Villanova in the hunt for a No. 1 seed

THE MADNESS is a little more palpable now, especially up on the Main Line, where Villanova has put itself in the conversation for a No. 1 seed.

Gonzaga's loss to BYU on Saturday has opened things up a bit. And when the conference tournaments get rolling in another week or so, there are bound to be more upsets.

So why is getting a No. 1 seed important?

* Since 1985, 18 of the 30 national championships have been won by No. 1 seeds. Four No. 2 seeds have won it.

* A No. 1 seed has never lost to a No. 16 in 120 meetings. No. 2 seeds have been beaten by No. 15s seven times.

* In the last 30 years, 39.2 percent of No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Final Four. For No. 2 seeds, that number is 20.8 percent. No. 1 seeds are nearly twice as likely to get to the Final Four as No. 2s.

Obviously, there are exceptions. Villanova's 1985 team remains the lowest seed to win the title, at No. 8, and Connecticut won it last year as a No. 7. But before UConn's magical run, No. 1 seeds had won the championship six of the previous seven seasons.

Here's a look at who is in the hunt for a No. 1 this year. Note: RPI is through Sunday.

Kentucky (29-0)

Losses: None

RPI: 1. vs. RPI Top 50: 11-0.

Remaining schedule

Tonight: at Georgia (RPI: 32), 9 p.m., ESPN

Saturday: vs. Florida (83), 2 p.m., CBS

March 11-15: SEC Tournament (Nashville)

Outlook: Only an absolute faceplant would keep the Wildcats from being the No. 1 overall seed. We're talking losing the last two regular-season games and their first SEC Tournament game - and getting hammered in all three. They've won their last five games by an average of 22 points, so that ain't likely.

Virginia (28-1)

Loss: vs. Duke (RPI: 3)

RPI: 3. vs. RPI Top 50: 7-1.

Remaining schedule

Saturday: at Louisville (RPI: 15), 6:30 p.m., ESPN

March 10-14: ACC Tournament (Greensboro, N.C.)

Outlook: The Cavaliers could withstand a close loss to Louisville and a loss in the ACC final. If they beat Louisville, they probably still will get a No. 1 seed by getting to the ACC semis. The Cavaliers have won all seven games since losing Justin Anderson to a broken finger. Anderson, who was leading UVa in scoring, is expected back soon.

Duke (26-3)

Losses: at Notre Dame (RPI: 27), at N.C. State (50), Miami (70).

RPI: 4. vs. RPI Top 50: 9-2.

Remaining schedule

Tomorrow: vs. Wake Forest (RPI: 116), 8 p.m., no local TV

Saturday: at North Carolina (12), 9 p.m., ESPN

March 10-14: ACC Tournament (Greensboro, N.C.)

Outlook: The Devils have won nine in a row. If they get to the ACC championship game unscathed, it will be 13 in a row and they will have a solid argument for a No. 1 seed, even if they don't win that title game. Because they play in the same league, Duke or Virginia will lose again before the NCAA Tournament.

Villanova (27-2)

Losses: at Georgetown (RPI: 24), at Seton Hall (72)

RPI: 5. vs. RPI Top 50: 10-1.

Remaining schedule

Tonight: at Creighton (RPI: 125), 9:15 p.m., FS1

Saturday: vs. St. John's (28), 2 p.m., Fox

March 11-14: Big East Tournament (New York)

Outlook: The Wildcats have won 10 in a row, eight by double digits. Gonzaga's loss on Saturday opened the door for Villanova to get the last No. 1 seed. If 'Nova falters, it will need teams beneath it to stumble.

Wisconsin (26-3)

Losses: vs. Duke (RPI: 4), at Maryland (10), at Rutgers (152)

RPI: 6. vs. RPI Top 50: 8-2.

Remaining schedule

Thursday: at Minnesota (RPI: 78), 7 p.m., ESPN

Sunday: at Ohio State (33), 4:30 p.m., CBS

March 11-15: Big Ten Tournament (Chicago)

Outlook: Frank Kaminsky (concussion) did not play in the loss to Rutgers, and point guard Traevon Jackson injured his leg early in the second half. One knock is the Badgers lack notable road wins, which can be resolved this week by winning at Minnesota and at Ohio State. If Wisky wins out, and Villanova loses, the Badgers should slide into a No. 1 seed.

Arizona (26-3)

Losses: at Arizona State (RPI: 91), at UNLV (88), at Oregon State (106),

RPI: 7. vs. RPI Top 50: 6-0.

Remaining schedule

Thursday: vs. California (RPI: 97), 9 p.m., ESPN

Saturday: vs. Stanford (56), 4 p.m., CBS

March 11-14: Pac-12 Tournament (Las Vegas)

Outlook: Those three losses are awful unsightly, but the Wildcats have beaten Gonzaga (RPI: 9), Utah (13) and Oregon (35) twice. If they don't have enough to claim a No. 1 seed, perhaps the win over Gonzaga will keep them from being the No. 2 in Kentucky's region.

Gonzaga (29-2)

Losses: at Arizona (RPI: 7), BYU (39)

RPI: 9. vs. RPI Top 50: 4-2.

Remaining schedule

March 6-10: West Coast Conference Tournament (Las Vegas)

Outlook: Fumbled away the chance at a No. 1 seed by losing to BYU on Saturday night. Best wins are home against SMU and over Georgia and St. John's in the NIT early-season tournament.

Kansas (23-6)

Losses: vs. Kentucky (RPI: 1), at Iowa State (17), at West Virginia (21), at Temple (40), at Oklahoma State (43), at Kansas State (76).

RPI: 2. vs. RPI Top 50: 10-5.

Remaining schedule

Tonight: vs. West Virginia (RPI: 21), 9 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday: at Oklahoma (14), 4 p.m., ESPN

March 11-14: Big 12 Tournament (Kansas City)

Outlook: The consensus is the Big 12 is the nation's best conference, but it's hard to see enough happening for Kansas to overcome six losses and jump up to a No. 1 seed. Two of those defeats were by 25 at Temple and by 32 to Kentucky in a game in Indianapolis. If the Jayhawks win out, 15 of their 28 wins would likely have come against teams in the RPI top 50.

Two other Daily News sports writers size up the current state of the NCAA Tournament's top seeds:

Dick Jerardi

1. Kentucky

2. Virginia

3. Villanova

4. Arizona

5. Duke

6. Wisconsin

7. Gonzaga

8. Wichita St.

Mike Kern

1. Kentucky

2. Virginia

3. Duke

4. Villanova

5. Arizona

6. Wisconsin

7. Gonzaga

8. Kansas