Joe Lunardi reveals where Kansas will play first NCAA Tournament weekend, makes case for No. 1 seed

Kansas holds one of the most impressive resumes in college basketball just a couple days before Selection Sunday. The Jayhawks now have 17 Quadrant 1 wins — by far the most in the country — and that number is a big reason why ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi made the case for Kansas to be the No. 1 overall seed.

Kansas picked up yet another impressive victory Friday night with a 71-58 victory over Iowa State to clinch a spot in the Big 12 Tournament championship. With so many quality victories and after winning the top conference in the country this year, according to KenPom, Lunardi said the Jayhawks would be his choice for the top overall seed in March Madness. He also projected them to play in the Midwest Regional and start the NCAA Tournament in Des Moines regardless of their overall seeding.

“If I were in the room, Kansas would have cemented the No. 1 overall seed with that victory tonight,” Lunardi said. “I just don’t see how you can deny the overwhelming quality of their resume. Winning the best league in the country outright and now, reaching the championship game. We also run into the annual practical concerns of it’s getting late tomorrow night when Kansas plays the final. It’s even later in the process on Sunday afternoon if Alabama is still alive.

“Either way, they’re going to Des Moines, they’re going to be the top seed in the Midwest [Region]. Whether that’s the second-ranked region or the first really has no bearing on the ability of Kansas to repeat as national champion.”

Jalen Wilson explains biggest key to Kansas’ run to Big 12 Tournament championship

Kansas’ regular season ended with a loss to Texas on March 4. In that game, the Jayhawks’ defense struggled, giving up 75 points en route to the 14-point loss.

Through two Big 12 Tournament games, defense has been the name of the game for Kansas, which is now heading to the championship game once again after defeating Iowa State Friday night. Jalen Wilson said that’s by design. Defense was the focal point heading into the tournament.

“Just keying in on defending,” Wilson told ESPN’s Kris Budden. “Making that the most important part of the game. If we can just guard and make teams play bad, the offense will take care of itself.”