Commentary

Syracuse best bet for a No. 1 seed

An early look at the bracket shows the Orange sitting pretty

Originally Published: January 3, 2012
By Joe Lunardi | ESPN Insider

Welcome back to the expanded edition of Joe Lunardi's Rundown. Beginning with this installment, this series will feature Tournament Odds, an element that will take you deeper into Bracketology. Bracketology provides a snapshot of how the bracket looks on a specific day, but through the use of Lunardi's extensive database of previous seasons, tournament odds tell you how the bracket is likely to look come Selection Sunday.

Top line report

There are some awfully good teams in college basketball this season, but Syracuse (15-0) has emerged as No. 1 in the polls and the clear No. 1 overall seed for NCAA tournament projection purposes. More importantly, the Orange boast the nation's best slate of quality wins and have, obviously, not hurt themselves with any bad losses. The first half of the Big East schedule is relatively friendly, so Syracuse could still be perfect at the end of January. All of that combines to give the Orange the best shot of securing a No. 1 seed come March, as reflected in their No. 1 odds of 65 percent. But that doesn't mean they won't be passed for No. 1 overall.


For Lunardi's in-depth report that goes beyond Bracketology, plus complete access to Insider's college hoops coverage, become an ESPN Insider.

Joe Lunardi | email

Senior Writer, ESPN.com
  • Resident college basketball bracketologist for ESPN
  • Contributor to SportsCenter, ESPN Insider
  • Published first public bracket in 1995

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