Selection Sunday is tomorrow, which means the majority of the conference championship games are today. Today includes championships in the America East, MEAC, MAAC, Big 12, Mountain West, Big East, MAC, Big Sky, ACC, Conference USA, Pac-12, Southland, WAC, and the Big West. We’ll also take a look at some of the highly anticipated semifinal games today. Anyways, the first game is at 11 AM, so let’s get started with the picks:
America East Championship: UMBC (18-13) at Vermont (27-5) (-15.5)
Vermont is 38-9 all-time against the Retrievers, with a dominant 18-4 record at Patrick Gymnasium. Vermont has only lost one conference game all year, at Hartford. The only stats UMBC is better than Vermont are the three-point percentage and free-throw percentage, which both teams have similar percentages. Ryan Davis gets the Catamounts to the NCAA Tournament.
Tune into the America East Championship Game at 11 AM ET on ESPN2.
MEAC Championship: Coppin State (9-22) at Norfolk State (23-6) (-7.5)
It would be awful to have a sub .500 team in the NCAA Tournament. Thankfully, Coppin State is 14-33 against Norfolk State and has not done well in the past decade against the Spartans. At one point, they lost 14 straight against them. Norfolk State handles Coppin State.
Tune into the MEAC Championship Game at 1 PM ET on ESPN2.
#5 Kentucky (26-6) (-3) vs. #9 Tennessee (24-7)
In the second game of the SEC semifinal round, we have a top 10 matchup between two of the best teams in the conference. With Auburn out, these two teams have the best shot at hoisting the trophy in Tampa. Kentucky leads the overall series 158-76, with a 12-5 record in the SEC Tournament against the Volunteers. Oscar Tshiebwe is clearly the best center in college basketball, and most certainly can sweep all the National Player of the Year awards. I had Kentucky winning the SEC Tournament, so I’ll take them in a huge top 10 matchup.
Tune into Kentucky vs. Tennessee at 3 PM ET on ESPN.
MAAC Championship: Monmouth (21-12) vs Saint Peter’s (18-11) (-3)
Monmouth may have a better record, but that doesn’t mean I’ll pick them. They’re shooting over 50% from three-point range in the MAAC Tournament, but Saint Peter’s has by far the best defense in the league, ranked 35th nationally. They can defend all shots effectively, which is why I’m picking them to win. However, their offense is questionable, so if they can get good defense going early, they should punch a ticket to March Madness. Saint Peter’s is 30-16 against Monmouth. Can Monmouth go dancing for the first time since 2006? I don’t think so.
Tune into the MAAC Championship at 4 PM ET on ESPNU.
Big 12 Championship: #14 Texas Tech (25-8) vs. #6 Kansas (27-6) (-2.5)
Texas Tech is 7-39 against Kansas, and they have never beaten the Jayhawks in the Big 12 Tournament. That trend will continue today, as players like Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun will lead the way to another automatic bid for the Jayhawks. Texas Tech is ranked #1 for defensive efficiency according to KenPom, but even that won’t be enough to beat Kansas.
Tune into the Big 12 Championship Game at 6 PM ET on ESPN.
Mountain West Championship: San Diego State (23-7) (-2.5) vs. Boise State (26-7)
Both of these teams are NCAA Tournament teams, no doubt about that. San Diego State has a tremendous defense that could set them up for success not only in the Mountain West Championship, but in the NCAA Tournament as well. This will be a hard-fought game, and I honestly could see both teams finding a way to win. San Diego State is more known for three-point shooting, while their shooting from inside the arc is abysmal compared to their Mountain West foes. Boise State has the better overall offense, but I think that will get shut down by the Aztecs.
Tune into the Mountain West Championship Game at 6 PM ET on CBS.
SWAC Championship: Texas Southern (17-12) (-4) vs. Alcorn State (17-15)
I know you’re asking me why I’m picking lots of the favorites when it’s March, but I’m not even looking at who’s favored to win these games when deciding who I’ll pick to win. Texas Southern has a much better defense than Alcorn State, and they lead the overall series 64-57. Welcome back to the Big Dance, Texas Southern.
Tune into the SWAC Championship Game at 6 PM ET on ESPNU.
Big East Championship: Creighton (22-10) vs. #8 Villanova (25-7) (-7)
Villanova being a 7-point favorite isn’t what I thought, because I do think it will be closer than that. Creighton dominated against Providence, leading by as much as at least 30. Villanova hasn’t looked amazing this tournament, but they will have the crowd advantage. If it’s a game of free throws, Villanova will win with ease, as they’re on pace to be the best free throw shooting team of all time. That’s going to be huge in the NCAA Tournament. Much like what they did with UConn’s Adama Sanogo, they’re going to go small and draw Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner out to the elbow and away from the baseline due to Villanova’s ability to shoot outside. That’s how Villanova beat UConn last night, and that’s how I think they’ll beat Creighton tonight, even if the Bluejays looked scary yesterday.
Tune into the Big East Championship Game at 6:30 PM ET on FOX.
MAC Championship: Akron (23-9) vs. Kent State (23-9) (-3)
I was going to pick Kent State, but I needed some upsets, especially during March. Akron is just outside of Cleveland, where the MAC Tournament is being held. Akron’s offense, which is ranked higher than Kent State, helps them punch a ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
Tune into the MAC Championship Game at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2.
Big Sky Championship: Northern Colorado (20-14) vs. Montana State (26-7) (-4.5)
Montana State won the Big Sky Regular Season Championship, but I don’t think they’ll be dancing their way into March Madness. Northern Colorado may have a poor defense, but they have one of the best offenses in the conference, with one of the highest effective field goal percentages in the country (56.8%, 6th in the country). Northern Colorado wins a close one in Boise to go dancing.
Tune into the Big Sky Championship Game at 8 PM ET on ESPNU.
ACC Championship: Virginia Tech (22-12) vs. #7 Duke (28-5) (-6)
Duke has a 2-0 record against Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament, and a 7-1 record in Brooklyn for the ACC Tournament. In Coach K’s last year, I would not be surprised to see Duke win the ACC Championship in both the regular season and tournament.
Tune into the ACC Championship Game at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Conference USA Championship: Louisiana Tech (24-9) vs. UAB (26-7) (-3)
I had UAB heading to the championship game before the tournament began, losing to North Texas. However, North Texas got eliminated already, so it will be interesting come Selection Sunday. UAB has the best offense in the conference, especially with their three point shooting, ranked third in the conference. UAB wins and goes dancing.
Tune into the Conference USA Championship Game at 8:30 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.
Pac-12 Championship: #13 UCLA (25-6) vs. #2 Arizona (30-3) (-1.5)
I love how close the spread is in this championship game. Both teams are some of the best in the country, and I had this exact matchup in my Pac-12 Tournament bracket. Who came out on top in that one? Arizona. UCLA leads the all-time series 63-46, winning six of the last seven meetings. Arizona wins, sweeping both Pac-12 championships.
Tune into the Pac-12 Championship Game at 9 PM ET on FOX.
Southland Championship: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (22-11) vs. Southeastern Louisiana (19-13) (-3)
Southeastern Louisiana’s stats look better, but March is all about which teams can get hot at the right time. That’s what the Islanders are doing right now. They’ve won six of their last seven games. They’re looking for their first NCAA bid since 2007, and I think it will happen.
Tune into the Southland Championship Game at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN2.
WAC Championship: Abilene Christian (23-9) vs. New Mexico State (25-6) (-5.5)
Abilene Christian ended their tenure as apart of the Southland Conference with a conference championship, along with upsetting Texas in the NCAA Tournament. They have a chance to win their first WAC Championship in their first season as WAC members. But, New Mexico State has run their conference better than anyone else. They’re 8-1 against Abilene Christian, and I think that’ll improve to 9-1 and the Aggies go dancing.
Tune into the WAC Championship Game at 10 PM ET on ESPNU.
Big West: Cal State Fullerton (20-10) (-1.5) vs. Long Beach State (20-11)
Long Beach State’s defense ranks #1 in the Big West and they don’t force turnovers on offense compared to the rest of the league. Cal State Fullerton is favored, which I’m surprised by. Long Beach State goes dancing.
Tune into the Big West Championship at 11:30 PM ET on ESPN2.
Calhoun's Corner 