Bracket Watch: Villanova's résumé looks every bit like a No. 1 seed

Published Feb. 27, 2015 12:30 p.m. ET

Stewart Mandel

Every time I've posted a new bracket these past several weeks, a few Wisconsin fans have needled me about keeping Gonzaga above their beloved Badgers for the fourth No. 1 seed. It's a fair argument . . . but a more convincing case is that of 26-2 Villanova.

Even before Maryland handed Wisconsin its third loss of the season this week, Villanova sat No. 5 on my overall seed list (the top No. 2 seed), and it just keeps building its résumé. As runaway leaders in a deep Big East, the Wildcats have racked up an impressive nine wins against RPI top-50 foes, one fewer than Kentucky and Duke and the same as Virginia. And Villanova can add another if it wins this weekend at Xavier.

Ultimately, I do believe Gonzaga will land a No. 1 seed if it wins out to go 33-1, despite a weaker conference schedule than the other competitors. The committee does watch games, after all, not to mention Gonzaga is No. 2 overall in the coaches poll and No. 3 in AP.

But a lot could change between now and Selection Sunday. Duke and Virginia have tough remaining games before the ACC tournament. If a spot does open up on the 1-seed line, Villanova is the logical next in line, barring an early Big East tournament exit.

Editor's note: The bracket sets up as East vs. South, Midwest vs. West. It's based on games played through Feb. 26. Projected automatic berths (*) go to the current first-place team in each conference (in cases of first-place ties, the higher-rated RPI team gets the nod).

Selection Sunday is March 15.

First four out: Stanford, Tulsa, Pittsburgh, BYU

East Region (Syracuse)
Seed	Team	Location
1	Virginia* (ACC)	at Charlotte
16	St. Francis NY* (Northeast)/Sacramento State* (Big Sky)
8	Indiana (Big Ten)
9	Cincinnati (AAC)
4	Baylor (Big 12)	at Seattle
13	Valparaiso* (Horizon)
5	Arkansas (SEC)
12	Stephen F. Austin* (Southland)
6	SMU* (AAC)	at Portland
11	Texas (Big 12)
3	Utah (Pac-12)
14	UC Davis* (Big West)
7	Ole Miss (SEC)	at Pittsburgh
10	Purdue (Big Ten)
2	Villanova* (Big East)
15	William & Mary* (Colonial)