March is just about here, and that means we have conference tournaments to play! I apologize for being away from the blog too much. I prioritize my education over everything, even sports. For me to have a future career as a sports analyst/announcer/writer, I have to get the grades to prove it. I do want to write, but I know I can’t let the blog be more important to me than school. In the order of the start of the tournaments, here are the dates, bracket picks, and analyses.
Horizon League: Indianapolis, IN; February 25, March 2, 8-9 (Bracket)
The Horizon League has a history of bracket-busting teams. The most recognizable team was Butler, now in the Big East. Northern Kentucky has been the most dominant team in recent years, winning the tournament in the past two years and 2017.
UPDATE: This has been such a crazy tournament. So many close games.
First round & Quarterfinals on ESPN+, Semifinals on ESPN2/ESPNU, Championship on ESPN/ESPN2.
America East: Campus sites; February 27-28, March 6, 13 (Bracket)
The number one seed is scary for the NCAA Tournament. Why? Because it’s UMBC. Unless you have been in a coma or have amnesia, you remember the Retrievers making history by being the first 16 seed to upset a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, defeating number one overall seed Virginia. The team with the most success in the America East is Vermont, leading the conference with seven championships. However, the Catamounts lost star player Anthony Lamb due to graduation and will have to continue winning without him.
Pod Play on ESPN+, Semifinals on ESPN3/ESPN+, Championship on ESPN2.
Big South Champion: Winthrop (23-1 overall, 20-1 BSth)
Winthrop goes back-to-back in the Big South Tournament. None of their games were particularly close and the Eagles cruised past Campbell to clinch the tournament bid.
Atlantic 10: Richmond, VA and Dayton, Ohio; March 3-6, 14 (Bracket)
Last year, Dayton, the favorite to win the Atlantic 10, was a projected 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament with Wooden Award winner Obi Toppin leading the way. Richmond was the preseason favorite to win the conference, but St. Bonaventure won the regular season championship. Some of the players to watch in this tournament are Jordan Goodwin (Saint Louis) and Jalen Crutcher (Dayton).
First round on ESPN+, Second round and Quarterfinals on NBC Sports Network, Semifinals on CBS Sports Network, Championship on CBS Sports.
Patriot League: Campus sites; March 3, 6, 10, 14 (Bracket)
Boston University was robbed of an NCAA Tournament appearance last year, winning the conference tournament. They would’ve made the Big Dance for the first time since joining the Patriot League (they won the America East in 2011). Navy is the favorite to win the conference, but Colgate has an extremely high NET ranking. The two players to watch are Jordan Burns (Colgate) and Cam Davis (Navy).
Ohio Valley Champion: Morehead State (23-7 overall, 20-3 OVC)
Morehead State clinched their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011, where the Eagles upset Louisville in the round of 64. The Ohio Valley Champions bring a tough defense into the tournament. Johni Broome was named the tournament MVP.
West Coast: Las Vegas, Nevada; March 4-6, 8-9 (Bracket)
Gonzaga will probably run through the entire bracket, as they are the clear number 1 team in the nation, but there have been years where it’s been different. Corey Kispert and Mark Few picked up the highest honors in the conference, and they are a lock for the number 1 overall seed.
First and second rounds on Stadium, Quarterfinals on ESPN2/ESPNU, Semifinals on ESPN/ESPNU, Championship on ESPN.
ASUN Champion: Liberty (22-5 overall, 13-2 ASUN)
Liberty advanced to the ASUN Championship Game and earns the automatic bid after North Alabama, ineligible for the NCAA Tournament, won their semifinal game.
Missouri Valley Champion: Loyola Chicago (24-4 overall, 19-2 MVC)
Loyola Chicago pulled away and won the the Missouri Valley Tournament over Drake. Cameron Krutwig will be one of the mid-major players to watch out for in this year’s tournament.
SoCon Champion: UNC Greensboro (21-8 overall, 16-5 SoCon)
UNC Greensboro was another team that pulled away and won by multiple possessions. Mercer kept themselves in this game, but the Spartans are headed back to the Big Dance. Isaiah Miller is a fun player to watch, and I’m excited to see him play in March Madness.
Sun Belt Champion: Appalachian State (17-11 overall, 11-8 Sun Belt)
Appalachian State upset Texas State, Coastal Carolina, and Georgia State to win the Sun Belt’s automatic bid. Appalachian State is projected to be a 16 seed, so fingers crossed it’s against Michigan. Michael Almonacy was the game MVP with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 threes.
Summit: Sioux Falls, South Dakota; March 6-9 (Bracket)
All of the North and South Dakota teams are at the top of the Summit League. The Jackrabbits are the top team, but it’s a wide open tourney when all the teams are strong for their conference.
Quartefinals and Semifinals on ESPN+, Championship on ESPN2.
Colonial: Washington, D.C.; March 6-9 (Bracket)
James Madison as the number 1 seed came to a surprise to me and many other people. Before the season (which was before this blog existed), I picked Hofstra to win the conference. Hofstra finished in 4th in the regular season standings. However, Jalen Ray and the Pride could make a deep run in the tournament, facing Delaware in the quarterfinals.
First round and Quarterfinals on FloHoops, Semifinals and Championship on CBS Sports Network.
Northeast: Campus sites; March 6, 9 (Bracket)
Due to COVID-19 complications, only the top 4 teams will have a chance at an auto-bid. And spoiler alert, my favorite team for the NEC is Bryant. Bryant has Chris Childs, who averages 14 points per game. He transferred from the University of Saint Josesph’s, a Division 3 school located in West Hartford, Connecticut, where he was coached by legendary head coach Jim Calhoun.
Semifinals on ESPN3, Championship on ESPN2/ESPN3.
ACC: Greensboro, North Carolina; March 9-13 (Bracket)
The ACC is having one of their worst seasons in recent years and they still will have a bunch of teams in the NCAA Tournament. For the first round games, I’m interested to see how Justin Champagnie and Pittsburgh does after losing six of the last seven down the stretch. It was Florida State’s regular season championship to lose and they did exactly that. The most surprising team that is in the upper half of the ACC is Georgia Tech. Moses Wright won ACC Player of the Year, but I want to see if he lives up to the award. By the way, Xfinity, please carry the ACC Network.
First and second round games on ACC Network, Quarterfinals and semifinals on ESPN/ESPN2, Championship on ESPN.
Big West: Las Vegas, Nevada; March 9, 11-13 (Bracket)
The Big West has had some upsets and bracket busters in recent tournament years. For example, as a 13 seed, Hawaii beat #4 seed California in 2016. However, the Rainbow Warriors are not the favorite to win the Big West. It’s clear that UC Santa Barbara is the favorite, but I can see UC Riverside dancing as well.
First and quarterfinals on ESPN3, Semifinals on ESPNU/ESPN3, Championship on ESPN2.
Conference USA: Frisco, Texas; March 9-13 (Bracket)
Last season, North Texas was ready to go into the Conference USA Tournament as the favorites. This year, Western Kentucky, with star big Charles Bassey, is the favorable pick to win it. Although I think they will, there will be some bracket busting teams in this tournament. North Texas is my sleeper pick to win the automatic bid.
Preliminary round and quarterfinal games on ESPN+, Semifinals on Stadium, Championship on CBS Sports Network.
Southland: Katy, Texas; March 9-13 (Bracket)
The Southland Conference has seen better years. Abilene Christian has, but they’re looking good for the tournament. They’ve won 10 of the last 11 games and has only lost to Texas Tech, Arkansas, Sam Houston State, and Central Arkansas. Nicholls State is the regular season champion, but I think this is Abilene Christian’s year, especially with Kolton Kohl and Joe Pleasant.
First, second rounds and semifinals on ESPN+, Championship on ESPN2.
Big 12: Kansas City, Missouri; March 10-13 (Bracket)
Baylor has dominated the Big 12 this season, with only one loss to Kansas in Lawrence. Jared Butler will be playing with a chip on his shoulder as I think he should have won Big 12 Player of the Year. Instead, Cade Cunningham won the award and I hope the two guards meet up in the semifinal round. Kansas has upset written all over them, as they’re not a great offensive team. My dark horse team to win the conference is Texas Tech, ranked 6th in the Big 12.
First round on ESPN, Quarterfinals and semifinals on ESPN/ESPN2, Championship on ESPN.
Big East: New York City; March 10-13 (Bracket)
The Big East Tournament will always be my favorite tournament. It’s always the most exciting to watch. Although it’s unfortunate that Madison Square Garden cannot be filled up with 20 thousand fans or so, this year’s tournament is wide open. John Fanta, a play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports, said that UConn is the most dangerous team in this tournament. I agree, but Creighton is right up there with the Huskies. Coach Greg McDermott got reinstated after the “plantation analogy” resulted in a one-game suspension for McDermott. If there aren’t any locker room issues, Creighton could run through this bracket and become Big East Champions. With two starters out for Villanova, they are relying on Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Jermaine Samuels, and their bench that lacks depth now that Collin Gillespie and Justin Moore are out. Like David Benedict, UConn’s Athletic Director said, anyone can win this tournament. Well, maybe not DePaul but in March, anything can happen.
First round, quarterfinals, semifinals on Fox Sports 1, Championship on FOX.
This will be updated as the conference tournament brackets are set.
Calhoun's Corner 