… or Georgetown (16) … Case for a No. 1 seed: The Hoyas are the only team hotter in the Big East than Notre Dame. They've won eight straight, half of them against RPI top-25 competition. Their nonconference schedule was excellent, with only one opponent in the RPI 200s and seven of 12 games away from home. Like the Irish, they have no bad losses. RPI is a believer, ranking the Hoyas No. 4.

Case against: There might not be any bad ones, but there are five losses, including three in a row at one point. And two of those defeats are against in-conference competition for No. 1 seeding: Pitt and Notre Dame. Sagarin (No. 8) and Pomeroy (No. 14) are nonbelievers.

Road to Selection Sunday: Combined league record of remaining Big East opponents is 23-28, so the roll could continue. Big East tourney will, of course, be a freak show.

Projected record going into the Big Dance: 27-6.

Pat Forde Speculates on the Hoya's shot at a #1 seed