College Basketball Handicapping – Sweet Sixteen Top Seeds

Sweet Sixteen Top Seeds

The Sweet Sixteen tips off Thursday, March 26, and I thought I would take you inside the numbers with past results for #1 seeds.  The past performance of Sweet Sixteen top seeds is proven, as #1 seeds are 82-22 SU since 1985.  Of note is that these top seeds are 23-0 SU vs. teams seeded #6 or greater.

Will Senior T.J. McConnell & Arizona get another shot at Wisconsin in Elite Eight?

Will Senior T.J. McConnell & Arizona get another shot at Wisconsin in Elite Eight?

This year’s three remaining #1 seeds and Sweet Sixteen pairings are listed below.

#1 Kentucky ( -13.5 ) vs. #5 West Virginia – Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH

#1 Wisconsin ( -6 ) vs. #4 North Carolina – Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

#1 Duke ( -5.5 ) vs. #4 Utah – Houston, TX

So with history as our guide, note that #1 seeds are 59-22 SU vs. teams seeded #4 or #5.  Recent history shows three #1 seeds losing the last two years to #4 seeds.

2014

#1 Virginia ( +2.5 ) lost to #4 Michigan State 61-59

2013

#1 Indiana ( -5 ) lost to #4 Syracuse 61-50

#1 Kansas ( -1 ) lost to #4 Michigan 87-85 in OT

In 2012, another #1 seed lost to #4 seed

#1 Michigan State ( -5.5 ) lost to #4 seed Louisville 57-44

In 2011, two more upsets of #1 top-seeded teams

#1 Ohio State ( -5.5 ) lost to #4 Kentucky 62-60

#1 Duke ( -9.5 ) lost to #5 Arizona 93-77

There is another statistical profile that points to #1 seeds being more vulnerable to losing to a #4 or #5 seed in this round.  It’s a solid situation that uses scoring margin as another criteria in pointing to Sweet Sixteen winners.  Email me if you would like these situations – [email protected].

If you don’t have the time, energy or ability to consistently research stats and profiles that produce profit, then become a Fairway Follower and join me as a Member for the rest of the NCAA Tourney.

Best wishes in the Sweet Sixteen and beyond, and may you profit from the experience.

Author: FairwayJay is a leading national sports betting analyst, writer, handicapper and sports betting insider providing insight and information you can bet on for nearly two decades from Las Vegas. He chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events for leading media and sports betting sites and companies. Follow him on X (Twitter): @FairwayJay