ESPN.com - NCB - Sweetening up Championship Week

The Pac-10 still refuses to join Championship Week. Therefore, the team on top will play two more regular season games this week before being awarded its No. 1 seed. But at week's end, conference tournaments will culminate with Selection Sunday and ESPN.com's Sweet 16 will fade into a NCAA Tournament bracket.

But before tourney games prove how much ESPN.com knows about the future, we thought it would be fun to see how much we knew, or thought we knew, three months ago. While you can always click on past ESPN.com Sweet 16s to the right to track the process, we'll confess Seton Hall was among the top 16 three months ago.

As always, your opinions are welcomed. Click here to voice your approval or disdain for this week's Sweet 16.

(Records as of Sunday, March 4)

No. 1 Seeds

TEAM

Stanford
Record: 27-1

Duke
Record: 26-4

Illinois
Record: 23-6

Florida
Record: 22-5

COMMENT
As long as flu bug stays away, Cardinal look Final Four bound out of West.
Up Next: One last Pac-10 test Thursday vs. Arizona.

Repeat after us: "Don't underestimate Duke. NEVER underestimate Duke." Are we underestimating Duke?
Up Next: Hopefully, a trilogy in Greensboro.

Tell us again how United Center is a neutral court. We're sure Arizona would agree.
Up Next: Enters Big Ten tourney as No. 1 seed.

Gators' can make strong argument for South's No. 1 seed as long as they survive SEC tourney.
Up Next: Potential semifinal clash with hot Hogs.

No. 2 Seeds

TEAM

Michigan State
Record: 24-3

Iowa State
Record: 25-4

North Carolina
Record: 23-5

UCLA
Record: 20-7

COMMENT
The Spartans shared the regular-season crown -- again. Can they win nine straight in postseason again?
Up Next: No easy week in Chicago.

For some reason, Cyclones just figure to be odd team out in Midwest race for No. 1 seed.
Up Next: Chance avenge Austin debacle in Big 12 semis?

Sundays just suck in Chapel Hill. But Heels will be the team out for revenge should they get to next Sunday.
Up Next: Shooting could start on Episode III on Sunday.

Couldn't sweep Stanford, but still only team in country to beat Cardinal. Could press its way into elite company.
Up Next: Trip to shaky Washington.

No. 3 Seeds

TEAM

Kentucky
Record: 19-9

Maryland
Record: 20-9

Kansas
Record: 23-5

Boston College
Record: 23-4

COMMENT
Dropped first two of the season on neutral court. Don't figure to do same this week in Nashville.
Up Next: Mississippi's best, then Gators again?

Win at Duke doesn't have such a big asterisks anymore. Most likely team to ruin triology in Greensboro.
Up Next: Wake Forest, then Duke?

The Gooden news is Drew's back in the lineup for the Big 12 tourney. Can Kansas recapture chemistry?
Up Next: Week to play way back into No. 2 seed.

The Eagles have been too good for too long to be a surprise in Big East tourney. Still hard to believe they're the team at beat in MSG.
Up Next: Can they give 3 strong outings in a row?

No. 4 Seeds

TEAM

Virginia
Record: 20-7

Oklahoma
Record: 23-6

St. Joseph's
Record: 24-5

Arizona
Record: 21-7

COMMENT
Up to old tricks away from Charlottesville. Must prove they can beat quality foes while wearing black.
Up Next: Desparate GaTech, then potentially UNC.

Sooners aren't letting loss of Raymond affect them -- yet. Big 12 tourney will be first true test without him.
Up Next: Possible semifinal matchup with Kansas.

We've taken the (Pa.) off. We've ranked 'em. They're safely in the dance. Now, maybe Martelli can relax.
Up Next: Week of being A-10's top seed in Philly.

Another smooth week in the desert. Won't win Pac-10, but could steal Championship Week headlines this week.
Up Next: Trip into Maples for clash with No. 1.

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ESPN.com Sweet 16