Kentucky (23-1), Kansas (23-1), Syracuse (24-1) and our own Villanova (21-2) are head and shoulders above the field right now in terms of resumes for No. 1 seeds.

Of course there is a lot of season left, with each team still needing to play another 10 games or so and conference tournaments to come, but I would be shocked if at least three of the aforementioned teams do not end up as a No. 1 seed.

Not only do they have better records than the teams chasing them, but they also have fewer questions.

Here is a look at the group of teams chasing the top four and the flaw that will keep them from getting there.

Duke (20-4): Even an ACC Championship doesn’t change the fact that Duke has no inside presence and no depth behind the trio of John Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith. Teams will attack Duke and the Blue Devils will not have the answer.

Purdue (18-3): Purdue is one of the hottest teams in the nation, but nobody gives teams out of the Big 10 respect that aren’t named Michigan State. Their record is also helped by a 12-0 out-of-conference schedule that has more cupcakes than a kids birthday party.

Georgetown (18-5): The Hoyas look great one minute (see their 103-90 win over Nova) and awful the next (see their 72-64 loss to South Florida). The team has the talent and depth to make a run in the tournament, but its inconsistent play will keep it from obtaining a No. 1 seed.

Kansas State (19-4) : Jacob Pullen (18.8 ppg) may be the best player in college basketball that no one talks about. He has a complete game that has helped the Wildcats jump into the top 10 in the AP poll. What will keep Kansas State out of a No. 1 seed is playing in the same conference as Kansas, who it has already lost two. I just don’t see two No. 1 seeds coming out of the Big 12.

West Virginia (19-4): Any real chance of a No. 1 seed likely went out the window after its 82-75 home loss to Villanova. That game showed that WVU is a step behind both Nova and Syracuse and its ranking in the tournament will reflect that.