It’s no secret that No. 1 seeds go deep in the tournament. At least one No. 1 seed has made the Final Four every year except for 1980 and 2006. However, only once (1979) have all the No. 1 seeds made it to the Final Four, and the championship game has matched two No. 1 seeds only six times. Considering the disparity among this year’s No. 1 seeds versus the rest of the nation, these are my picks for the Final Four.

No. 1 Kansas is my first pick to make the Final Four. The Wildcats are also my pick for the national championship because they will be playing with a chip on their shoulder following last year’s upset loss to Northern Iowa. That and their talent across the board has them in good position for their second national title in four years. The Southwest is a tough region with Notre Dame, Purdue and Louisville but they have a favorable road, starting with Boston University in the first round.

No. 1 Ohio State is my second pick to make the Final Four. The Buckeyes earned the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament and are my pick to lose to Kansas in the national championship game. But, they should make the Final Four based on their balanced attack beyond the arc with the one of the best big men down low in Jared Sullinger. The Buckeyes lost only twice this year, both of which came on the road against Wisconsin and Purdue. Their biggest competition out of the East will be North Carolina, Syracuse and Kentucky but they start with Texas-San Antonio in the first round.

Pittsburgh is my third pick to make the Final Four. The Panthers are the No. 1 seed out of the Southeast with talented teams like Florida, BYU and Kansas State. They are one of a record 11 Big East teams to make the NCAA Tournament and despite losing to Connecticut in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals, I think they can handle this region. Florida has been inconsistent and BYU doesn’t have an inside presence anymore. They face North Carolina-Asheville in the first round.

No. 3 Connecticut is my fourth pick to make the Final Four. You may be arguing that No. 1 Duke is more likely to make it to the Final Four over UConn and Pittsburgh, but Duke showed too much weakness this year. The Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament over a spotty North Carolina team. But the difference in talent between the ACC and Big East is huge this year. Connecticut won five games in five days in a loaded Big East Tournament. UConn will probably have to get past San Diego State to face Duke in the Elite Eight. I’m taking UConn over Duke because they are more balanced offensively and defensively. Nolan Smith may have the edge over Kemba Walker but I think UConn has an easier road to the Final Four. The Huskies face No. 14 Bucknell in the first round.

NCAA Tournament Second Round Match Odds (odds provided by William Hill)

No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 16 Boston U

Kansas: 1/100

Boston U: 20/1

Point Spread: Kansas -22.5

Over/Under: 136.5

No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 16 Texas-San Antonio

Ohio State: 1/500

Texas-San Antonio: 1/500

Point Spread: Ohio State -23.5

Over/Under: 138

No. 1 Pittsburgh vs. No. 16 NC-Asheville

Pittsburgh: 1/33

NC-Asheville: 10/1

Point Spread: Pittsburgh -17.5

Over/Under: 135.5

No. 3 Connecticut vs. No. 14 Bucknell

Connecticut: 1/6

Bucknell: 4/1

Point Spread: Connecticut -10

Over/Under: 133

No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Hampton

Duke: 1/100

Hampton: 20/1

Point Spread: Duke -23

Over/Under: 134