NCAA Tournament: Are Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Syracuse Early-Upset Risks?

The verdict is in: Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and Syracuse are No. 1 seeds in this year's installment of March Madness.

Which of the four No. 1's could be susceptible to an earlier round upset?

If any of the top-seeds are knocked out prior to the Final Four in Indianapolis, it would be nothing less than shocking, according to college basketball analysts.

Most major media outlets have forecasted that the Blue Devils, Jayhawks, Wildcats and Orange will be playing in the Circle City in April—not such a bold prediction, but it's likely. 

Or is it?

Syracuse—West

The Syracuse Orange suffered a blow when Arinze Onuaku went down with a knee injury against Georgetown.

The ailment hasn't been reported as season-ending or much to worry about—that's welcome news for the 'Cuse faithful.

Onuaku's knee-health will be a hot topic in the coming week as he's a vital component to Jim Boeheim's scheme.

Could a hot Kansas State team pull the rug from under the Orange—putting the nix on their Final Four plans?

The West bracket isn't particularly taxing, but with the likes of the Big 12 runners-up lurking, Boeheim's boys could be in for it.

The No. 2-seeded Wildcats and Orange could presumably tangle in the Elite 8, and if they do, a Wildcat win wouldn't exactly be an upset.

It would be more like a surprise because nearly everyone has the Orange slated to play in Indy.

So what about an upset?

No. 4 Vanderbilt could pull the job off. Again, not exactly an upset, but unlikely.

The No. 5 Butler Bulldogs are known as a darkhorse clan, they could potentially put an end to the Orange's season in the Sweet 16.

However, a loss to Vermont would qualify as a shocker. The Catamounts did it in 2005—could they do it again five years later?

Kentucky—East

The Wildcats slid by the Mississippi State Bulldogs by a whisker in the SEC Tournament title match.

In a 75-74 overtime win over the under(bull)dog Mississippi State squad, Kentucky looked vulnerable to a team that was capable of dishing out some of coach John Calipari's own medicine: physical play.

John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins are two of the elite hoopers in the nation and should lead the 'Cats to a Final Four, according to reputable pundits.

Where could they encounter a bump in the road that would flatten their tires?

The East bracket is competitive.

The Wisconsin Badgers, New Mexico Lobos and West Virginia Mountaineers all occupy seeds within it—that means there's potential for a Kentucky loss sometime before the Final Four.

A loss to Bo Ryan's Badgers could hinder Calipari's aspirations of a national title. Again, not so much of an upset but it would spark a "wow" debate.

If Kentucky is able to get past the rough and tough Big Ten-style of play that Wisconsin will throw at it, there's still West Virginia.

The No. 2 Mountaineers have a better than 50-50 shot at getting to Indy.

Da'Sean Butler, Wellington Smith and Kevin Jones were on fire in the Big East Tournament. Bob Huggins' team is coming into the tournament riding a wave of confidence like no other—watch out Kentucky, these guys are for real.

And finally, don't count out the Texas Longhorns. Dexter Pittman vs. Cousins could be an interesting duel. The 'Horns are lacking depth at the guard-slot, but are capable of possibly knocking off the Wall-led 'Cats if they can go back in time and channel the December version of themselves.

Duke—South

Mike Krzyzewski's latest accomplishments are ACC Tournament and regular season championships—again.

The Blue Devils are said to have a cakewalk to the Elite 8.

Is that accurate?

Looking at the South Region bracket, one would be inclined to answer yes to that inquiry.

It doesn't look like the smart kids will encounter a formidable opponent until they meet the No. 2 Villanova Wildcats in the Elite 8.

That is, if the Devils make it that far.

Sienna, the 13th-seeded team in the region are an upset minded bunch. Cinderellas are in the ball for a reason—to dance.

A loss in the Sweet 16 would be a catastrophic disappointment, not only for Coach K but for his players. Does Sienna possess the gumption to topple a giant?

Duke has compiled a solid resume of wins this season, and it's a likely Final Four participant.

Could Villanova's Scottie Reynolds ruin ACC Player of the Year runner-up Jon Scheyer's plans?

That could prove to be one of the playoffs top sparring sessions should the Dukies make it there in one piece.

Kansas—Midwest

Okay, so the Jayhawks have the toughest trek to Indianapolis. Bill Self knows that and so does Sherron Collins. Xavier Henry got the memo, too, so don't worry.

The birds are the sexy pick of this year's 65-team melee, but are they a lock to reach the Midwest's basketball Mecca?

Tom Izzo's pesky Michigan State Spartans stand in the Jayhawks' way. Five Final Fours since 1999 speaks volumes. So does 13 straight tournament appearances and a national championship.

Evan Turner and his Big Ten Tournament champion Buckeyes will be another roadblock.

Even Maryland, Georgetown, and Tennessee have something to say about the Jayhawks' chances—and all three squads will firmly post-up in Kansas' path.

Was it mentioned that this is a tough bracket? That might be a colossal understatement.

Draymond Green and Raymar Morgan could likely be Kansas' opponents in the Sweet 16. A five-seed beating a one-seed doesn't seem impossible.

The Spartans were led by last year's Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas in the meeting just a year ago. A Lucas floater in the lane over Collins to beat Kansas by five reminded viewers why he's called "Too Easy" by Spartan fans.

Will Cole Aldrich be worn down by the array of defenders that Tom Izzo will employ to blanket the Kansas big-man?

Delvon Roe, Green, and Garrick Sherman will be clocking in to make sure Aldrich doesn't go bananas. Don't forget about the wide-bodied freshman that Izzo has in his back pocket—Derrick Nix.

Kansas is picked to win it all, but there's some dangerous talent looking to clip its wings.

March Madness is upon us, college basketball junkies. Try to make sure you don't forget to sleep, eat, or go to work.