Making the Case For Virginia Cavaliers Being A No. 1 Seed

Playing revolutionary defense isn’t the only reason the Virginia Cavaliers have permitted just one loss this season, but it’s a good indicator that they’ll have yet again another solid NCAA tournament showing.

Virginia currently holds the 3rd spot in NCAA Division I RPI rankings, and it’s deserved, as the Cavaliers have weathered a top-tier schedule. The Cavaliers boast quality wins over the Maryland Terrapins, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Louisville Cardinals.

Do I dare say the Cavaliers are even better than last year? Because they are. Tony Bennett has taken a perfect defensive scheme and polished it. Virginia’s “pack line” defense continues to stymie opponents as the Cavaliers have held their foes to just 50.1 points per game — good enough for first in Division I.

They say defense wins championships, and at the level Virginia suffocates their adversaries, it’s their defense that will ultimately convince the selection committee to grant them a well-deserved No. 1 seed. It’s the fighting chance that Virginia has to settle the score with the Duke Blue Devils in the ACC tournament that will propel them to realize their potential to be designated a premiere team.

The Kentucky Wildcats may get their desired venues, and the Kansas Jayhawks may ride the ideal that the Big 12 is college basketball’s strongest conference, but Virginia is right there, and their evisceration of quality opponents over the course of an entire season is the reason they’ll be the kings in their corner of the bracket.

Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Jerry on Twitter at @Jerry2Landry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.