Conference Tournament Guide: Power 6 Dominates Championship Week
Introduction:
College basketball postseason is in full swing as conference tournaments take center stage. The Power 6 conferences – ACC, Big East, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC, and Pac-12 – along with other leagues like the Mountain West, American Athletic, and Atlantic 10, are gearing up for high-stakes action to secure spots in the NCAA Tournament. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key tournaments and storylines to watch.
American Athletic:
The American Athletic Conference tournament kicks off in Fort Worth, Texas, with top seed South Florida looking to secure its spot in the NCAA Tournament. While Florida Atlantic is already a lock, Memphis could be a dangerous team to watch as they aim to clinch a bid. The bracket will be finalized and announced on Sunday night.
Atlantic 10:
The Atlantic 10 tournament begins in Brooklyn, New York, with top seed Richmond leading the pack. Dayton, the league’s best team and a surefire NCAA Tournament squad, will be closely watched. A win by someone other than Dayton could help the conference secure a second bid.
ACC:
The ACC tournament starts in Washington D.C., with top seed North Carolina looking strong. With teams like Duke and Clemson already securing their spots in the NCAA Tournament, the focus will be on bubble teams like Virginia, Wake Forest, and potentially Pitt.
Big 12:
The Big 12 tournament takes place in Kansas City, with top seed Houston leading the way. While Houston is guaranteed a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, there will be competition among teams like Baylor, Iowa State, and Kansas for the remaining No. 2 seeds.
Big East:
The Big East tournament begins in New York City, with top seed UConn leading the charge. This conference presents intriguing bubble scenarios, with teams like Villanova, St. John’s, Providence, and Seton Hall vying for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The health of Marquette’s All-America point guard Tyler Kolek will also be a major storyline.
Big Ten:
The Big Ten tournament starts in Minneapolis, with top seed Purdue already locked in as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Bubble teams like Iowa and Michigan State will be closely watched, as their performances could impact their chances of making the tournament.
Big West:
The Big West tournament takes place in Henderson, Nevada, with top seed UC Irvine looking to secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament. UC San Diego, finishing second, is not eligible for the tournament due to their transition to Division I. UC Davis is the No. 2 seed.
Conference USA:
The Conference USA tournament begins in Huntsville, Alabama, with top seed Sam Houston State aiming to secure their first NCAA Tournament appearance since moving over from the WAC. The regular-season crown was tightly contested between Sam Houston State and Louisiana Tech.
Ivy League:
The Ivy League tournament takes place in New York City, featuring only four teams. Top seed Princeton, coming off last year’s Sweet 16 run, will be looking to secure another strong showing. A win in the title game could potentially put them in contention for an unlikely Ivy at-large bid.
Conclusion:
As conference tournaments ramp up, fans can expect intense battles for spots in the NCAA Tournament. The Power 6 conferences dominate the headlines, but smaller leagues also have their own storylines to watch. From bubble teams fighting for a bid to underdogs looking to make a Cinderella run, championship week promises excitement and unpredictability on the road to March Madness.