Reigning national champion Villanova is the top seed in the NCAA Tournament selection committee's preliminary rankings.

The Wildcats (23-2), No. 2 in the AP Top 25, joined Kansas (21-3), Baylor (21-3) and Gonzaga (25-0) as the top seeds released on Saturday.

The selection committee followed the lead of the College Football Playoff by releasing the top 16 seeds early to drum up interest before Selection Sunday on March 12. The rankings are based on games through Friday.

Villanova was slated as the top seed in the East Region and would play in New York. Kansas, No. 3 in the AP poll, was the top seed in the Midwest, Baylor was No. 1 in the South and Gonzaga topped the West.

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