If you read last week’s blog you are well aware by now how much I truly love the prelude to March Madness. With that, I figured I’d share my love and offer some insight into when you should be turning your televisions (or computers/phones) onto ESPN+, Big 10+, (or maybe even Mountcock+) as we approach Selection Sunday.
Since we are a brand that loves giving out some spicy futures I’ll throw some of my favorites in as we go along too.
With major conference championships underway, it’s time to move off the mid-major cinderellas and into the teams with a decent shot at winning it all in April. We are getting close to Selection Sunday!
- Big 12
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USATS When/Where: March 16 at 6:00 PM EST ESPN
The Contenders: Houston (1 seed), Iowa State (2 seed), Baylor (3 seed), Texas Tech (4 seed), BYU (5 seed), Kansas (6 seed), Texas (7 seed)
While the Big 12 has been the best conference in college basketball, Houston is a clear top dog among the bountiful amount of good programs.
I’ve been higher than Snoop Dogg on a rumspringa in the Netherlands on Baylor this season, but the other guys on the staff haven’t agreed. I’m going with the Bears to go crazy in Kansas City, but don’t be surprised if Houston rolls.
Conference Tournament Winner: Baylor (+750)
- Mountain West
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Getty Images When/Where: March 16, 6 PM EST, CBS
Contenders: Utah State (1 seed), Nevada (2 seed), Boise State (3 seed), UNLV (4 seed), San Diego State (5 seed), New Mexico (6 seed), Colorado State (7 seed)
You’ll probably have more luck walking into a casino and playing craps for an hour than you will attempting to pick a team to win the Mountain West Tournament.
Nevada is probably playing the best basketball right now but the Wolfpack rely too heavily on the sharpshooting of graduate guard Jarod Lucas. San Diego State is always a safe bet to run the table, especially considering the Aztecs return many starters from last season’s Final Four team.
Don’t sleep on the UNLV Rebels either considering they certainly need a Mountain West Title to go dancing. Watch this tournament joy. Picking a team to win it could ruin the fun.
Conference Tournament Winner: Colorado State because I want to see Isiah Stevens go full “Kemba Walker” (+850)
- Big East
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Jessica Hill/AP When/Where: March 16, 6:30 PM EST FOX
Contenders: UCONN (1 seed), Creighton (2 seed), Marquette (3 seed), Seton Hall (4 seed), St. John’s (5 seed), Villanova (6 seed), Butler (8 seed)
Our guy Matt is convinced his Villanova Wildcats are going to run the table in the Madison Square Garden and cement themselves as an NCAA Tournament team. I’m not so convinced.
UCONN, Marquette and Creighton have distanced themselves in the Big East all season. While Marquette star Tyler Kolek is banged up, I still believe one of those three teams is going to take the crown.
If I had to pick a sleeper I’d go with Rick Pitino’s St. John’s Red Storm who haven’t lost since Pitino called them slow and lazy.
Tournament Winner: UCONN (-135)
- ACC
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USATS When/Where: March 16, 8:30 PM, ESPN
Contenders: UNC (1 seed), Duke (2 seed), Clemson (6 seed)
If not for the PAC 12, the ACC would be the worst power conference in college basketball this season. Duke and North Carolina are both their normal dominant selves but the conference is a shit show beyond that.
Virginia’s offense is both ugly and horrible this season, Clemson has been inconsistent at best, and Syracuse has nothing beyond its backcourt of Judah Mintz and JJ Starling. Wake Forest has some talent with Andrew Carr and Cam Meredith, but the Demon Deacons aren’t going anywhere because of a horrendous defense.
I fully expect Duke vs. UNC part 3, with Duke getting the win just because the all-time series needs to even out at some point.
Conference Winner: Duke (+180)
- PAC 12
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USATS When/Where: March 16, 9 PM EST FOX
Contenders: Arizona (1 seed), Washington State (2 seed), Colorado (3 seed), Oregon (4 seed), UCLA (5 seed), Utah (6 seed), USC (9 seed)
You can check out my thoughts on the PAC 12 Tournament in the prediction TikTok I made below.
Conference Tournament Winner: (+480)
Check right back here tomorrow for the final four major conference tournament guides. We are almost at the end ladies and gentlmen!
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