four spots have been claimed by No. 1 seeds in the past 39 tournaments, since the tournament expanded to include at least 64 teams. No. 1 seeds make the Final Four nearly twice as frequently as a No. 2 seed, and nearly four times as often as a No. 3 seed.

We’re seeing that math unfold. All four No. 1 seeds reached the Sweet 16. One No. 2 seed, St. John’s, has been eliminated, along with two No. 3 seeds: Iowa State and Wisconsin.

Only once, in 2008, did No. 1 seeds claim all four Final Four spots. Considering the overall strength of this bracket’s top seeds, it would come as no great shock if that history repeats.

Here’s my assessment of the top threats remaining to the No. 1 seeds, within each region:

SWEET 16 UPSET PICK: Bracket predictions include underdog that could pull an upset

Auburn’s top threat: No. 5 Michigan

Region: South

When they’ll meet: Sweet 16

Auburn beat Creighton 82-70 in the second round despite receiving just eight points from national player of the year candidate Johni Broome. Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner won the big-man battle. The Tigers prevailing is a compliment to Tahaad Pettiford scoring 23 points off the bench.

Auburn proved it’s more than Broome, but a vintage performance from the senior forward would be mighty helpful when the Tigers play Michigan on Friday. The Wolverines start two centers, Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf, who stand at least 6-feet-10 inches tall. You might remember Goldin from…

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Publish date : 2025-03-25 10:01:00

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