Joe Lunardi’s recent bracketology has Kansas as one seed in Midwest

Kansas Jayhawks Basketball

Joe Lunardi, ESPN’s head bracketologist, has Kansas as the top overall seed in March Madness in his most updated bracket. They are the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region.

Some might have thought their loss to Texas would hurt their chances at a No. 1 seed, but that does not seem to be true. Lunardi believes that the top spots are between Kansas and Alabama, and he gave the edge to the Jayhawks because of their advantage in quality wins and the strength of the conference they won.

Does this mean that KU is an absolute lock to garner the best spot in the Midwest? Not quite. Getting bounced early in the Big 12 Tournament could move them to a different region, or they could bump to a No. 2 seed. Still, things are looking positive for Selection Sunday right now.

Kansas does not need to win the Big 12 Tournament outright. If they get to the semifinal or the final game and do not lose a lopsided match, that should be enough to convince the committee.

A scenario is that Kansas could drop down in the rankings if Texas wins the conference tournament and the Jayhawks lose early on. Texas has the second most Quadrant 1 wins in the country, directly after Kansas, and they could make a serious case to be the last No. 1 seed should they win out in the tourney. It’s not likely, but it is something to watch out for.

The Jayhawks would likely prefer a No. 2 seed in the Midwest to being moved elsewhere. Schools in this group play the first few games in Des Moines, Iowa, three hours east of Lawrence. Although it is not the ideal trip, it is much better for KU fans to travel there than Birmingham or Sacramento.

Whatever Lunardi’s words are should be trusted. He is not part of the Selection Sunday committee, but he is very knowledgeable about bracketology and how the bracket works. If he thinks the Jayhawks are the best team in the country, Bill Self and company are probably in good hands on Selection Sunday.