The Kentucky Wildcats, Syracuse Orange, North Carolina Tar Heels and Michigan State Spartans have been named the four No. 1 seeds for the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
Kentucky, inarguably the best team in college basketball at this point in time, got rewarded for its strong campaign this year with the No. 1 overall seed. Despite their loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC tourney, the Wildcats' 32-2 final mark and 16-0 run through their conference earned them at the top spot in the South Region bracket.
Syracuse, a team that was mired by controversy both at the beginning and end of this year, earned the top seed in the East Bracket thanks to a 31-2 final mark and a 17-1 conference record. The Orange lost in the Big East Tournament to eventual runner-up Cincinnati, but clearly that didn’t alter their position in the Big Dance one way or the other.
North Carolina, a preseason favorite to win the championship this year, earned the top seed in the Midwest Bracket as the result of a 29-5 regular season mark and 14-2 conference record. The Tar Heels lost in the ACC tournament to eventual champion Florida State.
Michigan State, a team that nobody expected much of anything from early, earned a top seed in the West Bracket following an impressive 27-7 regular season campaign and 13-5 mark in the toughest conference in college hoops. The Spartans also won the Big Ten tournament with a 68-64 victory over Ohio State, a feat that likely earned them their top position in the NCAA Tournament.
Related Content
2012 NCAA Tournament: West Region Breakdown
2012 NCAA Tournament: Midwest Region Breakdown
2012 NCAA Tournament: East Region Breakdown
2012 NCAA Tournament: South Region Breakdown
Video: Bob Knight Gets Emotional Discussing Son Pat Earning NCAA Bid
Auburn’s Varez Ward Involved in Point-Shaving Scandal?