Duke and South Carolina expected to advance furthest

In Milwaukee, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is underway at the Fiserv Forum. The top teams competing here are Iowa State and Kentucky, both No. 3 seeds. However, a recent poll focused on the No. 1 seeds playing in other locations. Fans were asked which men’s No. 1 seed—Auburn, Duke, Florida, or Houston—and which women’s No. 1 seed—South Carolina, Texas, UCLA, or USC—will progress the furthest in the tournament. Duke and South Carolina received the most votes. One fan cheekily pointed out the expected success of Duke, while another commented on the potential farewell of freshman Cooper Flagg, a top NBA draft prospect. Regarding South Carolina, fans compared the team to past powerhouse UConn. The polls showed a lack of respect for Auburn, the top overall seed in the men’s tournament. Duke’s young but talented roster has people talking about its potential, although some are cautious about their inexperience. For the women’s tournament, South Carolina stands out with three championships since 2016, while UCLA and USC struggle with past Final Four appearances. Voters were also asked how much they would bet on this year's tournament. Many responded with reluctance, indicating a general hesitation to gamble this postseason.