The Avenue's Power Seeds

Here is our weekly prediction of the top four seeds in the NCAA's as of right now:

The 1's:

Duke (Have defeated UNC, Maryland twice, Tennessee, Bowling Green, NC State, Pittsburgh, Texas and Rutgers. Undefeated and playing dominant ball right now with POY candidate Lindsey Harding. The ACC Tournament could be a trap with UNC and Maryland wanting to trip up the Devils)

North Carolina (While they stumbled against NC State and Duke, UNC is still right up there in the hunt. Marquee wins over Tennessee and UConn, as well as Maryland. Have a chance to upset Duke in Durham to ruin Duke's undefeated regular season, but Ivory Latta isn't what she was last year.)

Tennessee (POY candidate Candace Parker is what keeps this team in contention. Lose her for any reason, Tennessee will struggle big time. They have played the toughest schedule of anyone, but weren't able to off Duke or UNC and have had scares against UConn and LSU. Should wrap up an undefeated SEC season unless they trip against rival Vanderbilt)

UConn (It's funny that you don't go to the final four in two seasons after winning four championships this decade and all the sudden people think you're an underdog. UConn has clawed its way up to the 1's quietly and under the radar. Haven't scored a big win all season over fellow 1's UNC or Tennessee, but did escape Baton Rouge by one point in a battle with a 2, LSU. Should roll through the Big East Tourney. If they don't, they are a 2.)

The 2's:

Maryland (The defending national champions in a three-way tie for third in the ACC with NC State and FSU? What has happened Brenda Frese? If you win the ACC Tourney, you're a 1)

Arizona State (Charly Turner-Thorne's team should win the Pac-10 Tourney against Stanford, who lost their starting PG following their two narrow wins over ASU. This is a dangerous team. If they don't win the Pac-10 Tourney, they are a 3.)

LSU (Poor Pokey. All five losses this season are by a combined 11 points to Baylor, Ole Miss, Georgia, Tennessee and UConn. What does this mean? LSU is capable of playing with anyone and beating any of the top tier teams. Five losses should not keep them off the second line come March.)

Ohio State (A horribly overrated Buckeye team all season long and all last year, proven by their early tourney upset to Boston College. With or without Hoskins they should have been a two seed. Winning the Big Ten doesn't help either because the conference is as weak as ever. Lost to MSU last week, finish on a slump and the Bucks are a borderline 4.)

The 3's:

Oklahoma (Suprisingly sluggish this season, but still they have Courtney Paris and other teams don't)

Stanford (Could be a 2 if they win the Pac-10 Tourney. Bad losses to Cal and BYU during the season push them down in my mind)

Georgia (Should have been a national title contender this year, but have faltered. Still dangerous.)

George Washington (A mid-major who has big wins this season. Could be overrated, however.)

The 4's:

Purdue (What have you done, Coach Versyp? Kristy Curry left you a final four contender and you can't even beat OSU or MSU at home? You're falling fast!)

Vanderbilt (Midseason slump could be erased with a big win over either LSU or Tennessee. Lose both and you are a 5 or 6.)

Bowling Green (Underrated midmajor with loads of talent. Does anyone not realize they are one of only like two teams this season to only lose by single digits to Duke?)

Middle Tennessee (Great team that nearly upset Maryland to start the season and did upset Georgia on the road. No one wants to see them in their bracket.)