March Madness 2011 Bracket: Power Ranking the Top Seeds

It’s that time of the year again. March Madness is officially upon us.

In just a few short hours, we’ll all get to watch as our brackets begin to deteriorate right before our very eyes.

This tournament is shaping up to be one of the wildest and most unpredictable in recent memory, and as always, there should be no shortage of thrills and buzzer-beaters.

Say what you will about the downturn the game of college basketball has taken over the last decade or so, but there’s no denying that March Madness is still one of the most exciting events in all of sports.

While teams such as Ohio State and Kansas enter the 2011 tournament as some of the top favorites, there’s no true "it" team this year.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see a few high seeds go down early, just as we saw with Kansas last year when the Jayhawks were shocked by Northern Iowa in the second round.

Here’s a look at how I would rank the 16 top-four seeds in this year’s tournament.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (East No. 1)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 13: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the championship game of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 13, 2011 in Indi

Conference: Big Ten

First-Round Matchup: No. 16 Texas-San Antonio

Location: Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)

Record: 32-2 (16-2 Big Ten)

RPI: 2

AP Ranking: 1

Points Scored Per Game: 77.1

Points Allowed Per Game: 59.8

Field-Goal Percentage: 49

Top Overall Player: F Jared Sullinger (6'9'' 280 lbs, Fr.)

Scoring Leader: Jared Sullinger, 17.2 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Jared Sullinger, 10.1 RPG

Assists Leader: Aaron Craft, 4.5 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 7, Record: 10-7

Vegas Championship Odds: 7-2

2. Kansas Jayhawks (Southwest No. 1)

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12: Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates after a play against the Texas Longhorns during the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Sprint Center on March 12, 2011 in Kansas City, M

Conference: Big 12

First-Round Matchup: No. 16 Boston University

Location: BOK Center (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

Record: 32-2 (14-2)

RPI: 1

AP Ranking: 2

Points Scored Per Game: 82.4

Points Allowed Per Game: 65.2

Field-Goal Percentage: 51

Top Overall Player: F Marcus Morris (6'8'' 225 lbs, Jr.)

Scoring Leader: Marcus Morris, 17.3 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Markieff Morris, 8.2 RPG

Assists Leader: Tyshawn Taylor, 4.5 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 11, Record: 27-10

Vegas Championship Odds: 9-2

3. San Diego State Aztecs (West No. 2)

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LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 12: Kawhi Leonard #15 of the San Diego State Aztecs passes the ball during a game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center February 12, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. San Diego State won 63-57. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Gett

Conference: Mountain West

First-Round Matchup: No. 15 Northern Colorado

Location: McKale Center (Tuscon, Arizona)

Overall Record: 32-2 (14-2)

RPI: 3

AP Ranking: 6

Points Scored Per Game: 72.2

Points Allowed Per Game: 58.9

Field-Goal Percentage:46

Top Overall Player: F Kawhi Leonard (6'7'' 225 lbs, Soph.)

Scoring Leader: Kawhi Leonard, 15.4 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Kawhi Leonard, 10.7 RPG

Assists Leader: D.J. Gay, 3.2 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 3, Record: 0-3

Vegas Championship Odds: 10-1

4. Florida Gators (Southeast No. 2)

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OKLAHOMA CITY - MARCH 18: Erving Walker #11 of the Florida Gators handles the ball against the BYU Cougars during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men�s basketball tournament at Ford Center on March 18, 2010 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. BYU won 99-92 in d

Conference: SEC

First-Round Matchup: No. 15 UC-Santa Barbara

Location: St. Petersburg Times Forum (Tampa, Florida)

Overall Record: 26-7 (13-3)

RPI: 8

AP Ranking: 15

Points Scored Per Game: 71.5

Points Allowed Per Game: 63.1

Field-Goal Percentage: 46

Top Overall Player: G Erving Walker (5'8'' 170 lbs, Jr.)

Scoring Leader: Erving Walker, 14.4 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Chandler Parsons, 7.8 RPG

Assists Leader: Chandler Parsons, 3.5 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 9, Record: 20-7

Vegas Championship Odds: 18-1

5. Pittsburgh Panthers (Southeast No. 1)

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Ashton Gibbs #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers brings the ball up court against the Connecticut Huskies during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Squa

Conference: Big East

First-Round Matchup: No. 16 UNC Asheville

Location: Verizon Center (Washington D.C.)

Record: 27-5 (15-3)

RPI: 10

AP Ranking: 4

Points Scored Per Game: 74.1

Points Allowed Per Game: 61

Field-Goal Percentage: 47

Top Overall Player: G Ashton Gibbs (6'2'' 190 lbs, Jr.)

Scoring Leader: Ashton Gibbs, 16.7 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Gary McGhee, 7.6 RPG

Assists Leader: Brad Wanamaker, 5.1 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 9, Record: 14-9

Vegas Championship Odds: 8-1

6. Duke Blue Devils (West No. 1)

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils brings the ball up the court during the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro C

Conference: ACC

First-Round Matchup: No. 16 Hampton

Location: TWC Arena (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Record: 30-4 (13-3)

RPI: 4

AP Ranking: 3

Points Scored Per Game: 81.1

Points Allowed Per Game: 64.3

Field Goal Percentage: 46

Top Overall Player: G Nolan Smith (6'2'' 185 lbs, Sr.)

Scoring Leader: Nolan Smith, 21.3 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Mason Plumlee, 8.5 RPG

Assists Leader: Nolan Smith, 5.2 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 11, Record: 29-8

Vegas Championship Odds: 9-2

7. North Carolina Tar Heels (East No. 2)

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: Harrison Barnes #40 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates their 92-87 win over the Clemson Tigers during overtime in the semifinals of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 12, 2011 i

Conference: ACC

First-Round Matchup: No. 15 Long Island

Location: TWC Arena (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Overall Record: 26-7 (14-2)

RPI: 7

AP Ranking: 7

Points Scored Per Game: 76.7

Points Allowed Per Game: 67.8

Field-Goal Percentage: 44

Top Overall Player: F Harrison Barnes (6'7'' 215 lbs, Fr.)

Scoring Leader: Harrison Barnes, 15 PPG

Rebounding Leader: John Henson, 10.1 RPG

Assists Leader: Kendall Marshall, 5.8 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 8, Record: 26-6

Vegas Championship Odds: 15-1

8. Purdue Boilermakers (Southwest No. 3)

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SPOKANE,WA - MARCH 21: JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers drives the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Spokane Arena on March 21, 2010 in Spokane, Washington. Purdue de

Conference: Big Ten

First-Round Matchup: No. 14 St. Peter's

Location: United Center (Chicago, Illinois)

Record: 25-7 (14-4)

RPI: 12

AP Ranking: 13

Points Scored Per Game: 72.7

Points Allowed Per Game: 61.4

Field-Goal Percentage: 44

Top Overall Player: F JaJuan Johnson (6'10" 215 lbs, Sr.)

Scoring Leader: JaJuan Johnson, 20.6 PPG

Rebounding Leader: JaJuan Johnson, 8.2 RPG

Assists Leader: Lewis Jackson, 3.9 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 6, Record:10-6

Vegas Championship Odds: 20-1

9. Kentucky Wildcats (East No. 4)

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 13: Brandon Knight #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats dunks on the Florida Gators during the championship game of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 13, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Image

Conference: SEC

First-Round Matchup: No. 13 Princeton

Location: St. Petersburg Times Forum (Tampa, Florida)

Record: 25-8 (10-6)

RPI: 6

AP Ranking: 11

Points Scored Per Game: 76.4

Points Allowed Per Game: 63.8

Field-Goal Percentage: 46

Top Overall Player: G Brandon Knight (6'3'' 185 lbs, Fr.)

Scoring Leader: Brandon Knight, 17.5 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Terrence Jones, 8.9 RPG

Assists Leader: Brandon Knight, 4.2 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 10, Record:17-10

Vegas Championship Odds: 25-1

10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Southwest No. 2)

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Ben Hansbrough #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish brings the ball up court against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madi

Conference: Big East

First-Round Matchup: No. 15 Akron

Location: United Center (Chicago, Illinois)

Overall Record: 26-6 (14-4)

RPI: 9

AP Ranking: 5

Points Scored Per Game: 76

Points Allowed Per Game: 65.6

Field-Goal Percentage: 46

Top Overall Player: G Ben Hansbrough (6'3'' 205 lbs, Sr.)

Scoring Leader: Ben Hansbrough, 18.5 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Carleton Scott, 7.1 RPG

Assists Leader: Ben Hansbrough, 4.3 APG

Tournament  Appearances Since 2000: 6, Record: 5-6

Vegas Championship Odds: 25-1

11. Texas Longhorns (West No. 4)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 11: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Texas Longhorns dunks the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies during their semifinal game in the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 11, 2011 in Kansas City,

Conference: Big 12

First-Round Matchup: No. 13 Oakland

Location: BOC Center (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

Overall Record: 27-7 (13-3)

RPI: 11

AP Ranking: 8

Points Scored Per Game: 75

Points Allowed Per Game: 61.4

Field-Goal Percentage: 45

Top Overall Player: F Tristan Thompson (6'8'' 230 lbs, Fr.)

Scoring Leader: Jordan Hamilton, 18.6 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Tristan Thompson, 7.8 RPG

Assists Leader: Cory Joseph, 3.0 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 11, Record: 17-11

Vegas Championship Odds: 20-1

12. Louisville Cardinals (Southwest No. 4)

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: Preston Knowles #2 of the Louisville Cardinals brings the ball up court against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the semifinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison

Conference: Big East

First-Round Matchup: No. 13 Morehead State

Location: Pepsi Center (Denver, Colorado)

Record: 25-9 (12-6)

RPI: 17

AP Ranking: 14

Points Scored Per Game: 75.4

Points Allowed Per Game: 64.6

Field-Goal Percentage: 45

Top Overall Player: G Preston Knowles (6'1'' 190 lbs, Sr.)

Scoring Leader: Preston Knowles, 14.8 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Terrence Jennings, 5.2 RPG

Assists Leader: Peyton Siva, 5.3 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 8, Record: 12-8

Vegas Championship Odds: 20-1

13. Syracuse Orange (East No. 3)

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Rick Jackson #00 of Syracuse Orange shoots the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during their game at the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images

Conference: Big East

First-Round Matchup: No. 14 Indiana State

Location: Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)

Record: 26-7 (12-6)

RPI: 19

AP Ranking: 12

Points Scored Per Game: 73.6

Points Allowed Per Game: 63.3

Field-Goal Percentage: 47

Top Overall Player: F Rick Jackson (6'9'' 240 lbs, Sr.)

Scoring Leader: Kris Joseph, 14.4 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Rick Jackson, 10.6 RPG

Assists Leader: Scoop Jardine, 5.8 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 8, Record:15-7

Vegas Championship Odds: 25-1

14. Wisconsin Badgers (Southeast No. 4)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 12: Forward Jon Leuer #30 of the Wisconsin Badgers drives with the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2010 in Indianapolis,

Conference: Big Ten

First-Round Matchup: No. 13 Belmont

Location: McKale Center (Tuscon, Arizona)

Record: 23-8 (13-5)

RPI: 16

AP Ranking: 16

Points Scored Per Game: 68.2

Points Allowed Per Game: 58.3

Field-Goal Percentage: 44

Top Overall Player: F Jon Leuer (6'10'' 230 lbs, Sr.)

Scoring Leader: Jon Leuer, 18.6 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Jon Leuer, 7.3 RPG

Assists Leader: Jordan Taylor, 4.7 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 11, Record: 16-11

Vegas Championship Odds: 50-1

15. BYU Cougars (Southeast No. 3)

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young University Cougars appears on the court during a quarterfinal game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at the

Conference: Mountain West

First-Round Matchup: No. 14 Wofford

Location: Pepsi Center (Denver, Colorado)

Overall Record: 30-4 (14-2)

RPI: 5

AP Ranking: 10

Points Scored Per Game: 81.6

Points Allowed Per Game: 67.5

Field-Goal Percentage: 45

Top Overall Player: G Jimmer Fredette (6'2'' 195 lbs, Sr.)

Scoring Leader: Jimmer Fredette, 28.5 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Noah Hartsock, 6.0 RPG

Assists Leader: Jimmer Fredette, 4.2 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 7, Record:1-7

Vegas Championship Odds: 50-1

16. UConn Huskies (West No. 3)

Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies handles the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Square Gard

Conference: Big East

First-Round Matchup: No. 14 Bucknell

Location: Verizon Center (Washington D.C.)

Record: 26-9 (9-9)

RPI: 14

AP Ranking: 9

Points Scored Per Game: 73.4

Points Allowed Per Game: 66.4

Field-Goal Percentage: 43

Top Overall Player: G Kemba Walker (6'1'' 170 lbs, Jr.)

Scoring Leader: Kemba Walker, 23.5 PPG

Rebounding Leader: Alex Oriakhi, 8.5 RPG

Assists Leader: Kemba Walker, 4.3 APG

Tournament Appearances Since 2000: 8, Record: 20-7

Vegas Championship Odds: 35-1