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3 College Basketball Teams That Could Steal No. 1 Seeds From San Diego State and Gonzaga

By Jackson Thompson

Tre Jones and Duke lurking as potential No. 1 seed
Tre Jones and Duke lurking as potential No. 1 seed / Peyton Williams/Getty Images

UNLV's shocking 66-63 upset victory over No. 4 San Diego State hasn't quite created a power vacuum in the NCAA Tournament seeding, but it has certainly opened the door for discussion about a new No. 1 seed. Add in BYU's win over Gonzaga, and we truly know nothing about the looming seeding battle.

Three teams in particular could look at Saturday's upset as an opportunity to take move up, and claim a top seed for March Madness.

3. Maryland

Maryland takes on Ohio State at the XFINITY Center
Maryland takes on Ohio State at the XFINITY Center / G Fiume/Getty Images

Dominating the Big Ten has to count for something. In the case of No. 7 Maryland, not only have they dominated their conference, but they have done so in a year where it's been particularly impressive. San Diego State has fed on a mediocre Mountain West Conference in 2020, a feat that pales in comparison to what the Terrapins have done to this point.

2. Kentucky

Kentucky faces Florida at Rupp Arena
Kentucky faces Florida at Rupp Arena / Silas Walker/Getty Images

The No. 10 Wildcats are surging in the month of February, going 6-1, and building a considerable resume for a No. 1 seed. Kentucky will have a chance to bolster that resume with one more pelt when it travels to No. 13 Auburn for the last game of the month. The Tigers handed the Wildcats their only loss this month, and mark their toughest opponent for the remainder of the season.

1. Duke

Duke takes on Virginia Tech at Cameron Indoor Stadium
Duke takes on Virginia Tech at Cameron Indoor Stadium / Grant Halverson/Getty Images

The No. 6 Blue Devils may wind up being a No. 1 seed anyway, but in the wake of San Diego State and Gonzaga's losses, it should be all-but a sure thing. The perennial college hoops powerhouse was a No. 1 seed last year, and despite losing a ton of talent are still in prime position to make a run this March. This season, they don't look any worse than any of the previous three teams that have gotten no worse than a No. 2 seed, and their play as of late might suggest they just need a strong finish to round out a No. 2 seed resume. Despite a loss to NC State last week, Duke could be in prime position to impress the committee moving forward.