Tournament FAQs: midseason troubleshooting that will guide you through selection Sunday in March.(NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament )

The first bracket-related question comes in November, right after Big Time State has won its opener, causing Big Time State fan to e-mail: "So, Bracket Answer Man, does this put us in the tournament?" (Answer: Of course. Now go eat some turkey.)

A few more trickle in during December and January, but once February hits, look out. That's when every fan, friend, family member, radio talk-show host and even some selection committee honchos will have something to ask. Does the SEC deserve seven teams? (No.) Does Saint Joe's deserve a No. 1 seed? (Yes.) Does the committee secretly favor Duke? (Of course.) Heading off some of the most frequently asked questions this time of year might help ease the deluge on Bracket Answer Man. (Yeah, right.)

FAQs

What teams have the best chance of securing a No. 1 seed?

BAM: Seventeen of the last 40 teams to make the Final Four were No. 1 seeds. A top seed still is the best accessory to bring to the Big Dance, and these teams have the best chance of getting one:

1. Stanford. Josh Childress still is rounding into form, so this team hasn't peaked. That is scary considering it already has beaten Kansas, Gonzaga and Arizona.

2. Saint Joseph's. The Hawks haven't lost--and they likely won't play a ranked team the rest of the regular season. Will being part of the Atlantic 10 hurt Saint Joseph's?