With less than a month until the selection of 68 teams for the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, it is important to look at the grey areas of statistics as it’s not necessarily about the black and white statistics to prove a team’s success. The teams given No. 1 seeds can easily be beaten if even the most minuscule variable changes and it’s the grey areas are what bring about upsets, wins, losses, and eventually the National Championship Title.

Let’s take a look at the grey areas to explain why teams are top-ranked – and what can bring them down.

1. Syracuse

Earlier this season, freshman center Fab Melo was suspended for three games as a result of not meeting NCAA’s academic standards. The first game without Melo was Syracuse’s first and only loss of the season. Boeheim and the Orange successfully altered the lineup, winning the next two games against Cincinnati and West Virginia.

2. Duke

Austin Rivers. There are few words to describe the 6-time ACC Rookie of the Week. His seemingly unnatural offensive abilities have shut down some of the most competitive teams in the nation. However, Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski saw that confidence was negatively affecting his style of play. After drawing fouls and missing usually made shots, Coach K decided to not put him in the starting lineup against Wake Forest, the freshman’s first time being benched since elementary school. The move was to mature and humble Rivers, and it worked. As a reserve, he performed his best scoring outing in three weeks with 20 points in his 32 minutes of playing time. Averaging 15 points per game, it’s essential Rivers play with control and makes his infamous three-pointers.

3. Missouri

Similar to Rivers, the Tigers have succumbed to the arrogance built from their success. Starting the season 14-0, Mizzou defeated some of the nation’s top-ranked teams. After getting revenge against Oklahoma State at home, it was surprising that Mizzou played with such lackluster against Kansas State. As if expecting to win, the Tigers were unmotivated and defeated by the Wildcats 78-68.

4. Michigan State

Coming into the season unranked and low expectations, the Spartans have officially silenced critics. Tom Izzo is known for playing one of the strongest schedules in the nation and this season has shown the Spartans are the team to beat. The combination of Izzo’s coaching and potential Player of the Year Draymond Green has proven the team’s drive to win and refuses to fall out of the Top 25.

5. Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish were originally handed every obstacle to stop them from fighting. Notre Dame’s senior star player Tim Abromaitis was out early with an ankle injury, which caused a rocky start for the Irish as they went 8-5. Notre Dame is now on a 9-game winning streak, proving to the critics that they are here to stay.