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We could stop at six or seven, given the weakness of the field in general this season and the remarkable strength at the top. But that wouldn’t be much fun.

How impressive are the teams on the top two seed lines? Combined they own a 244-17 record, a .934 winning percentage. Last year’s No. 1 and No. 2 seeds were 227-40, an .850 percentage.

As such, the teams through the heart of the field are less than inspiring. But we soldiered on, because that is the job. The criteria for the ranking involves the most important factors for winning it all: NBA-level talent, offensive and defensive efficacy, an attractive draw.

Here they are, 1-68:

  1. Kentucky. Do you take Kentucky or the field? That is the question that defines this week.

  2. Arizona. The Western Wildcats appear to be one team constructed well to defeat Kenucky. But they need to avoid scoring droughts.

  3. Wisconsin. This is not a typical Wisconsin defensive team, but it’s the best offensive team in the school’s history and No. 1 in the nation.

  4. Duke. If the Blue Devils could guard, they might not be far off Kentucky’s heels.

  5. Gonzaga. People are just waiting for the Zags to flop. What if they don’t?

  6. Virginia. If Justin Anderson hadn’t been injured, UVa might have been fourth on this list. We’re not gambling on him getting healthy and readjusted even in 10 days.

  7. Kansas. What Bill Self has done with this jumbled team to win one title and nearly another is remarkable. But the only reason the Jayhawks are this high is the potential for Kelly Oubre to carry them.

  8. Villanova. Not a single player on this team is projected to be drafted in 2015 or 2016 by DraftExpress.com. In college basketball’s modern era there never has been an NCAA champion without a draft pick. Where’s that leave us?

  9. Notre Dame. If the Irish could defend, they might rank ahead of Villanova.

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  1. North Carolina

  2. Iowa State

  3. Baylor

  4. Utah

  5. Maryland. The Terps’ big guys were flat worn out after 1½ games at the Big Ten Tournament. Even if they can get past Valpo, it might be tough for them also to outlast WVU.

  6. Louisville

  7. Arkansas

  8. Northern Iowa

  9. Providence

  10. Michigan State. If the Spartans play as it did in the Big Ten Tournament – and this is March, isn’t it? – they could be trouble for Virginia.

  11. West Virginia

  12. Wichita State

  13. Georgetown

  14. Texas – This team will find a way to lose at the first possible opportunity. But there are multiple pros on the roster, and you need pros to win this thing, and who else has them?

  15. SMU

  16. Iowa

  17. Oklahoma

  18. Butler

  19. N.C. State – This is a curious team that is dangerous to itself and to others. The Wolfpack are just as likely to shoot themselves out of a game as they are to bury a defense with dynamic attack.

  20. Oregon

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  1. VCU

  2. Purdue — If the Boilers hadn’t slept through December and slumbered their way into an 8/9 game – in Kentucky’s region, no less, with no one to blame but themselves – they might have had a solid shot at a Sweet 16 run.

  3. Cincinnati

  4. San Diego State

  5. St. John’s

  6. Ohio State – Enjoy your last look at D’Angelo Russell before he disappears onto a really bad NBA roster.

  7. Davidson

  8. Xavier – Man, the committee loved the Big East. Enough to forgive a loss to Auburn, apparently.

  9. LSU. Committee forgave the Tigers’ loss to Auburn, also. Maybe they like Bruce Pearl?

  10. Stephen F. Austin

  11. Boise State

  12. Dayton

  13. UCLA. The Bruins have a pro or two, also. How come Texas is so much higher? Because we only have so much patience.

  14. BYU

  15. Georgia

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  1. Ole Miss

  2. Buffalo. Played Kentucky tough. Play Wisconsin tough. You don’t get bonus points for that, but you do get respect.

  3. Valparaiso

  4. Wofford

  5. Indiana

  6. Wyoming

  7. Oklahoma State

  8. UAB

  9. Harvard

  10. Georgia State

  11. Northeastern.

  12. UC Irvine

  13. Eastern Washington. The nation’s leading scorer, Tyler Harvey (22.9 points), plays for the Eagles. So you can say you knew.

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  1. New Mexico State.

  2. Belmont

  3. Albany

  4. Texas Southern. Coached by Mike Davis, who has a Final Four on his resume, TSU beat both Michigan State and Kansas State on the road. Be warned, Arizona.

  5. North Dakota State

  6. Lafayette.

  7. Coastal Carolina.

  8. Robert Morris. I don’t think the Colonials are this bad. The committee does. So their best-case scenario is getting fed to Duke. That should be fun.

  9. North Florida.

  10. Manhattan.

  11. Hampton