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.
Anyway, here is part three of every important date/game you should tune into over the next week and a half of the college basketball season.
- Summit League Championship
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USATS When/Where: March 12 at 8:30 PM EST CBS Sports Network
The Contenders: South Dakota State (1 seed), St. Thomas (2 seed), Omaha (6 seed), Denver (7 seed)
As much as it’d be cool to see the 6-seed Omaha or 7-seed Denver win this tournament, the champion is all-but certainly coming from the first semi-final game between South Dakota State and St. Thomas.
St. Thomas has the cooler story, as the Tommies made the jump from Division III just three years ago. Unfortunately, the NCAA doesn’t know what fun is as the former “too-dominant” DIII school isn’t eligible for March Madness until the 2026-2027 season.
That means SDSU is a game away from the tournament no matter the result of its semi-final. (The Jackrabbits would get the bid as regular season champions if the Tommies win the tournament)
South Dakota State has a star in Zeke Mayo (19.1 ppg) and two other starters shooting over 40% from three. 6-foot-9 forward William Kyle has just enough size and ability up front as well. Don’t sleep on the Jackrabbits to give a 3-seed trouble in the NCAA Tournament as long as they secure the bid.
Conference Tournament Winner: SDSU (+125)
*disclaimer, betting on South Dakota State to win the conference tournament does not cash if they St. Thomas wins but SDSU still receives the auto bid. St.Thomas is currently +135
- Southland Championship
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McNeese State Athletics When/Where: March 13, 4 PM EST ESPN 2
Contenders: McNeese State (1 seed), Texas A&M CC (2 seed), Nicholls (3 seed), Lamar (4 seed)
I am not exaggerating when I say the Southland tournament is far and away the most important mid-major conference tournament this week (honorable mention to the MVC).
McNeese State has been a wagon all year led by former LSU head coach Will Wade. With a backcourt accounting for nearly 40 points per game and a 43% combined 3-point percentage, the Cowboys have the makings of a classic 12-seed.
If they slip up, the winner of this conference is all-but-certain to be a 15-seed (Texas A&M CC) or 16-seed (anyone else) forced to play a powerhouse in the first round.
The fate of the Southland’s dollar bills, and our entertainment on March Madness day one, is in the hands of Will Wade’s Cowboys.
Conference Tournament Winner: McNeese (-330) *stay away
- Big Sky Championship
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USATS When/Where: March 13, 11:30 PM EST, ESPN 2
Contenders: Weber State (4 seed), Montana (3 seed), Sacramento State (10 seed), Portland State (6 seed), Idaho State (8 seed)
We’re only into the quarterfinals of the Big Sky and the conference has seen its best two teams go down. Eastern Washington fluffed an ideal chance for a 14-seed again, and now the winner of the Big Sky is most likely going to end up on the 15-line.
Weber State is just about the only team that could pull something off in March Madness because of star forward Dillon Jones (21 ppg, 10 rpg), but don’t expect anyone from this conference to make much noise.
Considering the games will be played late at night, you should be safe mostly writing this one off.
Conference Tournament Winner: Weber State (no line)
- Patriot League Championship
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Colgate Athletics When/Where: March 13, 7 PM EST CBS Sports Network
Contenders: Colgate (1 seed), Lehigh (6 seed)
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Colgate are about to represent the Patriot League in March Madness again. Head coach Matt Langel’s Raiders have represented the conference in each of the last four NCAA Tournaments (the Max Mahoney-led Boston Terriers did win in the tournament COVID-cancelled 2020 year), and Colgate should have no issues going back to the dance for a fifth-straight time.
If Lehigh can pull off a stunner in the championship game, they’ll be on a fast track to the First Four in Dayton. Colgate would probably end up facing off against the worst 1-seed, although it could move up to the 15 line if upsets happen in other tournaments like the three we went over above.
Tournament Winner: Colgate (-475) *consider Lehigh with the points on the spread
- American East
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UVM Athletics When/Where: March 16, TBA, ESPN or ESPN 2
Contenders: Vermont (1 seed), UMass Lowell (2 seed), Bryant (3 seed), New Hampshire (4 seed)
This tournament is Vermont’s to lose. UMass Lowell could end up usurping the Catamounts, but don’t expect any of these squads to make noise in the tournament.
Conference Winner: Vermont (no line)
See you right back here tomorrow for the final few mid-major tournaments! Our guides to the Big 10, Big 12, Big East, SEC, and other major conferences start on Wednesday!
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