Author: Carter Huff

Image Courtesy: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Arkansas officially announced John Calipari as its new head basketball coach on Tuesday. After Eric Musselman left Fayetteville for USC, the Razorbacks’ first basketball coaching search in five years took longer than expected after Ole Miss’ Chris Beard said no to Razorback athletic director Hunter Yurachek. Many people close the program expected Musselman, a San Diego native, to leave if a job opened up in California at some point during his tenure, they just did not know when. Musselman led the Razorbacks to three second weekend appearances in the NCAA Tournament which included back to back Elite 8 appearances in 2021 and 2022 before a Sweet 16 appearance in 2023 during. Three straight second weekend appearances in the NCAA Tournament made Razorback fans very happy and when Musselman took the USC job last week, Razorback fans were disappointed. 2021 was the first year the Razorbacks were back in the second weekend since Nolan Richardson took them to the Sweet 16 in 1996.

Kansas State’s Jerome Tang, Mississippi State’s Chris Jans, and Little Rock’s (and Razorback basketball legend) Darrell Walker were involved in the search. Razorback fans all around the state were so mad. They said things like “Yurachek can’t close a deal and he needs to be fired” and “Our NIL stinks”, but then the AD delivered. Sunday night, FOX16’s Wess Moore was the first to announce that Arkansas had “zeroed in” on polarizing figure in college basketball, John Calipari. Calipari’s success dates back many years, first with UMass, then with Memphis, and most recently in the last fifteen seasons at Kentucky. Calipari led the minutemen to a Final Four in 1996, the tigers to one in 2008 before taking Kentucky four times in 2011, 2012 (won his only national championship), 2014, and 2015. After his last Final Four appearance with the wildcats, his team only appeared in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament twice, when they made the Elite 8 in both 2017 and 2019. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the “One and Done” era that Calipari first created when he arrived in Lexington has not worked with the transfer portal and NIL making college basketball rosters better overall throughout the country. During that time, Kentucky has only made it to the Round of 32 once, in 2023, when they lost to Kansas State and lost opening round games to fifteen seed Saint Peter’s (2022) and Oakland (2024).

Now that his hiring is finally official, will the new opportunity in Fayetteville allow Coach Calipari to reinvent himself with the big NIL package he is getting from his old friend John Tyson? Will he begin to make transfers in his program like Oscar Tshiebwe and Antonio Reeves become more of a mainstay in his program, this time at a different program in the SEC at Arkansas? We will sure find out the answer to all of these questions as he fills out his roster this off-season and when basketball gets going again in November.

Image Courtesy: Chattanooga Times Free Press

April 6
1.Purdue (33-4) vs. 11.North Carolina State (26-14)
State Farm Stadium (Glendale)
6:09 PM ET, TBS
After becoming the second one seed upset to be upset by a sixteen seed (Fairleigh Dickinson), Purdue is now on the road repeat the run Virginia made in 2019 after suffering the first loss to a sixteen seed in the 2018 Round of 64 to 16.UMBC. Two more wins are required for the Boilermakers to match what the Cavaliers did just five short years ago. The Boilermakers were able to rely on their reigning national player of the year, Zach Edey (40 points, 16 rebounds, and 1 block) to defeat 2.Tennessee in the Midwest Regional final in Detroit. Purdue guards Fletcher Loyer (14 points and 4 assists), Braden Smith (9 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds) and Lance Jones (7 points and 4 rebounds) helped their head coach Matt Painter appear in his first Final Four in his career. Their opponent will be NC State, the eleven seed that has won nine elimination games since finishing the regular season at a mediocre 17-14 record. The Wolfpack will appear in their first Final Four since 1983, when they ended up cutting down the nets with the late, great Jim Valvano as head coach. The Wolfpack won the ACC tournament in Washington DC after beating Louisville in the first round, Syracuse in the second round, Duke in the quarterfinals, Virginia in the semifinals, and North Carolina in the finals to lock up the automatic bid out of the ACC into the NCAA Tournament, a bid they would not have received without winning five consecutive games. NC State head coach Kevin Keatts was on the hot seat before his team’s run but because of winning the ACC tournament title, he received a two year extension. Following this high for Keatts’ and his team, the Wolfpack then defeated six seed Texas Tech to open the NCAA Tournament before advancing to the Sweet 16 by defeating tournament Cinderella 14.Oakland who had just upset Kentucky. NC State’s defense helped them upset 2.Marquette in the South Regional Semifinals. The win over the Golden Eagles helped set up a rubber match with instate rival, 4.Duke, in the Elite Eight. Wolfpack star DJ Burns continued his terrific run in the NCAA Tournament, dropping 29 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the win over the Blue Devils. Burns gets some help from Wolfpack guard DJ Horne, who scored 20 points in their second win over the Blue Devils this season. The match up between Zach Edey and DJ Burns will be must see TV in the first Final Four match up of 2024 in Glendale. Tennessee allowed Zach Edey to play one on one and that did not work. Will Kevin Keatts’ team use a different strategy? Will they throw forward Mohamed Diarra in addition to Burns at Edey or help with guards like Horne, Michael O’Connell, and Casey Morsell? How NC State defends Edey will determine this game. If they cannot limit him, the Boilermakers will definitely come out victorious. The Wolfpack cannot have any offensive lapses if Edey gets going offensively. I think Purdue wins but NC State will keep it close. Projected Score: Purdue 84, NC State 76

1.Connecticut (35-3) vs. 4.Alabama (25-11)
State Farm Stadium (Glendale)
8:49 PM ET, TBS
Alabama was not expected to get to Glendale. Nate Oats’ lost all three of his assistants to head coaching jobs following last season, which included being the top overall seed in the NCAA tournament and a Sweet 16 appearance, the farthest he had led the Crimson Tide up to that point. Oats retooled his team with returnees, including All-SEC First Team point guard Mark Sears (23 points against 6.Clemson in the Elite Eight) and Nick Pringle (16 points), transfers like Grant Nelson (24 points, 12 points, and 5 blocks in Sweet 16 win over 1.North Carolina) and Aaron Estrada (10 points against Clemson), and freshmen Rylan Griffen (19 points against North Carolina) and Jarin Stevenson (19 points against Clemson) among others. Not much was expected from Alabama during the 2023-2024 season but they were in position to win the SEC regular season title in early March before falling to the eventual champions, Tennessee who joined the Crimson Tide as SEC teams in the Elite Eight. The Crimson Tide avoided upsets against 13.Charleston in the Round of 64 and 12.James Madison in the Round of 32 before upsetting 1.North Carolina in the first West Regional Semifinal. Then, Alabama avenged a loss to Clemson they took in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge back in the first half of the season. The Crimson Tide started out 1/13 shooting the three before exploding like they did against North Carolina in the previous round, finishing 16-36 from range. 1.Connecticut has been one of the three best teams in the country all season long as they look to become the first back to back national champions since Florida in 2006 and 2007. The Huskies have only lost two games since December 20 (Seton Hall in their Big East opener on 12/20 and Creighton three months later on 2/20 on the road in Omaha). Point guard Tristen Newton (17 points and 4 assists against 5.San Diego State in the Sweet 16), wing Cam Spencer (18 points), and guard Stephon Castle (16 points), wing Alex Karaban (8 points and 7 rebounds), and big man Donovan Clingan (22 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks against 3.Illinois in the Elite Eight) make up a balanced roster in Storrs. They have been the most dominant team in this tournament for the second consecutive postseason, leading against all four opponents they have faced in the NCAA Tournament so far by at least thirty points. The Huskies dominated every opponent they have faced in the tournament including 16.Stetson (Round of 64), 9.Northwestern (Round of 32), 5.San Diego State (Sweet 16, National Championship rematch), and 3.Illinois (Elite Eight). The Huskies went on a 30-0 run against the Fighting Illini, who have one of the best offenses in the country. The respect I have for head coach Dan Hurley to put together a defense that can stop an offensive like Illinois to sustain a 30-0 run is as impressive as anything this UConn team has done during their impressive two year run. The Huskies have won every tournament game they have played in the last two years by double digits. That will not change on Saturday night. Alabama’s defense has been better in the tournament but this UConn team is a buzzsaw. The Huskies will move a step closer to back to back national championships. Projected Score: Connecticut 85, Alabama 71

Image Courtesy: North Carolina Tar Heel Athletics

Round of 64

Charlotte (March 21)
1.North Carolina 27-7 (17-3) ACC
16.Howard 18-16 (9-5) MEAC/16.Wagner 16-15 (7-9) NEC
Tar Heels will roll into the Round of 32. They bounce back after losing in the ACC tournament title.

8.Mississippi State 21-13 (8-10) SEC
9.Michigan State 19-14 (10-10) Big Ten
In one of the toughest Round of 64 match ups to pick, NCAA tournament mainstay Michigan State should not have been a nine seed. The Spartans have fourteen losses compared to only nineteen wins and their offense is so up and down. Mississippi State wins a close one in Charlotte.

Spokane (March 22)
5.Saint Mary’s 26-7 (15-1) WCC
12.Grand Canyon 29-4 (17-3) WAC
Grand Canyon speeds this game up and they upset the Gaels, an overseeded team in Spokane.

4.Alabama 21-11 (13-5) SEC
13.College of Charleston 27-7 (15-3) CAA
Charleston gets the best of a struggling Alabama team that was once in the two seed conversation.

Memphis (March 22)
6.Clemson 21-11 (11-9) ACC
11.New Mexico 26-9 (10-8) Mountain West
In what should be another phenomenal game, PJ Hall leads Clemson to the Round of 32.

3.Baylor 23-10 (11-7) Big 12 
14.Colgate 25-9 (16-2) Patriot League
Baylor’s great offense helps them avoid the upset against Colgate.

Salt Lake City (March 21)
7.Dayton 24-7 (14-4) Atlantic-10
10.Nevada 26-7 (13-5) Mountain West
Another underseeded Mountain West team gets the best of their opponent in the Round of 64. Give me Nevada to advance.

2.Arizona 25-8 (15-5) Pac-12
15.Long Beach State 21-14 (10-10) Big West
Arizona wins easily against Long Beach State.

Round of 32

Charlotte (March 23)
1.North Carolina
8.Mississippi State
It is close for a half, but Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram lead the Tar Heels past Mississippi State to theSweet 16.

Spokane (March 24)
12.Grand Canyon
13.College of Charleston
Grand Canyon advances to the Sweet 16 with a win over Charleston.

Memphis (March 24)
3.Baylor
6.Clemson
Clemson upsets Baylor with a dominant defensive performance.

Salt Lake City (March 23)
2.Arizona
10.Nevada
Arizona moves closer to the Final Four with a win over Nevada.

Sweet 16

Los Angeles (March 28)
1.North Carolina
12.Grand Canyon
North Carolina is one step closer to avenging their loss in the title game in 2022. They beat Grand Canyon.

2.Arizona
6.Clemson
Clemson’s run is finally over. The Wildcats set up a match up between Caleb Love and his former team.

Elite 8

Los Angeles (March 30)
1.North Carolina
2.Arizona
In the Caleb Love game, Love plays well but the Tar Heels send him and Arizona home with a legendary performance from his former teammate, RJ Davis.

2024 West Regional Champion: 1.North Carolina

Image Courtesy: Journal & Courier

Round of 64

Indianapolis (March 22)
1.Purdue 29-4 (17-3) Big Ten
16.Grambling State 18-14 (14-4) SWAC/16.Montana State 17-17 (9-9) Big Sky
Purdue will not lose in the Round of 64 after last year’s debacle. No one is beating Zach Edey in Round 1 again.

8.Utah State 27-6 (14-4) Mountain West
9.TCU 21-12 (9-9) Big 12
The Mountain West was vastly underseeded in this bracket including Utah State. It should be a back and forth game but I believe the Aggies will advance.

Salt Lake City (March 21)
5.Gonzaga 25-7 (14-2) West Coast
12.McNeese State 30-3 (17-1) Southland
Will Wade led LSU to the NCAA Tournament multiple times. Now, he has McNeese in the tournament. Gonzaga has made eight consecutive Sweet 16s but are overseeded at a five. The Cowboys prevent the Bulldogs from going on another run.

4.Kansas 22-10 (10-8) Big 12
13.Samford 29-5 (15-3) Southern
Kansas only made the Round of 32 in 2023 and this season they rely on just four players with limited depth. They are without star wing Kevin McCullar and star center Hunter Dickinson. Samford wins after forcing many turnovers.

Pittsburgh (March 21)
6.South Carolina 26-7 (13-5) SEC 
11.Oregon 23-11 (12-8) Pac-12
Oregon is red hot following winning the final Pac-12 tournament. N’Faly Dante has been great since returning from injury. But, I believe South Carolina was underseeded as a six. They should’ve been a five and as such, the Gamecocks will advance to the Round of 32.

3.Creighton 23-9 (14-6) Big East
14.Akron 24-10 (13-5) MAC
Creighton was a shot away from the Final Four in 2023. The Blue Jays outshoot Akron to advance.

Charlotte (March 21)
7.Texas 20-12 (9-9) Big 12
10.Colorado State 24-10 (10-8) Mountain West/10.Virginia 23-10 (13-7) ACC
Colorado State will beat Virginia in the First Four. Then, they will upset the Longhorns.

2.Tennessee 24-8 (14-4) SEC
15.Saint Peter’s 19-13 (12-8) MAAC
Led by Dalton Knecht, Tennessee will advance past 2022 Cinderella Saint Peter’s.

Round of 32

Indianapolis (March 24)
1.Purdue
8.Utah State
Utah State will beat Purdue and prevent the Boilermakers of making their first second weekend in the NCAA Tournament since 2019.

Salt Lake City (March 23)
12.McNeese State
13.Samford
Will Wade’s Cowboys run will continue after beating Samford.

Pittsburgh (March 23)
3.Creighton
6.South Carolina
Creighton’s up tempo offense outlasts a South Carolina team full of tough finishers. It will be close but the Blue Jays win.

Charlotte (March 23)
2.Tennessee
10.Colorado State
Like Purdue, Tennessee’s March struggles continue when they lose to Colorado State. The Vols’ cannot find any scoring options outside of Knecht and are eliminated.

Sweet 16

Detroit (March 29)
8.Utah State
12.McNeese State
McNeese’s cinderella run continues after they beat Utah State.

3.Creighton
10.Colorado State
Creighton continues on the Elite 8 after ending Colorado State’s run. The Blue Jays are led by Ryan Kalkbrenner inside the paint.

Elite 8

Detroit (March 31)
3.Creighton
12.McNeese State
Greg McDermott finally gets his chance at a Final Four. The Blue Jays end McNeese’s great run and advance to Phoenix.

2024 Midwest Regional Champion: 3.Creighton

Image Courtesy: New York Post

Round of 64

Memphis (March 22)
1.Houston 30-4 (15-3) Big 12
16.Longwood 21-13 (6-10) Big South
Houston was crushed in the Big 12 tournament title by Iowa State. It was an off night for the Cougars. If Jamal Shead and LJ Cryer are on their game again, it should be no problem for Houston to advance.

8.Nebraska 23-10 (12-8) Big Ten
9.Texas A&M 20-14 (9-9) SEC
The Aggies have been so inconsistent this season. In addition, Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams has struggled in the NCAA Tournament. Nebraska wins but it will be close.

Brooklyn (March 22)
5.Wisconsin 22-13 (11-9) Big Ten
12.James Madison 31-3 (15-3) Sun Belt
James Madison beat Michigan State back in November and have since won 30 more basketball games. They have been dominant outside of their losses to Appalachian State. Give me the Dukes to advance.

4.Duke 24-8 (15-5) ACC
13.Vermont 28-6 (15-1) America East
Vermont, like Duke is a mainstay in the NCAA Tournament. But, I believe Duke won’t end their season on three consecutive losses. The Blue Devils move onto the Round of 32.

Pittsburgh (March 21)
6.Texas Tech 23-10 (11-7) Big 12
11.NC State 22-14 (9-11) ACC
NC State will upset Texas Tech and extend their win streak to six. DJ Burns has been a different player for the Wolfpack. The difficult thing for them to do will be stopping Pop Isaacs. If they do that, NC State should continue their win streak.

3.Kentucky 23-9 (13-5) SEC
14.Oakland 23-11 (15-5) Horizon
Kentucky will roll past Oakland with their terrific offense. Many thought the wildcats would be a four seed with Auburn winning the SEC tournament title, but John Calipari’s team was gifted a fairly easy bracket.

Indianapolis (March 22)
7.Florida 24-10 (11-7) SEC
10.Colorado 24-10 (13-7) Pac-12/10.Boise State 22-10 (13-5) Mountain West
Facing either Colorado or Boise State could mean trouble for a Florida team that struggles on defense. All three of these teams can get their’s on offense but I believe Florida

2.Marquette 25-9 (14-6) Big East
15.Western Kentucky 22-11 (8-8) Conference USA
Injury concerns for Marquette star guard Tyler Kolek are happening at the same time they did last year when the Golden Eagles fell to Michigan State in the two versus seven seed game. Marquette should beat Western Kentucky but they must watch out in the next round.

Round of 32

Memphis (March 24)
1.Houston
8.Nebraska
Houston will take Nebraska’s offense away and easily make it to the Round of 32.

Brooklyn (March 24)
4.Duke
12.James Madison
James Madison will take Kyle Filipowski out of the game with their defense and the Dukes will prevent Duke from appearing in the Sweet 16 again. Jon Scheyer will be looking for answers from his incoming 2024 recruiting class.

Pittsburgh (March 23)
3.Kentucky
11.NC State
NC State’s six game run will end at the hands of Kentucky’s offense. The Wildcats’ Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard will end Kevin Keatts team’s season.

Indianapolis (March 24)
2.Marquette
7.Florida
Florida upsets Marquette with Tyler Kolek’s injury concerns. Walter Clayton and Zyon Pullin make the Gators go.

Sweet 16

Dallas (March 29)
1.Houston
12.James Madison
Houston will return to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2022, ending James Madison’s run. Jamal Shead will lead the way.

3.Kentucky
7.Florida
The SEC rivals have already met twice this season. Kentucky won on the road in Gainesville and Florida won on the road in Lexington. I don’t know which way to go on this game. In what would be Kentucky’s first game in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament since before COVID-19, Kentucky advances to the Elite 8.

Elite 8

Dallas (March 31)
1.Houston
3.Kentucky
Kentucky is a popular upset pick to beat the Cougars. But, Houston will join UConn in the Final Four as the top two overall seeds.

2024 South Regional Champion: 1.Houston

Image Courtesy: Hartford Courant

Round of 64

Brooklyn (March 22)
1.Connecticut 31-3 (18-2) Big East
16.Stetson 22-12 (11-5) ASUN
The Huskies have been the best team in the country all season. They should not be the third one seed ever to lose to a sixteen seed.

8.Florida Atlantic 25-8 (14-4) American
9.Northwestern 21-11 (12-8) Big Ten
FAU was surprisingly picked as an eight seed despite three quadrant 4 losses in the NET. The Owls gained respect from their Final Four run a season ago. Star guard Johnell Davis leads the Owls versus star guard Boo Buie of Northwestern. This game should be back and forth between two great coaches, Dusty May and Chris Collins. FAU wins but it is very close.

Spokane (March 22)
5.San Diego State 24-10 (11-7) Mountain West
12.UAB 23-11 (12-6) American
San Diego State, another 2023 Final Four participant makes its way to the east region. Andy Kennedy’s Blazers had to win the American conference tournament to make it to the Big Dance. That being said, San Diego State must use their veterans and terrific defense to win this game and I believe they well.

4.Auburn 27-7 (13-5) SEC
13.Yale 22-9 (11-3) Ivy League
Auburn’s last SEC tournament title resulted in a Final Four appearance in 2019. The tigers did it again in 2024 so could they do it again? Yale beat Brown in the Ivy League title game at the buzzer. Auburn’s depth must take advantage of Yale’s short bench and advance to the round of 32.

Omaha (March 21)
6.BYU 23-10 (10-8) Big 12
11.Duquesne 24-11 (10-8) Atlantic-10
Duquesne seems overseeded as an eleven seed after winning the A-10 tournament as the six seed. The Dukes are a solid team defensively but rely on making three pointers to score. Funny enough, the team on the other bench is the game relies on very similar things. BYU finished in the top half of the Big 12 in their first season in the conference. The Cougars should win this game fairly easily if they make shots consistently.

3.Illinois 26-8 (14-6) Big Ten
14.Morehead State 26-8 (14-4) Ohio Valley
Illinois’ run to the Big Ten tournament championship vaulted them to a three seed in the NCAA Tournament. Terrence Shannon’s scoring run included scoring 31, 34, and 40 points over three games. Shannon versus OVC player of the year Riley Minix should be great TV in Omaha. If the Illini defend Minix well, they should coast and win this game with their high scoring outputs in Minneapolis in this past week.

Omaha (March 21)
7.Washington State 24-9 (14-6) Pac-12
10.Drake 28-6 (16-4) Missouri Valley
I have not picked any upsets yet in this bracket so give me the Drake Bulldogs to beat Kyle Smith’s Washington State Cougars, ending their run at the Pac-12 media days. The bulldogs were a popular upset pick in 2023 but ran into Miami in the round of 64, who advanced to the Final Four.

2.Iowa State 27-7 (13-5) Big 12
15.South Dakota State 22-12 (12-4) Summit League
Many people thought Iowa State may be the last number one seed after dominating Houston in the Big 12 tournament championship. The Cyclones should roll as they face TJ Otzelberger’s old team South Dakota State.

Round of 32

Brooklyn (March 24)
1.Connecticut
8.Florida Atlantic
If the Huskies’ let Johnell Davis get going, they may be in trouble. But, if Danny Hurley’s team does not make the Sweet 16 after such a dominant regular season, their season would be a failure.

Spokane (March 24)
4.Auburn
5.San Diego State
I will ride with Auburn to make it to Boston. The tigers will dominate the Aztecs inside with Johni Broome and Jaylin Williams.

Omaha (March 21)
3.Illinois
6.BYU
This game should be up and down with great offense. Both teams have a lot of experience in these types of games. The Big Ten has struggled in the Round of 32 of late, but this season’s Illini team is more complete than the Cougars.

Omaha (March 21)
2.Iowa State
10.Drake
Give me the Bulldogs to move to the Sweet 16 with an upset of the Cyclones in Omaha. Iowa State’s season ends in weekend one of the NCAA Tournament.

Sweet 16

Boston (March 28)
1.Connecticut
4.Auburn
The Huskies and Tigers will go blow for blow but it will be UConn winning this game in the last minute, led by freshman guard Stephon Castle. Castle has been clutch this season and it will help his team move closer to the Final Four.

3.Illinois
10.Drake
The Illini will finally make the Elite 8 under Brad Underwood after beating Drake. Terrence Shannon will lead the way and set up a match up with UConn in the next round.

Elite 8

Boston (March 30)
1.Connecticut
3.Illinois
The Huskies will return to the Final Four for the second straight year following a great defensive performance. UConn’s amount of talented defensive wings, like Cam Spencer, Alex Karaban, and the aforementioned Castle makes them hard to beat even with Shannon on the other side.

2024 East Regional Champion: 1.Connecticut

Image Courtesy: The Athletic

Please click each of the six links, titled “Game by game predictions” for each conference to find out who I have winning each conference tournament that will commence this week to clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Selection Sunday is next Sunday, March 17th. The show will begin at 5 PM CT on CBS.

ACC (Washington DC)
Bracket
Game by game predictions

Bubble Watch
Locks: North Carolina, Duke, Clemson
Should Be In: N/A
Work to do: Virginia, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, Syracuse

The ACC will be a three bid league in March Madness next week unless Virginia and Wake Forest make deep runs in Washington DC. Pittsburgh and Syracuse have outside shots without strong nonconference resumés. After starting out conference play well, Florida State struggled to the finish. After a Final Four appearance last April, Miami failed to have success without Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller, who went to the pros. North Carolina (likely one or two seed), Duke (potential two or three seed), and Clemson (likely five or seed) will be among the top thirty overall seeds in the tournament no matter what happens in the ACC Tournament. With how weak the league is compared to 2019, when it had three number one seeds in the NCAA Tournament, I expect top seeds North Carolina and Duke to make it to the ACC Tournament final to match up for a third time this season. It is hard to beat the same team three times in the same season, but these Tar Heels have a toughness about them that no one else in the conference has.

Projected Conference Tournament Winner: 1.North Carolina

Big 12 (Kansas City)
Bracket
Game by game predictions

Bubble Watch
Locks: Houston, Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas, BYU, TCU, Texas Tech, Texas
Should Be In: Oklahoma
Work to do: Kansas State

The Big 12 is great again this season with Houston, Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas, BYU, TCU, Texas Tech, and Texas all already being for sure locks. Oklahoma will be in with just a singular win in Kansas City while Kansas State has some work to do to make it in. Houston came in from the American Athletic and dominated the Big 12 in their first season, going 28-3 during the regular season. Iowa State was very consistent in January and February to finish second followed by Baylor, Texas Tech, BYU, and Kansas. The Jayhawks have wins over likely one seeds UConn, Houston, and Tennessee but have lost nine games overall, the most in the Bill Self era. On the other end of the spectrum, Oklahoma was a top ten team in the AP poll for much of December but failed to establish success in Big 12 play with 12 overall losses. I do not see any of the lower seeds pushing through to win the Big 12 tournament but you never know what will happen in Kansas City.

Projected Conference Tournament Winner: 2.Iowa State

Big East (New York City)
Bracket
Game by game predictions

Bubble Watch
Locks: Connecticut, Marquette, Creighton
Should Be In: N/A
Work to do: Villanova, Seton Hall, Providence, St. John’s

The Big East runs through UConn until some other team takes it from them. The reigning national champions and 2024 Big East regular season champions ran through the league with only two losses. Creighton and Marquette are the only other locks to make the Big Dance from the conference but with just a single win at Madison Square Garden this week, Seton Hall should be in. Providence needs a few wins to beef up their resumé Villanova cannot lose another game with 14 losses already on the season. Anyone other than UConn or Creighton winning this conference tournament would be surprising with Marquette’s point guard Tyler Kolek’s injury concerns.

Projected Conference Tournament Winner: 1.Connecticut

Big Ten (Minneapolis)
Bracket
Game by game predictions

Bubble Watch
Locks: Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin
Should Be In: Michigan State, Northwestern, Nebraska
Work to do: Iowa

Like UConn, Purdue has control over their conference, the Big Ten. The Boilermakers three losses may be more concerning than the Huskies or the Cougars but they are the favorites to win back to back Big Ten tournaments. Illinois and Wisconsin are the only other locks in the conference but Michigan State, Northwestern, and Nebraska should be in with a few wins each in Minneapolis this week. Iowa needs to either win the Big Ten tournament title or at least make the title game. The Boilermakers should win this tournament again but watch out for Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Northwestern to make some noise.

Projected Conference Tournament Winner: 1.Purdue

Pac-12 (Las Vegas)
Bracket
Game by game predictions

Bubble Watch
Locks: Arizona and Washington State
Should Be In: Colorado
Work to do: Utah

Any team in this final Pac-12 tournament ever could win it. That is why I picked Utah to make a run to secure an NCAA Tournament bid. Top seed Arizona was upset by USC on Saturday night, hurting their chances at a number one seed. Washington State could have been the one seed in the Pac-12 tournament but they failed to do so after losing to instate rival Washington. Arizona, Washington State, and Colorado, and Oregon could very well also make runs and win the Pac-12 tournament but I believe in the Utes this week. They could lose in their first game, or they could make it all the way. The Pac-12 is very unpredictable this year.

Projected Conference Tournament Winner: 6.Utah

SEC (Nashville)
Bracket
Game by game predictions

Bubble Watch
Locks: Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky, Auburn, Florida
Should Be In: Mississippi State
Work to do: Texas A&M

The depth of the SEC this season has made it comparable to the Big 12. Tennessee won the league with 14 victories after Alabama faltered late to fall to the three seed. Kentucky’s terrific offense makes other coaches and fans think how they will stop it. The Wildcats’ defense has been up and down but if their offense keeps on going, they will be hard to stop. South Carolina has won its most games ever in the regular season (25) under Lamont Paris while Auburn and Florida round out the locks. Mississippi State must beat LSU in the first round of the SEC Tournament to make it to the madness while Texas A&M needs multiple wins to make it in. Alabama will bounce back after a rough last two weeks of conference play to become the conference’s auto bid this March.

Projected Conference Tournament Winner: 3.Alabama