Previewing the Madness: The SEC

Just like we all expected, the SEC West stunk this year while the SEC East can send five teams to the NCAA Tournament.

Florida pulled away from the SEC pack late in the season, as the team that lacked leadership and point guard play consistently won close game after close game. The Gators barely edged out Alabama for the outright SEC title. The Crimson Tide finished 12-4 in the SEC, but thanks to an absolutely atrocious performance in the non-conference portion of their schedule, 'Bama still has some work to do is they are going to go dancing.

After Florida, its tough to really decipher who is the second best team. Common sense says Kentucky, but the Wildcats needed to beat Tennessee on the road in the regular season's final game just to avoid a four-team tie at 9-7. Kentucky has been terrific at home, but inept on the road, and while the fact that a team with the talent that Kentucky has finished 10-6 in a weak SEC, they are not the most confounding SEC team.

Tennessee is. The Vols beat Villanova and Pitt early in the season, but then struggle to find any modicum of consistency the rest of the season. Georgia, like Alabama, needs to win a game or two to feel comfortable about their bubble standings. Vanderbilt is in the dance safely.

Where: Atlanta, GA

When: March 10th-13th

Final: March 13th, 1:00 pm, ESPN


Favorite: Florida Gators

It feels weird saying that Florida is the favorite to win anything, but this is a very good basketball team. Chandler Parsons, a versatile, 6'10" small forward, was named SEC player of the year as he really came on strong in conference play. Parsons creates matchup problems for opponents as he is able to put the ball on the floor, has three point range, but also is one of the best rebounders in the SEC. In the post, Vernon Macklin has become a fairly reliable back to the basket scorer, and with Erik Murphy and Alex Tyus joining him, the Gators have a solid trio. Erving Walker has come along as a point guard, improving his shot selection, but he is still more of a scoring guard than he is a natural point. The x-factor for this team is Kenny Boynton, who may be the streakiest shooter in the country. He has a knack for hitting big jumpers.

• Other Contenders: Kentucky is the most talented team in the SEC. Terrence Jones was named the freshman of the year, but Brandon Knight may have been better than him down the stretch of the season. Those two are the best 1-2 scoring punch in the conference, and when Doron Lamb and Darius Miller are also hitting jumpers, this is a very dangerous basketball team. The key, however, may be the play of DeAndre Liggins, John Calipari's defensive stopper, and Josh Harrellson, the rebounder, bruiser, and enforcer in the paint.
  
  After those two, Vanderbilt probably has the best chance to win this tournament. John Jenkins and Jeff Taylor could both end up being first round picks when they eventually go to the NBA, and Fetsus Ezeli has developed into a very good post player.
  

Sleeper: Tennessee Volunteers

They fit the definition of a sleeper to a T. They are a talented group of players that have proven they can beat quality teams. They have just never been able to put it together, especially down the stretch of games. But, like I said, the Vols have talent. Scotty Hopson is as good of a scorer as there is in the country when he is aggressive attacking the rim. Tobias Harris has the skill set to be a lottery pick. The issue is at the point, where Melvin Goins is simply just not a very good offensive player.

• Deeper Sleepers: I really like Alabama this season. Travis Releford has come along as a point guard, JaMychal Green is one of the best big men in the conference, and Tony Mitchell may be the most exciting player in the league to watch. Don't sleep on Georgia, either. Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie are both going to end up in the first round of the NBA Draft while Gerald Robinson and Dustin Ware are capable back court options.

Players to Watch:

• Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins, Georgia: I am a big fan of both of these players. Thompkins is a terrific post player with a back to the basket game and range on his jumper while Leslie is one of the best slashers in the league and arguably the best dunker in the country.
• Tony Mitchell, Alabama: Mitchell is simply one of the most entertaining players in the country to watch. He's athletic, he's aggressive going to the glass, and he finishes above the rim and in transition.
• Chris Warren, Ole Miss: Warren is one of those guys that was never fortunate enough to play on a good team in college. He's a terrific scorer with range on his three that is good enough to win a game on his own.
  

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Previewing the Madness: The ACC

The unlikeliest conference finish of the season belongs to the ACC, where North Carolina, the team that everyone had left for dead heading into conference play, is champ.

Duke was the favorite coming into the season. Not the favorite to win just win the ACC, but to win everything. Hell, if was just three months ago that we were talking about the possibility of the Blue Devils going undefeated. Seems like a long time ago, doesn't it?

The rest of the ACC has been mired in mediocrity all season long, with teams like Florida State and Virginia Tech going from ranked in the top 25 to the bubble conversation. And while that mediocrity has made for, at times, some ugly basketball, it hasn't caused a like of excitement or intrigue heading into the league tournament.

With three teams -- Boston College, Virginia Tech, and Clemson -- sitting on the bubble's cut line and a fourth -- Maryland -- a run to the final away from a bid, there will be plenty decided over the next four days in Greensboro Coliseum.

Where: Greensboro, NC

When: March 10th-13th

Final: March 13th, 1:00 pm, ESPN


Favorite: Duke Blue Devils

I know, I know, I know. North Carolina just ran Duke off of the court in the regular season finale, locking up the regular season title in the process. And while North Carolina is currently the hottest team in the conference, if not the country, I am not yet ready to hand over the title of tournament favorite just yet. Duke is experienced. They've won titles before, including last year's national title. For my money, the national player of the year is on Duke's roster in the form of Nolan Smith. Seth Curry is turning into a dangerous complimentary scorer. And Kyle Singler? Well, if you remember, last year's Final Four most outstanding player had a relatively ho-hum regular season in 2009-2010 as well.

• Other Contenders: Having said all that about the Dukies, if they are the favorite, then North Carolina is the favorite with an asterisk. Since Larry Drew was benched in favor on Kendall Marshall, the Tar Heels are one bad half away from winning out. Harrison Barnes is finally living up to the hype he had coming into the season. John Henson and Tyler Zeller are playing as well as they have in their entire careers. But winning under pressure is a learned skill. North Carolina has a young roster that hasn't experienced much success in their careers. I may end up looking foolish here, but I am not ready to hand over the title of tournament favorite just yet.
  

Sleeper: Virginia Tech Hokies

Ugh. I hate putting any kind of faith in Seth Greenberg's teams late in the season. But at some point, they have to come away with some big wins, right? Outside of Duke and UNC, the Hokies are probably the most talented team in the conference with Malcolm Delaney and Jeff Allen on their roster. They also knocked off Duke two weekends ago, which gives me some faith that this team can still wake up before the season is over.

• Deeper Sleepers: Can I call Florida State a sleeper? Even if Chris Singleton comes back for the tournament? He's been participating in some non-contact drills, so may his foot heels up in time. Regardless, this team has been better on the offensive end of the floor without Singleton and they still have size inside and some good defenders on the perimeter. Boston College's Reggie Jackson could very well be the best player in the ACC not named Nolan Smith, and when he gets help in the form of Joe Trapani, Corey Raji, and Biko Paris, the Eagles are a tough out.
  

Players to Watch:

• Jordan Williams, Maryland: Williams may very well be the best big man in the ACC. He's physical on the block, he can create position, and he is an excellent rebounder. When he is finishing inside and hitting his free throws, Williams is a legitimate 20-10 guy.
• Reggie Jackson, Boston College: I'm not talking about Mr. October. Jackson is an excellent scorer with range that can create for his teammates as well. He is also a tremendous leaper that has his share of poster dunks in his career.

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Previewing the Madness: The Big Ten

The Big Ten is arguably the most disappointing conference in the country.

Its not because of anything Ohio State, Purdue, or Wisconsin did this season. The Buckeyes were thought to be a top five team coming into the season, and they may actually be better than most thought they could be. Purdue's terrific season is only marred by the thought of just how good this team would be if they still had Robbie Hummel. Wisconsin, as they do every season, proved why you should never, ever count them out, not when Bo Ryan and his efficient style are at the helm.

The disappointment lies with Michigan State, who went from a national title favorite in the preseason to the No. 7 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. It lies with Illinois, a Final Four sleeper that couldn't find any toughness inside or consistency out of Demetri McCamey. It lies with Minnesota, whose problems at the point cost this team the chance at a storybook season.

If anything, the theme of this tournament is redemption. There are four legitimate bubble teams in the league. Will anyone get in?

Where: Indianapolis, IN

When: March 10th-13th

Final: March 13th,


Favorite: Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes are the best team in the country. Its as simple as that. By now, you all know why. Jared Sullinger is the most dominant force in college basketball on the block, not just because of how he scores or rebounds, but because of how the Ohio State offense works through him. Aaron Craft has silenced all doubters with his terrific floor game and lock down defensive ability. Jon Diebler, David Lighter, and William Buford all play their role to perfection, and are all capable of exploding for 25 points when the moment calls. DeShaun Thomas and Dallas Lauderdale both understand and embrace their roles. Well coached. Talented. Tough defensively. Efficient offensively. To quote Jay-Z, what more can I say?

• Other Contenders: Purdue and Wisconsin are the other two contenders, although I would say that the Badgers have the better chance at winning. Why? Michigan State. The Boilermakers, who are led by Big Ten player of the year JaJuan Johnson, get the Spartans in the second round of the tournament if MSU can take care of Iowa. As much as Izzo's crew has struggled this season, this is still a talented group whose core has been to back-to-back Final Fours.
  
  Wisconsin has a much easier draw, playing Penn State or Indiana in their first game. I love the Badgers this season. They are the epitome of efficiency, led by Jordan Taylor, who is having arguably the most underrated season in the history of college basketball. They matchup well with Purdue, but as the 93-65 drubbing that Ohio State put on the Badgers in the season finale illustrates, Wisconsin does not have the same ceiling as the Buckeyes.

Sleeper: Penn State Nittany Lions

I refuse to refer to Illinois or Michigan State as sleepers out of principal, but even if I didn't, the Nittany Lions would be my pick in this conference. For starters, they have Talor Battle, who may be the best player in the country you have never seen play. They also have Jeff Brooks, who has developed into a solid secondary scoring option this season. Most importantly, however, PSU has won big games. They beat Michigan State, Illinois, Wisconsin, and swept Minnesota.

• Deeper Sleepers: Michigan was playing as well as anyone in the conference at the end of the regular season, winning eight of their last 11 games to play their way onto the bubble. The Wolverines have a talented and productive point guard in Darius Morris as well as one of the hottest freshman in the country in Tim Hardaway Jr.

Players to Watch: The Big Ten isn't short on talent, especially at the top of the league. Since those guys are household names by now, we are going to focus of the bottom of the league.

• John Shurna, Northwestern: Shurna had what was destined to be a great season absolutely derailed by ankle injuries and a concussion. But this kid can really play and is a perfect fit for the Wildcat's system. He's a lanky, 6'6" small forward with a deadly perimeter stroke that was averaging 24 ppg before rolling his ankle.
  
• Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota: Its a shame that the Golden Gophers lost all their point guards, but Mbakwe is not getting lost in the shuffle. At 6'8", 240 pounds, he's a rebounding machine that dunks as hard as anyone in the league. Think Quincy Acy after spending three months training for the NFL combine.
• Melsahn Besabe, Iowa: Besabe has become a nightly double-double threat in Big Ten play, putting up impressive numbers against quality competition, including a 22 point, 13 board, six block night against Ohio State.
  

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Previewing the Madness: The Pac-10

The Pac-10 is down this season, there really isn't a question about that.

But just because the league is down doesn't mean there hasn't been exciting, competitive basketball.

Washington was the runaway favorite in the preseason, but they really struggled down the stretch of the season, losing three of their last five games and falling to third in the conference standings. Arizona had control late in the season, but an ugly 0-2 road trip to the LA schools forced them into a situation where they had to sweep the final weekend to win the regular season title. UCLA was the surprise team. For all the flack they have gotten the last couple of years, the Bruins finished all alone in second place in the Pac-10 tournament.

Now, with teams like Washington State, USC, and Cal playing some of their best basketball of the season, don't be surprised when you see some upsets in this tournament. It may not have the number of tournament teams that the Big East has, but that should do nothing to diminish the entertainment value, to say nothing of the competition on the bubble for the teams sitting in 3rd-6th.

Where: Staples Center, LA

When: March 9th-12th

Final: March 12th, 6:00 pm, ESPN


Favorite: Arizona Wildcats

Right now, Arizona is the best team in this conference. Derrick Williams is not just the best player in the Pac-10, he is one of the best in the country and will likely be a first team all-american when things are all said and done. One of Arizona's bigger problems is that they haven't had a consistent second option step up alongside Williams. There is talent there -- Solomon Hill, Kevin Parrom, Jordin Mayes, Jesse Perry -- but that talent is inexperienced. Jamelle Horne and Kyle Fogg provide some of that leadership, but it gets to the biggest problem for the Wildcats -- point guard play. Momo Jones has had some big games this season, but he is inconsistent and is not enough of a playmaker.

• Other Contenders: Washington and UCLA are the two other teams that should be considered favorites to win this thing. The Huskies are, easily, the most talented team in the conference. But they have been completely out of whack down the stretch. Throw in Veony Overton's suspension and Justin Holiday's concussion on top of Abdul Gaddy's knee injury, its tough to know what to expect out of this team. UCLA has played much better late in the season, as they are finally starting to play defense like a Ben Howland team. With guys like Tyler Honeycutt, Reeves Nelson, Joshua Smith, and Malcolm Lee on the roster, there is plenty of talent for the Bruins. Will they play like it?
  

Sleeper: Washington State Cougars

I like Wazzu this season. Klay Thompson is as good of a shooter and scorer as there is in the country. With Faisal Aden and Reggie Moore playing alongside him in the back court, the Cougars can match up with anyone in the conference. Inside, DeAngelo Casto and Marcus Capers are both above-average Pac-10 players. Better news? They play Washington in the first round, a team they swept this season. When the Cougar's shots are dropping, they are a tough team to beat.

• Deeper Sleepers: The Cal Bears has one of the most fun players in the conference to watch in Jorge Gutierrez, but with the emergence of Allen Crabbe late in the season as a secondary scorer on the perimeter, the Bears have become a threat to pull an upset. Also keep an eye on USC. This team has a number of impressive wins this season, and while they also have some questionable losses, those losses came before Jio Fontan was eligible. Nikola Vucevic is the best low-post scorer in the conference.
  

Players to Watch:

• Jorge Gutierrez, Cal: Gutierrez plays as intense as anyone in the Pac-10. He's a terrific defender that has really developed his offensive game this season. One of the benefits of the Bears winning the Pac-10 Tournament will be that the rest of the country gets a chance to see Gutierrez play. He's worth it.
• Klay Thompson, Washington State: Like I said, Thompson is one of the best scorers in the country. He led the Pac-10 in scoring at 21.4 ppg and is a pleasure to watch work off the ball.
• Nikola Vucevic, USC: As anyone ever averaged 17.7 ppg and 10.3 rpg and been more anonymous on a national level than Vucevic?
  

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Previewing the Madness: The Big 12

The Big 12 was wild this season.

It was considered by many to be the best conference in the country in the preseason, but with the way that teams like Kansas State, Baylor, Missouri, and Texas played early in the season, that notion went out the window pretty quickly.

We may have been too quick to judge, however. Kansas has been the favorite just about the entire season, with the exception of the start of Big 12 play, when the Longhorns made their surge. Bolstered by a punishing defense, the Longhorns at one point held a two game lead on the Jayhawks late in February before a stretch of three losses in four games.

Kansas State was the next team to surge, rebounding from a 4-6 start in the league to win their last six games and finish the season tied for third in the conference. Will Baylor or Missouri be the team to make their run this week?

Another interesting storyline of this tournament is the bubble. Both Baylor and Colorado are sitting squarely where you don't want to be -- the cut line. Both will probably want to win two games to feel comfortable, but their first round matchups -- Colorado against Iowa State and Baylor against Oklahoma -- come against teams that knocked them off this season.

Where: Kansas City, MO

When: March 9th-12th

Final: March 12th, ESPN, 5:00 pm


Favorite: Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks have to be considered the favorite to win this tournament, as they, along with Ohio State, are the two favorites to win the national title. Kansas is as efficient and balanced as anyone in the country. It starts with the Morris twins inside, who are both versatile scorers. They also rebound the ball and defend, combining with Thomas Robinson off the bench to provide one of the best front lines in the country. The Jayhawk back court is deep and talented, as well. Tyshawn Taylor is their best point guard, but they also have Josh Selby, who is capable of going for 20 on a given night despite his struggles down the stretch, and Elijah Johnson, who proved he is a starting point guard in the Big 12 when Taylor was suspended late in the season. Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar are the leaders and the knock down jumper shooters that keep the floor spread.

• Other Contenders: There are two that fit into this category. Texas has slipped up the past couple of week, but the Longhorns are terrific defensively. Tristan Thompson has become a force on the block and arguably the best low-post player in the conference. The question mark is going to be Jordan Hamilton, and to a lesser extent J'Covan Brown. Will those two rediscover the selectiveness that made them dangerous scorers this season, and if they don't, will they continue to struggle defensively?
  
  Kansas State is the other contender. Their resurgence has been sparked by Jacob Pullen (more on him in a bit), but the Wildcats have also started to play like the team we expected them to be early in the season. They are playing aggressive, physical, and intense basketball once again, as their front court is overwhelming opponents while their back court are ball hawking defensively.
  

Sleeper: Missouri Tigers

The Tigers, for my money, have the best chance at stealing this title. For starters, they will be playing in an arena that is actually in Missouri, a place they have played twice already this season. They also play the most unique system, one that is difficult to plan for on short notice. They are deep and they press for 40 minutes. When tired legs start to become a factor, the Tigers may be the best equipped to not only deal with it, but to take advantage of it in their opponents.

• Deeper Sleepers: Baylor is arguably the most talented team in the conference, with an all-american caliber scorer in LaceDarius Dunn and a long and athletic front line. Texas A&M is a team I am not sold on, but they defend and they rebound consistently, and Mark Turgeon always fields teams that don't make mistakes. Colorado is another option, as the Buffaloes have proven to be a tough out and can claim two of the best scorers in the league in Cory Higgins and Alec Burks.
  

Players to Watch:

• Jacob Pullen, Kansas State: He's been awesome during Big 12 play and taken his game to another level down the stretch. He's hitting his jumpers now, he's getting to the basket and to the foul line, and he's executing when he has the ball in his hands at the end of a clock. There is a legitimate argument to be made that he was the Big 12 player of the year -- he averaged 21.4 ppg, he led all guards in field goal percentage, and he was top ten in steals and assists.
• Marcus Denmon, Missouri: The Tigers high scoring guard has really come on as a junior. He's perfect for Missouri's system -- he is a lights out shooter, a quality defender, and capable of making plays in the open floor.
• Alec Burks, Colorado: Burks is a terrific slasher that doesn't get the publicity he deserves because he plays for Colorado. Its not a mistake that he averaged 19.5 ppg and 6.4 rpg.
  

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Previewing the Madness: The Mountain West (Sponsored Post)

The Mountain West probably won't be getting the four bids we all expected them to get coming into the season, but that doesn't mean that this wasn't one of the toughest leagues in the country.

The MWC boasts two of the top ten teams in the country. BYU and SDSU shared the regular season crown, but that was mostly a result of Brandon Davies getting suspended by the school due to Honor Code violations. The Cougars, led by The Jimmer, knocked off the Aztecs twice this season.

While those two are the face of the league, they are far from the only talent. UNLV is a tournament team once again, paced by an excellent defensive back court. Colorado State probably has the most dynamic front court in the conference with Andy Ogide and Travis Franklin. And then there is New Mexico, who has struggled this season with all of their new additions and a banged up Dairese Gary, but with the way Drew Gordon has been playing of late, this Lobo team is absolutely a threat to make a run in Vegas.

Where: Las Vegas

When: March 9th-12th

Final: March 12, 7:00 pm, Versus


Favorite: San Diego State

I know that they lost to BYU twice. I know that. But I am also a huge fan of the San Diego State front court. Kawhi Leonard is the perfect small forward for this roster -- a slasher and terrific rebounder that has added some perimeter skills this season -- anchoring a talented front line that also features Malcolm Thomas and Billy White. On the perimeter, DJ Gay has turned into very good possession point guard that doesn't turn the ball over and can really shoot it from the perimeter. With James Rahon and Chase Tapley providing some scoring balance, its no wonder this team has climbed into the top ten.

• Other Contenders: BYU has to be considered a contender as long as they have Jimmer Fredette on their roster. The Jimmer has struggled a bit with his shot and turnovers down the stretch, but he is still the most potent scoring machine in the country. With Davies out, Jackson Emery and Charles Abouo are going to need to absorb some of the scoring load while guys like Noah Hartsock and Stephen Rogers are going to need to up their physicality inside.
  

Sleeper: UNLV

Its tough to call the Runnin' Rebels a sleeper, but they have to be as they are no where near the level of BYU or SDSU. The issue with this team is on the offensive end of the floor. As many talented players as Lon Kruger has amassed, this team lacks a certain creativity with the ball. UNLV can defend and force turnovers with the best of them, but they get far too many tough looks on that end. Tre'Von Willis is the name you will know, but Anthony Marshall is the glue to this team in the way that David Lighty is Ohio States glue. Also keep in mind, this tournament will be played at the Thomas and Mack Center, UNLV's home floor.

• Deeper Sleepers: Colorado State is talented and has two big time scorers in their front court. There are some red flags on this team, but if both Ogide and Franklin both find a rhythm this week, the Rams will be a tough out. As will New Mexico, who has underachieved this season. But that doesn't change the fact that these Lobos have all-conference caliber talents in Gary and Gordon.
  

Players to Watch:

• Anthony Marshall, UNLV: Marshall can do everything. He's the teams best on the ball defender, he can create with the bounce, and he is a tremendous athlete.
  
• Will Clybrun, Utah: This one of tough, but Clyburn is a heck of a player. He is the second-leading scorer in the conference and the third-leading rebounder.
  

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Butler's can earn an automatic bid tonight, while Oakland looks to finish a dominating season

Horizon, 10:00 pm, ESPNU: #2 Butler @ #1 Milwaukee

As anyone that reads this website should already be fully aware of, Butler is the reigning national runner-up. But with the loss of Gordon Hayward and Willie Veasley, this team simply is not as good defensively as they were last season. That said, Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard provide Brad Stevens with the best inside-outside combination in the conference. The Bulldogs started league play 6-5, but they rallied late, winning their last seven games to earn the two seed before knocking off Cleveland State in the semifinals to advance and face Milwaukee in the Horizon title game.


Ironically, Milwaukee has beaten Butler twice this season. Since the Bulldogs still have a chance to earn an at-large bid with a loss, that would have to make them the only NCAA Tournament team that ever lost to Milwaukee three times in one season. The fact that the Panthers are playing for a trip to the NCAA Tournament is surprising in and of itself. They started the season 5-7 in non-conference play and then 4-5 in the Horizon, but they won their last nine games in conference play, which was enough to earn them the No. 1 overall seed. Will the Horizon once again be a two-bid league?


Summit, 9:00 pm, ESPN2: #1 Oakland vs. #2 Oral Roberts

Oakland is legit. Keith Benson is an NBA center. Reggie Hamilton is a terrific playmaker on the perimeter. Will Hudson and Larry Wright are both excellent role layers. Tennessee may have collapsed this season, but the fact that the Golden Grizzlies beat the Vols in Nashville was not a fluke. If Oakland makes the NCAA Tournament, they have a real shot at springing an upset in the first round.

They haven't made the tournament yet, however, as Oakland still has to beat a tough Oral Roberts team tonight. The Golden Eagles won their last eight games of the regular season, and have extended that streak to ten games in making the Summit final. Oral Roberts has a balanced attack (four players average double figures) and a star in Dominique Morrison.


Sun Belt, 7:00 pm:, ESPN2: #4W North Texas vs. #5W Arkansas-Little Rock

During the preseason, many believed that North Texas was one of the favorites to win the Sub Belt's auto bid, and while they had a bit of a disappointing season, the Mean Green are right there at the end of the season, with a chance to play their way into an auto-bid. Keep an eye on (the other) Tristan Thompson, an 18.1 ppg scorer. UALR finished the season under .500 in league play, but thanks to a big week from Solomon Bozeman (he's averaging 22.7 ppg in three Sun Belt tourney games), the Trojans rallied to advance to the title game.

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Previewing the Madness: The Big East

There is only one thing you need to know about the 2011 Big East Tournament -- UConn and Villanova, who have both spent time in the top ten this season -- will be playing on the first day of the tournament.

Think about that for a second.

Two teams that were at one point considered two of the ten best teams in the country could not even secure a top eight seed in their conference. While UConn may have been overrated due to the ridiculous start Kemba Walker had and Villanova has had an epic collapse down the stretch of the season, the fact that those two will have to win five games in five days to take home the Big East Tournament title should tell you the kind of depth this league has.

The ironic part, however, is that while there is an unprecedented amount of "good" in the Big East, there isn't all that much "great". Pitt and Notre Dame certified themselves as the top two teams in the league, but they are the kind of powerhouse that you expect to see at the top of the Big East. This isn't the Pitt, UConn, and Louisville teams of 2009.

Where: Madison Square Garden

When: March 8th-12th

Final: March 12th, 9:00 pm, ESPN


Favorite: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Yup, I'm going with it. Let me explain, because I do have a convincing argument. The Irish have won 11 of their last 12 games. Ben Hansbrough, who should win the Big East player of the year award in the voters get it right, has been playing the best basketball of his career of late. Tim Abromaitis has refound his shooting stroke. This team is loaded with experienced basketball players that create all kinds of matchup problems with their versatility. Throw in the fact that this group owns Pitt of late -- they've won three in a row against the Panthers using their Burn Offense -- and the Irish are my pick to win it all.

• Other Contenders: The list of contenders for the Big East title is long. There is regular season champion Pitt, although the Panthers are playing short handed right now. Back up big man Talib Zanna broke his thumb and is still out of the lineup. He's the Panthers best offensive rebounder, and for a team that thrives on cleaning up the offensive glass, this loss is much more significant than you think. The Panthers have as many losses without Zanna as they did with him in the lineup.
  
  There are a number of other teams capable of winning this thing. Syracuse is a tough team to beat at the Garden, and when Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph are playing well, the Orange are a very good team. Louisville is the streakiest team in conference. They press and they shoot a lot of threes, and when the threes are dropping and they are forcing turnovers, the Cardinals are a tough team to beat.
  

Sleeper: St. John's Red Storm

Its weird calling a team that is ranked as high as the Johnnies are a sleeper, but they are the fifth seed in the Big East, so I'll allow it. The Red Storm struggled early in the season, but they have really come together down the stretch as Dwight Hardy has become one of the best scorers in the league. But the biggest reason St. John's has a shot at winning this thing? They are a much better team at home, and their home court just so happens to be Madison Square Garden.

• Deeper Sleepers: West Virginia is really coming together late in the season Joe Mazzulla and Kevin Jones are finally hitting their stride late in the season, while they have three legitimate scoring threats -- Deniz Kilicli, Casey Mitchell, Truck Bryant -- that are all capable of going for 20 points. Also keep an eye on Cincinnati. The Bearcats have come on late in the season and played their way off the bubble and into a potential six seed in the NCAA Tournament.
  

Players to Watch:

• Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall: Hazell has been through more this season than is fair. He broke his wrist early in the season, got shot on christmas day, and has had to deal with arguably the most dysfunctional basketball program in the country. That said, he can score with the best of them. When he gets hot, he is fun to watch.
• Marshon Brooks, Providence: Brooks leads the league in scoring. He's gone for 43 points and 52 points this season. Need I say more?
• Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette: DJO is one of my favorite players in the conference to watch. The Kanye West lookalike is a lefty that just knows how to score. He's got range well beyond the three point line and dunks as hard as anyone in the country.
  

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Previewing the Madness: The WCC Tournament

As we have grown accustomed to these days, the WCC regular season title came down to Gonzaga and St. Mary's. In other news, grass is green, water is wet, and Virginia Tech is on the bubble.

Gonzaga was the favorite to win the league coming into the season, but the loss of Matt Bouldin hurt this team much more than anyone expected. The Zags struggled during their difficult non-conference schedule and took a couple of early losses in WCC play, including their first matchup, to fall behind the Gaels by two games. St. Mary's seemingly had tossed the season into cruise control, but they went down to San Diego and suffered one of the most excruciatingly inexplicable losses of the season. They followed that up with losses to Gonzaga and Utah State at home, and all of a sudden the Gaels had not only blown their WCC lead, they put themselves in serious jeopardy of losing a potential at-large bid.

It says up a terrific scenario should both teams make it to the finals of the WCC Tournament. Two nationally recognized teams with familiar names and faces playing a nationally televised rubber match which, potentially, could be for their conference's only bid to the NCAA Tournament. That, my friends, is March Madness at its best.

Where: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas

When: March 4th-7th

Final: March 7th, 9:00 pm on ESPN2

(Bracket can be seen here.)

Favorites: Gonzaga Bulldogs

Whether or not you consider Gonzaga or St. Mary's the favorite for the WCC Tournament is a matter of opinion. I just happen to be of the opinion that Gonzaga is playing better right now. The Zags have won seven in a row, they erased a two-game deficit in the WCC standings in the span of a week, and just eight days ago they beat the Gaels in Moraga in overtime. Elias Harris and Sam Dower are both playing arguably their best basketball of the season, and -- as least Zags fans hope -- this team appears to be peaking right now.

• Other Contenders: St. Mary's is the obvious choice here. They lost three straight games, blowing both their lead in the WCC and their standing as an NCAA Tournament team. I really like the make-up of this team -- Mickey McConnell, Matthew Dellavedova, and Stephen Holt maybe the most underrated back court in the country -- and up until last week, the general consensus seemed to be that the Gaels were the best team in the conference. How much does one game actually change that?

Sleeper: There are a number of them in this league, but I think the best pick outside of the top two is San Francisco. The Dons lost their top two scorers this season, but with a more balanced attack led by Michael Williams, Rashad Green, and Perris Blackwell, USF finished third in the WCC at 10-4, one game off the lead. They also knocked off Gonzaga. This team is legit.

• Deeper Sleeper: Portland is a team that you have to keep an eye on. While they finished fifth in the league standings after losing guy Nik Raivio and TJ Campbell, the 1-2-3 punch of Jared Stohl, Nemanja Mitrovic, and Luke Sikma is dangerous.

Players to Watch

• Kevin Foster, Santa Clara: Foster is the leading scorer in the WCC, and for good reason. He's a gunner, having taken 298 threes in just 31 games this season, but when he gets going he can single handedly win a basketball game. Ask the Zags. They learned the hard way when Foster went for 36 against them earlier this year.
• Rob Jones, St. Mary's: I didn't mention him in the St. Mary's section of the write-up, but Jones is an animal. Generously listed at 6'6", Jones averages 13.8 ppg and 7.6 rpg and almost single-handedly kept St. Mary's in the game against Gonzaga last week.

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Previewing the Madness: The CAA Tournament

The CAA is one of the most interesting and entertaining mid-major conferences to follow. Every year, it seems like there are four or five teams in the mix for the conference title in February, and come Selection Sunday there are always teams sitting on the bubble, hoping to hear their name.

This year was no exception. George Mason may have pulled away late in the year, but that should take nothing away from the terrific seasons had by Old Dominion, VCU, and Hofstra. Its a long shot, but if VCU or Hofstra can spring an upset and make a run to the title game, there is a chance that three team from the conference can dance. Weak bubble or not, that's phenomenal for a league like the CAA.

Where: Richmond, VA

When: March 4rd-7th

Final: March 7th, 7:00 pm ESPN2


Favorites: George Mason Patriots

Don't be fooled by conference affiliation, George Mason is a very good basketball team. They are also a bit unique. Their point guard Andre Cornelius is the resident sharpshooter. Cam Long, the team's leading scorer, and Luke Hancock, a 6'5" small forward that leads the team in assists, are the playmakers on the wings. Mike Morrison is a big body around the rim while Ryan Pearson is a 14.8 ppg scoring threat as a face-up power forward. Obviously, the Patriots have quite a bit of versatility of the offensive end of the floor. More importantly, Mason hasn't lost since January 8th, a streak of 15 straight games.

• Other Contenders: Old Dominion is the Pitt of the CAA. They are big, they are physical, they defend, and their best offense at times is to throw the ball at the rim and go get the rebound. Hofstra is led by Charles Jenkins, who is nearly a 24 ppg scorer. He's good enough to put the Pride on his back and carry them to the tournament title if he gets hot. And while the Rams have been struggling down the stretch, I am also a fan of VCU. They are a poor man's Louisville, as they press, they zone, and they take a lot of threes.

Sleeper: Drexel Dragons

I like this Drexel team. They are similar to Old Dominion in that they have a number of athletes, they defend hard, and they crash the glass. Its a typical Bruiser Flint team. They don't really have all that much shooting -- Chris Fouchs is shooting just 32.6% from three -- and when they struggle, it is because they struggle to score. Regardless, this is a tough team that will be a tough out .

• Deeper Sleeper: James Madison has a couple of potential NBA talents, including Denzel Bowles, but the team to keep a watch on is Northeastern. They were very young coming into the season, but they were led by Chaisson Allen, a senior guard that has played a lot of important minutes in his time. After losing the first eight games of the CAA season, the Huskies rebounded, finishing the year on a 7-4 run, including a win over UNC-Asheville.

Players to Watch:

• Denzel Bowles, JMU: Bowles, a transfer from Texas A&M, has all the talent in the world. He's an NBA player. That's why he can average 18.2 ppg and 9.0 rpg. But there are times when he just doesn't seem to care. Effort is the key with him.
  
• Chad Tomko, UNC-Wilmington: Tomko is a statsheet stuffer. a 5'11" senior, Tomko averages 17.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.9 spg, and hits 37.6% of his threes. He's not the carry-the-team-to-a-title kind of talent that Charles Jenkins is, but his game is worth the watch.
  

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Previewing the Madness: The Missouri Valley Tournament

The Valley didn't end up being quite as good as we expected it to be this season. If the league does end up getting two bids to the NCAA Tournament -- which is a longshot -- it won't be the result of either Missouri State or Wichita State playing their way in, it will be the two mid-majors reaping the benefits of some of the bigger schools losing too many meaningful games down the stretch.

While the quality of the teams in the league may be down from what we are used too, that doesn't mean it is any less balanced or exciting. While early surges by Northern Iowa and Indiana State faded down the stretch, MSU and WSU remained, battling it out on the last day of the regular season for the conference's regular season title. The Bears won, sweeping the Shockers and winning the championship just two years after finishing in last place.

Where: Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO

When: March 3rd-6th

Final: March 6th, 1:05 pm CBS


Favorites: Missouri State Bears

The Bears are an interesting team. They aren't deep, playing just a seven man rotation, but they are balanced and have weapons at every spot on the floor. MVC player of the year Kyle Weems leads the way. He's a versatile, 6'7" forward with three point range as well as the ability to score inside. He's joined up front by bruiser Will Creekmore and slashing small forward Jermaine Mallett. Adam Leonard is the sharp shooter on this team, while Nafis Ricks is the playmaker at the point. Cuonzo Martin has himself a balanced team with a lot of weapons.

• Other Contenders: The only other team you can really consider a contender is Wichita State, who I actually think is the best team in the Valley. The Shockers are your prototypical Valley team. They go 10 deep. They have a very balanced attack. They have some size, they have some shooters, and they defend. They aren't going to force you into many turnovers, but you aren't going to get many good looks or second shots. JT Durley heads up a quality front court, and while Toure' Murry has been a bit disappointing this season, David Kyles has developed into a solid weapon on the offensive end.
  

Sleeper: Indiana State Sycamores

Its not really a sleeper when you are the third team in the league, but given that the MVC is all of ten team deep, we'll allow it. The Sycamores come into Arch Madness on a five game winning streak in MVC play after starting out the year 7-1 with wins over Northern Iowa, Creighton, and Missouri State. They stumbled a bit in the middle of the season, but with starting forward Carl Richard scheduled to return, ISU has a shot at this. No Larry Bird.

• Deeper Sleeper: Creighton hasn't quite put it together this season, but they have an awesome front line. Doug McDermott, Harrison Barnes' high school teammate, has turned in a freshman campaign averaging 14.3 ppg and 7.6 rpg. Gregory Echenique, a Rutgers transfers, and Kenny Lawson round out the front line. The issue will be on the perimeter. Will Antoine Young get any help?
  

Players to Watch:

• Doug McDermott, Creighton: Interesting note about McDermott. He was supposed to go to UNI to play for Ben Jacobson, but when Gregg McDermott, Doug's father, went from Iowa State to Creighton, Doug followed him there.
  
• Colt Ryan, Evansville: Ryan has been awesome in relative anonymity for two seasons, but now that the Purple Aces have a shot to make some noise, Ryan deserves credit. He's third in the league in scoring and playing the best basketball of his life as he is coming off of a career-high 32 points on Saturday.
  

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Previewing the Madness: The Horizon League Tournament

There may not have been a more difficult league to figure out this season than the Horizon. Butler was the overwhelming favorite coming in, Cleveland State has the best player in the conference, but the No. 1 seed in the league tournament ended up going to a team that finished 5-7 in non-conference play with more than a couple of ugly losses.

Unless Butler can somehow manage to sneak in, the Horizon is a one-bid league this year. And while the overall level of basketball being played in the conference is pretty close to where it was last year -- with the obvious caveat that Butler is now merely mortal -- the competitiveness has gone no where. The leagues where upsets and unpredictability abound are always the best tournaments to watch.

Where: Campus sites

When: March 1st-8th

Final: March 8th, 9:00 pm ESPN


Favorites: Butler Bulldogs

They may be the No. 2 seed, but it is almost impossible to pick against Butler here. Let's ignore the obvious -- the core of this team made it to the NCAA Tournament title game last year -- because, well, that's obvious. Butler has the two best players in the league not named Norris Cole in Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard. They've won seven straight games coming in, which is why they were able to earn one of the Horizon's double byes despite starting out league play 6-5. An interesting storyline that could develop here is that Butler, who has played their way onto the bubble with this winning streak, seems for a quarterfinal matchup with Cleveland State and Norris Cole. Could that game end up being for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid?

• Other Contenders: Milwaukee struggled during the non-conference portion of their schedule and they lost some head-scratchers in league play, but the Panthers earned the No. 1 seed through a tiebreaker; they went 3-1 against Butler and Cleveland State this season. Cleveland State also has a shot at winning the tournament. The Vikings will go as far as Cole takes them, but getting some support from Trevon Harmon and Jeremy Montgomery will be the difference. Also keep an eye on No. 4 seed Valparaiso, who led the Horizon for much of the season before collapsing down the stretch.

Sleeper: Wright State Raiders

The Raiders stumbled down the stretch, losing their last four league games to finish tied for fifth place with Detroit. But this is a quality basketball team. They beat Oakland earlier this year and smacked Hofstra by 26 points in BracketBusters. They have a solid one-two punch in Vaughn Duggins and N'Gai Evans as well.

• Deeper Sleeper: Keep an eye on Detroit. They struggled throughout conference play, but there is definitely some talent on that roster, specifically freshman point guard Ray McCallum and big man Eli Holman.

Players to Watch:

• Norris Cole, Cleveland State: He had 41 points, 20 boards, and nine assists in a game earlier this year. He's one of two players in the country that averages 20 ppg, 5 rpg, and 5 apg. Yes, he is good enough to carry this team for a week, and yes, he is absolutely worth the watch.
• Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard, Butler: Mack has continued to play his steady, intelligent game while Howard has finally developed into the star that everyone expected him to be last season.
• Ray McCallum, Detroit: Its not often that McDonald's all-americans end up in the Horizon, but that is McCallum, who opted to play for his dad instead of his pick of high-major program. McCallum is averaging 13.5 ppg and 4.9 apg on the season.
  

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Conference Tournament Preview: The ACC

Where: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC

When: March 11th-14th

Final: 1:00 pm ESPN/Raycom




Favorite: Duke Blue Devils

Look, I love Maryland's team this season, but Duke is the best team in the conference. There are not many teams in the country, let alone the ACC, than can match the 1-2-3 punch the Devils have in Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer, and Nolan Smith. Scheyer and Singler are seniors and are/have been all-americans. Nolan Smith will likely be on a number of all-american lists next season. Hate them or love them, you cannot deny those three can hoop.

Nolan Smith could end up being an all-american next season.
(photo credit: XOS Sports)

Beyond that, Duke finally has some good big men. Brian Zoubek has come out of no where to be a force in the paint and on the offensive back boards. The Plumlees are as long and athletic as any Duke team in recent memory. Combine that with the watered down ACC and the tournament being played in North Carolina with UNC struggling, and Duke looks primed to make a run through the ACC.


And if they lose?: Maryland Terrapins

As I mentioned above, I love this Maryland team. Obviously, there's Greivis Vasquez, who has been phenomenal this season. But the Terps are much more than just a flamboyant Venezuelan. Eric Hayes has turned into quite the college player, the steadying force paired with Vasquez in the back court. Hayes is one of the smarter players in the ACC, and has become a knock down shooter. Sean Mosley and Landon Milbourne are undersized, but they are scrappy players that defend and play much bigger than their listed height. Cliff Tucker and Adrian Bowie are capable reserves that have saved the Terps on a couple occasions.

The key for Maryland is going to be the play of Jordan Williams and Dino Gregory, but I will get into that in a bit.


Don't count out/Sleepers: Well, everyone?

Part of the reason the ACC has been as fun to follow as it has this year is that the league is so wide open. Duke is the best, and Maryland isn't far behind, but after that there are five teams that are good enough to make a run to the ACC championship, but may also be in danger of playing their way out of the NCAA Tournament with a poor showing in Greensboro.


Clemson and Florida State are probably the two best in this group. Clemson had a hiccup midway through the conference season when Demontez Stitt injured his ankle, but with the PG healthy, the Tigers are back to full speed. At full speed, they are a tough team to matchup against. Clemson is so athletic and takes advantage of that in their press. When Booker is playing well and their threes are going down, this team can play with anyone.

What Florida State lacks in guard play, they make up for with sheer length, especially along their front line. The Seminoles are going to struggle to score at times as they don't really have any, well, scorers. But this is the best defensive team in the country according to Kenpom, using their length to make it difficult to get a clean look at the rim.


Wake Forest and Georgia Tech are the disappointing teams. Tech has collapsed, as Paul Hewitt teams usually do. There are few front lines better than what Georgia Tech has to offer, and Iman Shumpert is a talent at the point, but something is missing with this team. Be it leadership, be it decision making, and at times I'd even argue that its simply effort, but Georgia Tech just has not been the team many expected them to be. That said, if they can put it all together, who knows what could happen. Tech is in the worst spot in terms of an at-large bid and may want to win two games to feel safe.

Wake Forest is in a bit of the same boat. I can't figure this team out. Ishmael Smith is a player at the point. Al-Farouq Aminu is a lottery pick. They have shooters on the wing and size in the paint. They defend. But they lost four in a row before closing the ACC season with a win over Clemson. It will be interesting to see which Wake team shows up here. The Demon Deacons are probably safe, tournament wise, but may want to avoid a first round loss.

There may not be a better 1-on-1 player in the ACC than Delaney.
(photo credit: BIAH)

Virginia Tech is the x-factor. I don't think anyone has a feel for just how good this team is. Malcolm Delaney is a stud, Jeff Allen and Dorenzo Hudson are capable complimentary players, and they put together some nice wins the last month of the season. The problem is that the Hokies did a bunch of nothing before that, and lost to BC just three weeks ago. Tech should also avoid losing their first game if they want to feel safe next Sunday.

Names you need to know

• Jordan Williams and Dino Gregory, Maryland: That right there is all Maryland has in terms of big bodies. There are quite a few teams in this conference with big front lines. Both have played well in recent weeks, and it is not a coincidence that Maryland finished the season on a seven game winning streak. When these two play well, Maryland is at their best.


• Trevor Booker, Clemson: He's arguably the best all around big man in the conference this season. He can play on the perimeter or in the post, he's a 747 when he takes off at the rim, and he plays the point on their press. He is as valuable to his team's success as anyone in the league.
  


• Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest: Aminu is as talented as anyone in the conference, but he has a bad habit of disappearing during games. In Wake's 51-47 loss to Florida State, Aminu went scoreless in 28 minutes with just two shot attempts. That can't happen. When he is aggressive, Wake is a different team.
  

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Conference Tournament Preview: The Big 10

Where: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

When: March 11th-14th

Final: 3:30 pm CBS




Favorite: Ohio State Buckeyes

With Evan Turner in the lineup, the Buckeyes have been flat out the best team in the Big Ten. They are 21-4 on the season and 14-2 in conference play with him. The thing that makes Evan Turner so special as a player is how much better the rest of the team is when he's on the floor. Outside of Turner, there really is not another guy on this team that can create their own shot. Dallas Lauderdale is a solid big man, but his post game consists of the ability to catch the ball, then dunk the ball. Jon Diebler is a shooter, through and through. William Buford is a bit more of a slasher than Diebler, but he is still at his best when catching-and-shooting. If you look at the numbers those three put up, all were much better with Turner in the lineup.

Evan Turner is the best player in the country because of how good he makes his teammates.
(photo credit: ESPN)

If there is a knock on the Buckeyes, it is their depth. It is not uncommon to see Ohio State's four wing players -- Diebler, Buford, Turner, and David Lighty -- all play 40 minutes in a game. Playing three straight games, I question how well their legs are going to hold up.


And if they lose?: Michigan State Spartans and Wisconsin Badgers

Michigan State is a tough team to peg this season. There is no question that they have the talent -- Kalin Lucas, Raymar Morgan, Durrell Summers, Draymond Green, Chris Allen -- and I'm never one to count Tom Izzo out of any tournament game, but when you watch the Spartans play, you're left with a feeling that this team is underperforming. It hasn't just been of late either. Even when Sparty was undefeated in the Big Ten and cruising to what seemed like an inevitable league title, they didn't have that air of superiority that you would expect from MSU. Having said all of that, this team still finished 24-7 and tied for the Big Ten regular season title. There is as much, if not more, talent on this team than any other team in the conference, but I doubt I'm the only one playing the wait-and-see game with MSU.

Michigan State and Wisconsin both have a shot to win the Big 10 Tourney.
(photo credit: MLive)

Wisconsin is the opposite of Michigan State. No one really expected much from the Badgers, but as we've been doing for years, we all underestimated Bo Ryan. This team is no different than any Wisconsin team you have seen over the last decade. They defend. They execute in the half court. They hustle. With Jon Leuer back healthy and talents like Trevon Hughes and Jordan Taylor in the back court, would anyone be surprised if the Badgers made a fun to the title?


Don't count out: Purdue Boilermakers

It seems like everyone has written off Purdue. True, Robbie Hummel is injured. True, he is a huge part of what the Boilermakers do. But there is still a lot of experience on this team, and Matt Painter is an excellent coach. I know that Purdue's offense, as well as their rebounding, will take huge hits with the loss of Hummel, but the bottom line is that this team is still going to defend. They are still going to run their stuff in the half court. They still have E'Twuan Moore, JaJuan Johnson, Keaton Grant, and Chris Kramer. It will be difficult, obviously, but don't write Purdue off just yet.


Sleeper: Northwestern Wildcats

I know, I know, Northwestern didn't live up to the expectations many had for them early in the season. But I like the Wildcats draw. They get a first round game against an Indiana team that looks like they have packed it in for the year. Their second round game is against the depleted Boilermakers. If they make it that far, the Wildcats will likely get either Michigan State, who they beat last season, or Minnesota, who they beat this year. Long shot, but I think there's a chance here.


Names you need to know

• Demetri McCamey, Illinois: McCamey's role for the Illini is similar to that of his high school teammate, Evan Turner, for Ohio State. On the offensive end, everything runs through him. McCamey has been as good as anyone this season, averaging almost 15 and 7 assists per game. But the issue with McCamey is attitude. He clearly is not handling this losing streak (the Illini have lost five of six) well -- anyone that saw his minor blow up with Bruce Weber would agree. But Illinois likely needs to beat Wisconsin -- who just knocked off Illinois last week -- for a real shot at the dance. Which McCamey is going to show up?
• Keaton Grant, Purdue: Johnson, Moore, and Kramer are the guys that get the press for Purdue with Hummel gone. But Grant may be the most important. He is the guy that is going to be counted on for an increased scoring load in the wake of Hummel's injury. Grant is a senior that has averaged double figures in a season before, so clearly the talent and experience at there.
  
• Lawrence Westbrook, Minnesota: Believe it or not, the Golden Gophers still have a shot at an at-large bid. but they are likely going to need to get to at least the semifinals if they want a real shot. Westbrook is this team's best scorer, and while Minnesota runs a more balanced system than many teams, he has become the team's go-to scorer, especially in the clutch.
• John Shurna, Northwestern: Shurna has been the guy that has filled in for Kevin Coble with Coble's injury. He has been quite the pleasant surprise, averaging 18.5 ppg for the slow paced Wildcats. Northwestern will need a big performance out of Shurna if they want to make their first NCAA Tournament.
  

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Conference Tournament Preview: The SEC

Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

When: March 11th-14th

Final: 1:00 pm ABC




Favorite: Kentucky Wildcats

There shouldn't be any argument. John Wall. DeMarcus Cousins. Patrick Patterson. John Calipari. 29-2, 14-2. My work is done here. Moving on.


And if they lose?: Tennessee Volunteers

The Vols are an interesting team. For starters, there is the whole drugs-and-guns-in-a-rental-car story. Then there are the wins over two of the three No. 1 seeds in Kansas and Kentucky. But there are also the losses to Georgia and USC. This a tough team to figure out. What we do know is that Scotty Hopson is fast-developing into a certified star in the SEC. Wayne Chism has developed into one of the better low-post scorers in the SEC. Guys like Bobby Maze and JP Prince have stepped up their games in the absence of Tyler Smith, while the Tennessee bench -- full of walk-ons and freshman -- has been tremendous. It will be interesting to see which Tennessee team shows up.

Scotty Hopson is a blossoming star.
(photo credit: Go Vols Xtra)

The one difference with UT this season, however, has been that they are pressing a lot less and playing a more controlled game, especially on the defensive end of the floor. While they still run -- we aren't quite talking about Northern Iowa -- its just a different system than we have seen from the Vols the last few seasons.


Don't count out: Vanderbilt Commodores and Florida Gators

I like Vandy this season, and have all season long. This is an experienced group with a quality point guard in Jermaine Beal, good size and athleticism along their front line, a couple shooters around the perimeter, and one of the best coaches in the game in Kevin Stallings. They have quite a few good wins as well, picking up 12 RPI top 100 wins and sweeping Tennessee. The issue for Vanderbilt is consistency. Lets assume for a second that Illinois loses their opener to Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament and that Cincinnati doesn't make a run through the Big East. Neither of those are outlandish occurrences, and if that is how it plays out, then Vandy will have lost all but two of their games to teams outside the NCAA Tournament, with Kentcuky's sweep being the exception.


Sleeper: Florida Gators

Yes, the Gators are a sleeper in this league. Florida is very much in danger of missing the NCAA tournament this season after losing their last three games of the regular season. They have lost 11 games on the year, and while they do have three solid wins -- Michigan State, Florida State, Tennessee -- they have just as many questionable losses. Florida's issue is that they are a flawed team. They don't have a true point guard, and their big men are not all that strong in the paint. Having said all that, Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker can both shoot the ball very well, Chandler Parsons (and to a point Vernon Macklin as well) is starting to come into his own as a player, and the Gators got a good draw in the tournament. They get Auburn and Mississippi State in the first two rounds before potentially taking on Vandy, a team they played tough twice this season.


Names you need to know

• Devan Downey, South Carolina: We all saw the Kentucky game. We all know what the mighty mite is capable of when he gets hot.
  
• Jermaine Beal, Vanderbilt: There are so many good point guards in this conference - Downey, Wall, Courtney Fortson, Chris Warren. But despite all that talent, Beal may actually be the best of that group. A big, strong guy, he doesn't do anything spectacular, but he doesn't turn the ball over, he plays under control, and he's a knockdown shooter, especially in the clutch.
• Chris Warren and Terrico White, Ole Miss: The Rebels finished in second place in the SEC West, but the SEC West may as well be the Sun Belt conference this season. Of the Rebels nine conference wins, the only team they beat with a winning record overall (everyone had losing SEC marks) was Alabama at 16-14. While wins over K-State and UTEP are nice, that is it for Ole Miss. They have a nice draw to bolster their resume -- Tennessee and then Kentucky -- but that means they need to win those games.
  
• Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State: The Bulldogs struggled this season, losing five games to team with sub-100 RPI's and beating, well, Old Dominion. They have a lot of work to do if they are going to play their way into the NCAA Tournament. That takes nothing away from the player that Varnado is, however. The NCAA's leading career shot blocker, Varnado can change the feel on a game on the defensive end of the floor.
  

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