Monday, March 03, 2014

It's Championship Week!

The Madness is inching closer. Can you feel it?  John Calipari can.  He is already quitting on his team, making every excuse he can about why he is failing once again to win a national title with paid professionals.  40-0, huh Kentucky fans?  You get exactly what you deserve.

Hatred of Kentucky aside, today is the day March officially begins.  That's right, Championship Week is here.  Between today's first two match-ups in the first round of the Patriot League tournament and the final horn in the Big Ten Tournament championship game on Sunday March 16, 32 conference champions will be crowned (31 of them through conference tournaments), earning automatic bids to the greatest tournament in sports:  the NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament. 

These next two weeks are some of the most exciting in sports.  Championship Weeks is so much fun to watch, not only because of the drama associated with one-and-done tournaments, but also because for a lot of the smaller schools in one-bid conferences, making the NCAA Tournament is the pinnacle.  There is nothing like the pure joy you see when a low-major or mid-major team rushes the court after clinching an NCAA berth, or the heartbreak and tears on the opposite bench for the team knowing it just missed its only chance at the Big Dance.  And, of course, as the last five years have shown us –- with the likes of Butler, Gonzaga, VCU, Northern Iowa, Cornell, Wichita State, Richmond, Xavier, Ohio, Florida Gulf Coast, and LaSalle all making it to the Sweet Sixteen or beyond -- mid-majors and low-majors should not be overlooked in the NCAA Tournament.

This year will be a little strange, as conference realignments have both created a new conference (AAC) and created some new faces in many other conferences.  It will be weird not seeing Syracuse and UConn playing in the Big East Tournament.

Over the next two weeks, I will be making Championship Week predictions as conference tournaments begin and/or are seeded.  Thus far, 13 conferences have ended their regular seasons and set their conference tournament brackets.  I'll try to update it daily, which may be difficult later next week with the birth of my third child expected –- not that that will stop me.  After all, I'll have nothing else to do.

The first bids to be clinched will be this weekend:
-Ivy League:  March 7 or 8 (if Harvard wins one more game or Yale loses one more game, Harvard clinches)
-Ohio Valley:  March 8
-Atlantic Sun:  March 9
-Big South:  March 9
-Missouri Valley:  March 9

With that, here are the tournaments starting today, the tournaments with games today, bids up for grab today, who has already clinched an automatic berth, and my predictions for the remaining conference tournaments. 

Tournaments starting today:
-Patriot League

Tournaments with games today:
-Patriot League

Bids up for grabs today:
-None

Already clinched automatic berths (I will add in parentheses the NCAA tournament appearances, including the bid just clinched):
-None

Because I am unhealthily obsessed with college basketball in March –- to the detriment of my marriage, sleep schedule, and wallet -- I have not only listed out every game and my predictions, but the date, time, and TV station(s) on which the game will appear, even if it's just local, regional, or online, to the extent that information is available.  Some conference tournament websites are better than others.  I want this to be as comprehensive as possible, so that you can always come here to figure out when any team is playing.  Call me Doctor Madness.  Or don't.  Whatever your preference.

Remaining Tournaments (all times are Eastern; to the extent there are teams that have clinched seeds in tournament fields that are not completely set, I will put those in):

AAC (March 12-15; Memphis)
3/12 – First Round
7 p.m. (ESPNU) (8) vs. (9)
9 p.m. (ESPNU) (7) vs. (10)
3/13 - Quarterfinals
1 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) vs. (8)/(9)
3 p.m. (ESPNU) (4) vs. (5)
7 p.m. (ESPNU) (3) vs. (6)
9 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) vs. (7)/(10)
3/14 - Semifinals
7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)
9 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)
3/15 - Finals
6 p.m. (ESPN)
Predicted winner:  Louisville

ACC (March 12-16; Greensboro)
3/12 – First Round
1 p.m. (ESPNU) (12) vs. (13)
3:30 p.m. (ESPNU) (10) vs. (15) Virginia Tech
7 p.m. (ESPNU) (11) vs. (14)
3/13 – Second Round
12 p.m. (ESPNU) (8) vs. (9)
2 p.m. (ESPNU) (5) vs. (12)/(13)
7 p.m. (ESPNU) (7) vs. (10)/(15)
9 p.m. (ESPNU) (6) vs. (11)/(14)
3/14 - Quarterfinals
12 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Virginia vs. (8)/(9)
2 p.m. (ESPN2) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)
7 p.m. (ESPN2) (2) vs. (7)/(10)/(15)
9 p.m. (ESPN2) (3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14)
3/15 - Semifinals
1 p.m. (ESPN)
3 p.m. (ESPN)
3/16 - Finals
1 p.m. (ESPN)
Predicted winner:  Virginia

America East (March 8-9, 15; Albany, then the highest remaining seed hosts final)
3/8 - Quarterfinals
12 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Vermont vs. (8) New Hampshire.  Winner:  Vermont
2:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (4) Albany vs. (5) UMBC.  Winner:  Albany
6 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) Stony Brook vs. (7) Maine.  Winner:  Stony Brook
8:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (3) Hartford vs. (6) Binghamton.  Winner:  Hartford
3/9 - Semifinals
5 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Vermont vs. (4) Albany.  Winner:  Vermont
7:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) Stony Brook vs. (3) Hartford.  Winner:  Stony Brook
3/15 - Finals
11:30 a.m. (ESPN2) (2) Stony Brook at (1) Vermont.  Winner:  Vermont

Atlantic 10 (March 12-16; Brooklyn)
3/12 – First Round
7 p.m. (TBD) (12) vs. (13)
3/13 – Second Round
12 p.m. (CSN Philadelphia, CSN Mid-Atlantic, SNY, CSN New England, CSN Northwest, TCN Pittsburgh) (8) vs. (9)
2:30 p.m. (NBC Sports) (5) vs. (12)/(13)
6:30 p.m. (NBC Sports) (7) vs. (10)
9 p.m. (CSN Philadelphia, CSN Mid-Atlantic, SNY, CSN New England, CSN Northwest, TCN Pittsburgh) (6) vs. (11)
3/14 - Quarterfinals
12 p.m. (NBC Sports) (1) vs. (8)/(9)
2 p.m. (NBC Sports) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)
6:30 p.m. (NBC Sports) (2) vs. (7)/(10)
9 p.m. (NBC Sports) (3) vs. (6)/(11)
3/15 - Semifinals
1:30 p.m. (CBS Sports)
4 p.m. (CBS Sports)
3/16 - Finals
1 p.m. (CBS)
Predicted winner:  St. Louis

Atlantic Sun (March 4, 6, 9; campus of higher seed)
3/4 - Quarterfinals
7 p.m. (ESPN3) (8) Stetson at (1) Florida Gulf Coast.  Winner:  Florida Gulf Coast
7 p.m. (ASun.TV) (5) Lipscomb at (4) ETSU.  Winner:  ETSU
7 p.m. (ESPN3) (6) North Florida at (3) USC Upstate.  Winner:  North Florida
7 p.m. (ESPN3) (7) Jacksonville at (2) Mercer.  Winner:  Mercer
3/6 - Semifinals
6:30 p.m. (ESPN3; Charter Sports Southeast) (4) ETSU at (1) Florida Gulf Coast.  Winner:  Florida Gulf Coast
8:30 p.m. (ESPN3; Charter Sports Southeast) (6) North Florida at (2) Mercer.  Winner:  Mercer
3/9 - Finals
2 p.m. (ESPN2) (2) Mercer at (1) Florida Gulf Coast.  Winner:  Mercer

Big 12 (March 12-15; Kansas City)
3/12 – First Round
7 p.m. (Big 12 Network) (8) vs. (9)
9:30 p.m. (Big 12 Network) (7) vs. (10) TCU
3/13 - Quarterfinals
12:30 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Kansas vs. (8)/(9)
3 p.m. (ESPNU) (4) vs. (5)
7 p.m. (Big 12 Network) (3) vs. (6)
9:30 p.m. (Big 12 Network) (2) vs. (7)/(10)
3/14 - Semifinals
7 p.m. (Big 12 Network/ESPNU)
9:30 p.m. (Big 12 Network/ESPNU)
3/15 - Finals
9 p.m. (ESPN)
Predicted winner:  Kansas

Big East (March 12-15; New York)
3/12 – First Round
7 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (8) vs. (9)
9:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (7) vs. (10)
3/13 - Quarterfinals
1 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (1) vs. (8)/(9)
3:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (4) vs. (5)
7 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (3) vs. (6)
9:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (2) vs. (7)/(10)
3/14 - Semifinals
7 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
9:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
3/15 - Finals
8:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Predicted winner:  Villanova

Big Sky (March 13-15; Ogden, UT)
3/13 - Quarterfinals
4:05 p.m. (TBD) (2) vs. (7)/(10)
6:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (3) vs. (6)
9 p.m. (TBD) (4) vs. (5)
3/14 - Semifinals
6:30 p.m. (TBD) highest remaining seed vs. second-highest remaining seed
9:30 p.m. (TBD) lowest remaining seed at (1) Weber State
3/15 - Finals
8 p.m. (ESPNU)
Predicted winner:  Weber State

Big South (March 5, 7-9; Conway, SC)
3/5 – First Round
12 p.m. (Big South Network) (4S) Winthrop vs. (5N) Liberty.  Winner:  Winthrop
2 p.m. (Big South Network) (3N) Radford vs. (6S) Presbyterian.  Winner:  Radford
6 p.m. (Big South Network) (4N) Campbell vs. (5S) Charleston Southern.  Winner:  Campbell
8 p.m. (Big South Network) (3S) Garnder-Webb vs. (6N) Longwood. Winner:  Gardner-Webb
3/7 - Quarterfinals
12 p.m. (ESPN3) (1N) High Point vs. (4S) Winthrop.  Winner:  High Point
2 p.m. (ESPN3) (2S) UNC-Asheville vs. (3N) Radford.  Winner:  Radford
6 p.m. (ESPN3) (1S) Coastal Carolina vs. (4N) Campbell.  Winner:  Coastal Carolina
8 p.m. (ESPN3) (2N) VMI vs. (3S) Gardner-Webb.  Winner:  VMI
3/8 - Semifinals
12 p.m. (ESPN3) (1N) High Point vs. (3N) Radford.  Winner:  Radford
2 p.m. (ESPN3) (1S) Coastal Carolina vs. (2N) VMI.  Winner:  VMI
3/9 - Finals
12 p.m. (ESPN2) (3N) Radford vs. (2N) VMI.  Winner:  VMI

Big Ten (March 13-16; Indianapolis)
3/13 – First Round
12 p.m. (BTN) (8) vs. (9)
2:30 p.m. (BTN) (5) vs. (12)
6:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (7) vs. (10)
9 p.m. (ESPN2) (6) vs. (11)
3/14 - Quarterfinals
12 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (1) vs. (8)/(9)
2:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (4) vs. (5)/(12)
6:30 p.m. (BTN) (2) vs. (7)/(10)
9 p.m. (BTN) (3) vs. (6)/(11)
3/15 - Semifinals
1:40 p.m. (CBS)
4 p.m. (CBS)
3/16 - Finals
3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Predicted winner:  Indiana

Big West (March 13-15; Anaheim)
3/13 - Quarterfinals
3 p.m. (Fox Prime Ticket) (1) vs. (8)
5:30 p.m. (Fox Prime Ticket) (4) vs. (5)
9 p.m. (Fox Prime Ticket) (3) vs. (6)
11:30 p.m. (Fox Prime Ticket) (2) vs. (7)
3/14 - Semifinals
9:30 p.m. (ESPN3) highest remaining seed vs. lowest remaining seed
11:59 p.m. (ESPNU) other two quarterfinal winners
3/15 - Finals
10:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Predicted winner:  UC Santa Barbara

CAA (March 7-10; Baltimore)
3/7 – First Round
7 p.m. (CAA.TV) (8) Hofstra vs. (9) UNC Wilmington.  Winner:  Hofstra
3/13 - Quarterfinals
12 p.m. (Comcast SportsNet) (1) Delaware vs. (8) Hofstra.  Winner:  Delaware
2:30 p.m. (Comcast SportsNet) (4) Drexel vs. (5) Northeastern.  Winner:  Drexel
6 p.m. (Comcast SportsNet) (2) Towson vs. (7) James Madison.  Winner:  Towson
8:30 p.m. (Comcast SportsNet) (3) William and Mary vs. (6) Charleston.  Winner:  William and Mary
3/14 - Semifinals
2:30 p.m. (NBC Sports) (1) Delaware vs. (4) Drexel.  Winner:  Delaware
5 p.m. (NBC Sports) (2) Towson vs. (3) William and Mary.  Winner:  Towson
3/15 - Finals
7 p.m. (NBC Sports) (1) Delaware vs. (2) Towson.  Winner:  Delaware

Conference USA (March 11-15; El Paso)
3/11 – First Round
5:30 p.m. (C-USA DN) (12) vs. (13)
8 p.m. (C-USA DN) (10) vs. (15)
10:30 p.m. (C-USA DN) (11) vs. (14)
3/12 – Second Round
2 p.m. (C-USA DN) (8) vs. (9)
4:30 p.m. (C-USA DN) (5) vs. (12)/(13)
8 p.m. (C-USA DN) (7) vs. (10)/(15)
10:30 p.m. (C-USA DN) (6) vs. (11)/(14)
3/13 - Quarterfinals
2 p.m. (C-USA DN) (1) vs. (8)/(9)
4:30 p.m. (C-USA DN) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)
8 p.m. (C-USA DN) (2) vs. (7)/(10)/(15)
10:30 p.m. (C-USA DN) (3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14)
3/14 - Semifinals
4 p.m. (CBS Sports)
6:30 p.m. (CBS Sports)
3/15 - Finals
11:30 a.m. (CBS)
Predicted winner:  Louisiana Tech

Horizon (March 4, 7-8, 11; campus of higher seed for first round, Green Bay, WI for second round and semifinals, then campus of higher seed for championship)
3/4 – First Round
7 p.m. (HorizonLeague.com) (9) Illinois-Chicago at (4) Valparaiso.  Winner:  Valparaiso
7 p.m. (HorizonLeague.com) (8) Detroit at (5) UW Milwaukee.  Winner:  Milwaukee
8:05 p.m. (HorizonLeague.com) (7) Youngstown State at (6) Oakland.  Winner:  Oakland
3/7 – Second Round
7 p.m. (Horizon League Network) (3) Wright State vs. (6) Oakland.  Winner:  Wright State
9:30 p.m. (Horizon League Network) (4) Valparaiso vs. (5) Milwaukee.  Winner:  Valparaiso
3/8 - Semifinals
7 p.m. (Horizon League Network) (2) Cleveland State vs. (3) Wright State.  Winner:  Cleveland State
9:30 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Green Bay vs. (4) Valparaiso.  Winner:  Green Bay
3/11 - Finals
7 p.m. (ESPN) (2) Cleveland State at (1) Green Bay.  Winner:  Green Bay

MAAC (March 7-10; Springfield, MA)
3/7 – First Round
5 p.m. (8) Rider vs. (9) Monmouth.  Winner:  Rider
7 p.m. (7) St. Peter's vs. (10) Fairfield.  Winner:  Fairfield
9 p.m. (6) Marist vs. (11) Niagara.  Winner:  Marist
3/8 - Quarterfinals
12 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Iona vs. (8) Rider.  Winner:  Iona
2:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (4) Canisius vs. (5) Siena.  Winner:  Canisius
6:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) Manhattan vs. (10) Fairfield.  Winner:  Manhattan
9 p.m. (ESPN3) (3) Quinnipiac vs. (6) Marist.  Winner:  Quinnipiac
3/9 - Semifinals
4:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Iona vs. (4) Canisius.  Winner:  Iona
7 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) Manhattan vs. (3) Quinnipiac.  Winner:  Manhattan
3/10 - Finals
7 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Iona vs. (2) Manhattan.  Winner:  Iona

MAC (March 10, 12-15; first round at campus sites of higher seed; remaining rounds in Cleveland)
3/10 – First Round
TBD (12) at (5)
TBD (9) at (8)
TBD (10) at (7)
TBD (11) at (6)
3/12 – Second Round
6:30 p.m. (Time Warner Cable Sports Channel Ohio) (5)/(12) vs. (8)/(9)
9 p.m. (Time Warner Cable Sports Channel Ohio) (7)/(10) vs. (6)/(11)
3/13 – Third Round
6:30 p.m. (Time Warner Cable Sports Channel Ohio) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(8)/(9)
9 p.m. (Time Warner Cable Sports Channel Ohio) (3) vs. (7)/(10)/(6)/(11)
3/14 - Semifinals
6:30 p.m. (Time Warner Cable Sports Channel Ohio) (1) vs. (4)/(5)/(12)/(8)/(9)
9 p.m. (Time Warner Cable Sports Channel Ohio) (2) vs. (3)/(7)/(10)/(6)/(11)
3/15 - Finals
6:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Predicted winner:  Toledo

MEAC (March 10-15; Norfolk, VA)
First Round
3/10
6:30 p.m. (4) vs. (13)
9:00 p.m. (5) vs. (12)
3/11
4:00 p.m. (8) vs. (9)
6:30 p.m. (7) vs. (10)
9:00 p.m. (6) vs. (11)
Quarterfinals
3/12
6:00 p.m. (1) vs. (8)/(9)
8:00 p.m. (2) vs. (7)/(10)
3/13
6:00 p.m. (3) vs. (6)/(11)
8:00 p.m. (4)/(13) vs. (5)/(12)
3/14 – Semifinals
6:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
3/15 – Final
6:00 p.m. (ESPNU)
Predicted winner:  North Carolina Central

Missouri Valley (March 6-9; St. Louis)
3/6 – First Round
7:05 p.m. (MVC TV) (8) Drake vs. (9) Evansville.  Winner:  Evansville
9:35 p.m. (MVC TV) (7) Bradley vs. (10) Loyola Chicago.  Winner:  Bradley
3/7 - Quarterfinals
1:05 p.m. (MVC TV) (1) Wichita State vs. (9) Evansville.  Winner:  Wichita State
3:35 p.m. (MVC TV) (4) Missouri State vs. (5) Illinois State.  Winner:  Illinois State
7:05 p.m. (MVC TV) (2) Indiana State vs. (7) Bradley.  Winner:  Indiana State
9:35 p.m. (MVC TV) (3) Northern Iowa vs. (6) Southern Illinois.  Winner:  Northern Iowa
3/8 - Semifinals
2:35 p.m. (MVC TV) (1) Wichita State vs. (5) Illinois State.  Winner:  Wichita State
5:05 p.m. (MVC TV) (2) Indiana State vs. (3) Northern Iowa.  Winner:  Indiana State
3/9 - Finals
2:05 p.m. (CBS) (1) Wichita State vs. (2) Indiana State.  Winner:  Wichita State

Mountain West (March 12-15; Las Vegas)
3/12 – First Round
5 p.m. (Mountain West Network) (8) vs. (9)
7:30 p.m. (Mountain West Network) (7) vs. (10)
10:00 p.m. (Mountain West Network) (6) vs. (11) San Jose State
3/13 – Quarterfinals
3 p.m. (CBS Sports) (1) vs. (8)/(9)
5:30 p.m. (CBS Sports) (4) vs. (5)
9 p.m. (CBS Sports) (2) vs. (7)/(10)
11:30 p.m. (CBS Sports) (3) vs. (6)/(11)
3/14 – Semifinals
9 p.m. (CBS Sports)
11:30 p.m. (CBS Sports)
3/15 – Finals
6 p.m. (CBS)
Predicted winner:  San Diego State

Northeast Conference (March 5, 8, 11; campus of higher seed)
3/5 - Quarterfinals
7 p.m. (NEC Front Row) (8) Farleigh Dickinson at (1) Robert Morris.  Winner:  Robert Morris
7 p.m. (NEC Front Row) (7) Central Connecticut at (2) Wagner.  Winner:  Wagner
7 p.m. (NEC Front Row) (6) St. Francis (PA) at (3) Bryant.  Winner:  Bryant
7 p.m. (MSG+2, Fox College Sports, Root Pittsburgh, NEC Front Row) (5) St. Francis Brooklyn at (4) Mt. St. Mary's.  Winner:  St. Francis Brooklyn
3/8 - Semifinals
12 p.m. (MSG+2, Fox College Sports) (5) St. Francis Brooklyn at Robert Morris.  Winner:  Robert Morris
2 p.m. (MSG+2, Fox College Sports) (3) Bryant at (2) Wagner.  Winner:  Wagner
3/11 - Finals
7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (2) Wagner at (1) Robert Morris.  Winner:  Robert Morris

Ohio Valley (March 5-8; Nashville)
3/5 – First Round
7 p.m. (OVCDN) (5) Tennessee Tech vs. (8) SIU Edwardsville.  Winner:  Tennessee Tech
9 p.m. (OVCDN) (6) Southeast Missouri vs. (7) Eastern Illinois.  Winner:  Eastern Illinois
3/6 – Second Round
7 p.m. (OVCDN) (4) Morehead State vs. (5) Tennessee Tech.  Winner:  Morehead State
9 p.m. (OVCDN) (3) Eastern Kentucky vs. (7) Eastern Illinois.  Winner:  Eastern Kentucky
3/7 - Semifinals
7:30 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Belmont vs. (4) Morehead State.  Winner:  Belmont
10 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) Murray State vs. (3) Eastern Kentucky.  Winner:  Murray State
3/8 - Finals
7 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Belmont vs. (2) Murray State.  Winner:  Belmont

Pac-12 (March 12-15; Las Vegas)
3/12 – First Round
3 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (8) vs. (9)
5:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (5) vs. (12)
9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (7) vs. (10)
11:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (6) vs. (11)
3/13 – Quarterfinals
3 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (1) Arizona vs. (8)/(9)
5:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (4) vs. (5)/(12)
9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (2) vs. (7)/(10)
11:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (3) vs. (6)/(11)
3/14 – Semifinals
9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
11:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
3/15 – Finals
6 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Predicted winner:  Arizona

Patriot League (March 3, 5, 8, 12; campus of higher seed)
3/3 – First Round
7 p.m. (Patriot League Network) (10) Navy at (7) Colgate.  Winner:  Colgate
7:30 p.m. (Patriot League Network) (9) Lafayette at (8) Loyola-Maryland.  Winner:  Loyola-Maryland
3/5 – Quarterfinals
7 p.m. (Patriot League Network) (8) Loyola-Maryland at (1) Boston University.  Winner:  Boston University
7 p.m. (Patriot League Network) (5) Army at (4) Bucknell.  Winner:  Bucknell
7:30 p.m. (Patriot League Network) (7) Colgate at (2) American.  Winner:  American
7:30 p.m. (Patriot League Network) (6) Lehigh at (3) Holy Cross.  Winner:  Holy Cross
3/8 – Semifinals
3:30 p.m. (CBS Sports) (4) Bucknell at (1) Boston University.  Winner:  Boston University
5:30 p.m. (CBS Sports) (3) Holy Cross at (2) American.  Winner:  American
3/12 – Finals
7:30 p.m. (CBS Sports) (2) American at (1) Boston University.  Winner:  Boston University

SEC (March 12-16; Atlanta)
3/12 – First Round
7 p.m. (SEC TV) (12) vs. (13)
9 p.m. (SEC TV) (11) vs. (14)
3/13 – Second Round
1 p.m. (SEC TV) (8) vs. (9)
3 p.m. (SEC TV) (5) vs. (12)/(13)
7 p.m. (SEC TV) (7) vs. (10
9 p.m. (SEC TV) (6) vs. (11)/(14)
3/14 - Quarterfinals
1 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Florida vs. (8)/(9)
3 p.m. (ESPNU) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)
7 p.m. (SEC TV) (2) vs. (7)/(10)
9 p.m. (SEC TV) (3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14)
3/15 - Semifinals
1 p.m. (ABC)
3 p.m. (ABC)
3/16 - Finals
3:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Predicted winner:  Florida

Southern Conference (March 7-10; Asheville, NC)
3/7 – First Round
11 a.m. (ESPN3) (8) Samford vs. (9) Appalachian State.  Winner:  Samford
1:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (7) Georgia Southern vs. (10) Furman.  Winner:  Georgia Southern
4 p.m. (ESPN3) (6) UNC Greensboro vs. (11) Citadel.  Winner:  UNC Greensboro
3/8 - Quarterfinals
12 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Davidson vs. (8) Samford.  Winner:  Davidson
2:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (4) Elon vs. (5) Western Carolina.  Winner:  Elon
6 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) Chattanooga vs. (7) Georgia Southern.  Winner:  Chattanooga
8:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (3) Wofford vs. (6) UNC Greensboro.  Winner:  Wofford
3/9 - Semifinals
6 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Davidson vs. (4) Elon.  Winner:  Davidson
8:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) Chattanooga vs. (3) Wofford.  Winner:  Chattanooga
3/10 - Finals
9 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Davidson vs. (2) Chattanooga.  Winner:  Chattanooga

Southland (March 12-15; Katy, TX)
3/12 – First Round
6 p.m. (SLCDN) (5) vs. (8)
8:30 p.m. (SLCDN) (6) vs. (7)
3/13 – Second Round
6 p.m. (SLCDN) (4) vs. (5)/(8)
8:30 p.m. (SLCDN) (3) vs. (6)/(7)
3/14 – Semifinals
6 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Stephen F. Austin vs. (4)/(5)/(8)
8:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) vs. (3)/(6)/(7)
3/15 – Finals
8:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Predicted winner:  Stephen F. Austin

Summit (March 8-11; Sioux Falls, SD)
Quarterfinals
3/8
7 p.m. (MidcoSN/Fox College Sports) (2) IPFW vs. (7) IUPUI.  Winner:  IPFW
3/9
7 p.m. (MidcoSN/Fox College Sports) (4) Denver vs. (5) South Dakota.  Winner:  Denver
9:30 p.m. (MidcoSN/Fox College Sports) (3) South Dakota State vs. (6) Western Illinois.  Winner:  South Dakota State
3/11 – Semifinals
7 p.m. (MidcoSN/Fox College Sports) (1) North Dakota State vs. (4) Denver.  Winner:  North Dakota State
9:30 p.m. (MidcoSN/Fox College Sports) (2) IPFW vs. (3) South Dakota State.  Winner:  IPFW
3/12 – Finals
9 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) North Dakota State vs. (2) IPFW.  Winner:  IPFW

Sun Belt (March 13-16; New Orleans)
3/13 – First Round
7 p.m. (Sun Belt Network) (5) vs. (8)
9:30 p.m. (Sun Belt Network) (6) vs. (7)
3/14 – Second Round
7 p.m. (Sun Belt Network) (4) vs. (5)/(8)
9:30 p.m. (Sun Belt Network) (3) vs. (6)/(7)
3/15 – Semifinals
3 p.m. (Sun Belt Network) (1) Georgia State vs. (4)/(5)/(8)
5:30 p.m. (Sun Belt Network) (2) vs. (3)/(6)/(7)
3/16 – Finals
1 p.m. (ESPN2)
Predicted winner:  Georgia State

SWAC (March 11-15; Houston)
3/11 – First Round
1:30 p.m. (7) vs. (10)
9 p.m. (8) vs. (9)
Quarterfinals
3/12
1:30 p.m. (2) vs. (7)/(10)
9 p.m. (1) Southern vs. (8)/(9)
3/13
1:30 p.m. (3) vs. (6)
9 p.m. (4) vs. (5)
3/14 - Semifinals
3:30 p.m.
9:30 p.m.
3/15 - Finals
4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Predicted winner:  Texas Southern*
*Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grambling, Mississippi Valley State, and Southern are ineligible to compete in the NCAA Tournament for failing to meet the NCAA's APR requirements, but they are allowed to participate in the SWAC Tournament.  If one of the ineligible teams wins the tournament, the team among the six eligible teams that advances the furthest in the tournament will receive the conference's NCAA tournament bid.  If there is a tie (for example, all remaining tournament-eligible teams are eliminated in the same round), the automatic berth will go to the highest-seeded team.

WAC (March 13-15; Las Vegas)
3/13 – Quarterfinals
3 p.m. (1) Utah Valley vs. (8)
5:30 p.m. (4) vs. (5)
9 p.m. (3) vs. (6)
11:30 p.m. (2) New Mexico State vs. (7)
3/14 – Semifinals
9 p.m.
11:30 p.m.
3/15 – Finals
10 p.m. (ESPNU)
Predicted winner:  New Mexico State

West Coast (March 6, 8, 10-11; Las Vegas)
3/6 – First Round
9 p.m. (BYUtv) (7) Portland vs. (10) Loyola Marymount.  Winner:  Portland
11 p.m. (BYUtv) (8) Pacific vs. (9) Santa Clara.  Winner:  Pacific
3/8 - Quarterfinals
3 p.m. (BYUtv) (3) San Francisco vs. (6) San Diego.  Winner:  San Francisco
5 p.m. (BYUtv) (2) BYU vs. (7) Portland.  Winner:  BYU
9 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Gonzaga vs. (8) Pacific.  Winner:  Gonzaga
11 p.m. (ESPN2) (4) St. Mary's vs. (5) Pepperdine.  Winner:  St. Mary's
3/10 - Semifinals
9 p.m. (ESPN) (2) BYU vs. (3) San Francisco.  Winner:  San Francisco
11 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Gonzaga vs. (4) St. Mary's.  Winner:  Gonzaga
3/11 - Finals

9 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Gonzaga vs. (3) San Francisco.  Winner:  Gonzaga

No comments: