Updated Championship Week Predictions

We have our first major upset.  In the Big South, the 9-seed Longwood Lancers –- a team that until yesterday had beaten only one team with a winning record all season –- upset 1-seed Charleston Southern, who becomes the first 1-seed to lose this Championship Week.  And as if that wasn't enough, 2-seed High Point went down to Gardner-Webb later in the night.  The 3-seed Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina are the only one of the top four seeds still alive.  I wrote that sentence so that I could write the word "Chanticleers."

The OVC semis featured two really good games, both of which I watched.  In the first game, 1-seed overcame an 11-point deficit with less than seven minutes left to beat 4-seed Morehead State.  In the second semi, 3-seed Belmont edged 2-seed Eastern Kentucky, 53-52.  They meet in the final today to punch the first ticket to this years NCAA Tournament.

In the Ivy League, Yale beat Harvard, which means Yale can clinch their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1962 with a win over Dartmouth tonight.  If Yale loses and Harvard wins, there will be a one-game playoff between the two for the Ivy League championship.

 

The Summit League is the only tournament starting today, but that conference tournament has proven to be pretty exciting over the last couple seasons.

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:

-Summit League

Tournaments with games today:

-Big South

-Colonial

-Horizon

-MAAC

-Missouri Valley

-NEC

-Ohio Valley

-Southern Conference

-Summit League

-West Coast Conference

Bids up for grabs today:

-Ivy League, maybe (see above).

-Ohio Valley:  (1) Murray State vs. (3) Belmont (7:00 p.m.; ESPN2)

Already clinched automatic berths (I will add in parentheses the NCAA tournament appearances, including the bid just clinched):

-None

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; Hartford)

3/12 – First Round

3:30 p.m. (ESPNU) (8) vs. (9)

6 p.m. (ESPNews) (7) vs. (10)

8 p.m. (ESPNews) (6) vs. (11)

3/13 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

2 p.m. (ESPN2) (4) vs. (5)

7 p.m. (ESPNU) (3) vs. (6)

9 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

3/14 – Semifinals

3 p.m. (ESPN2)

5 p.m. (ESPN2)

3/15 – Finals

3:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Predicted winner:  SMU

ACC (March 10-14; Greensboro)

3/10 – First Round

1 p.m. (ESPN2) (12) Wake Forest vs. (13)

3 p.m. (ESPN2) (11) vs. (14)

3/11 – Second Round

12 p.m. (ESPN) (8) vs. (9)

2 p.m. (ESPN) (5) vs. (12)/(13)

7 p.m. (ESPN2) (7) vs. (10)

9 p.m. (ESPN2) (6) vs. (11)/(14)

3/12 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (1) Virginia vs. (8)/(9)

2 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)

7 p.m. (ESPN) (2) Duke vs. (7)/(10)

9 p.m. (ESPN) (3) Notre Dame vs. (6)/(11)/(14)

3/15 – Semifinals

7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

9 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

3/16 – Finals

8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Predicted winner:  Virginia

America East (March 4, 8, 14; campus of higher seeds)

3/8 – Semifinals

1 p.m. (ESPN3) (3) Stony Brook at (2) Vermont.  Predicted winner:  Stony Brook

2 p.m. (ESPN3) (4) New Hampshire at (1) Albany.  Predicted winner:  Albany

3/14 – Finals

11:30 a.m. (ESPN2) (3) Stony Brook at (1) Albany.  Predicted winner:  Albany

Atlantic 10 (March 11-15; Brooklyn)

3/11 – First Round

6:30 p.m. (A-10 Network) (12) vs. (13)

9 p.m. (A-10 Network) (11) vs. (14) St. Louis

3/12 – Second Round

12 p.m. (NBCSN) (8) vs. (9)

2:30 p.m. (NBCSN) (5) vs. (12)/(13)

6:30 p.m. (NBCSN) (7) vs. (10)

9 p.m. (NBCSN) (6) vs. (11)/(14)

3/13 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (NBCSN) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

2 p.m. (NBCSN) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)

6:30 p.m. (NBCSN) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

9 p.m. (NBCSN) (3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14)

3/14 – Semifinals

1:30 p.m. (CBSSN)

4 p.m. (CBSSN)

3/15 – Finals

1 p.m. (CBS)

Predicted winner:  VCU

Atlantic Sun (March 3, 5, 8; campus of higher seed)

3/8 – Finals

2 p.m. (ESPN2) (3) South Carolina Upstate at (1) North Florida.  Predicted winner:  North Florida

Big 12 (March 11-14; Kansas City)

3/11 – First Round

7 p.m. (ESPNU) (8) vs. (9) TCU

9 p.m. (ESPNU) (7) vs. (10) Texas Tech

3/12 – Quarterfinals

12:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (4) vs. (5)

3 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Kansas vs. (8)/(9)

7 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

9:30 p.m. (ESPNU) (3) vs. (6)

3/14 – Semifinals

7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

9 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

3/15 – Finals

6 p.m. (ESPN)

Predicted winner:  Kansas

Big East (March 11-14; New York)

3/11 – First Round

7 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (8) vs. (9)

9 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (7) vs. (10)

3/12 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (1) Villanova vs. (8)/(9)

2:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (4) vs. (5)

7 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

9 p.m. (Fox Sports 1) (3) vs. (6) Xavier

3/13 – Semifinals

7 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

9 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

3/14 – Finals

8:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

Predicted winner:  Butler

Big Sky (March 12-14; hosted by regular season champion)

3/13 – Quarterfinals

TBD (TBD) (2) vs. (7)

TBD (TBD) (3) vs. (6)

TBD (TBD) (4) vs. (5)

TBD (TBD) (1) vs. (8)

3/14 – Semifinals

TBD (TBD)

TBD (TBD)

3/15 – Finals

9 p.m. (ESPNU)

Predicted winner:  Eastern Washington

Big South (March 4, 6-8; Conway, SC)

3/7 – Semifinals

12 p.m. (ESPN3) (9) Longwood vs. (5) Winthrop.  Predicted winner:  Winthrop

2 p.m. (ESPN3) (7) Gardner-Webb vs. (3) Coastal Carolina.  Predicted winner:  Coastal Carolina

3/8 – Finals

12:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (3) Coastal Carolina vs. (5) Winthrop.  Predicted winner:  Coastal Carolina

Big Ten (March 11-15; Chicago)

3/11 – First Round

4:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (12) vs. (13)

7 p.m. (BTN) (11) vs. (14)

3/12 – Second Round

12 p.m. (BTN) (8) vs. (9)

2:30 p.m. (BTN) (5) vs. (12)/(13)

6:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (7) vs. (10)

9 p.m. (ESPN2) (6) vs. (11)/(14)

3/13 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Wisconsin vs. (8)/(9)

2:30 p.m. (ESPN) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)

6:30 p.m. (BTN) (2) Maryland vs. (7)/(10)

9 p.m. (BTN) (3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14)

3/14 – Semifinals

1 p.m. (CBS)

3:30 p.m. (CBS)

3/15 – Finals

3:30 p.m. (CBS)

Predicted winner:  Indiana

Big West (March 12-14; Anaheim)

3/12 – Quarterfinals

3 p.m. (Fox Sports West Prime Ticket) (1) UC Davis vs. (8) Cal State Northridge

5:30 p.m. (Fox Sports West Prime Ticket) (4) vs. (5)

9 p.m. (Fox Sports West Prime Ticket) (3) vs. (6)

11:30 p.m. (Fox Sports West Prime Ticket) (2) vs. (7)

3/13 – Semifinals

9:30 p.m. (ESPNU – tape delayed) highest remaining seed vs. lowest remaining seed

11:59 p.m. (ESPN3) other two quarterfinal winners

3/14 – Finals

11:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Predicted winner:  UC Davis

CAA (March 6-9; Baltimore)

3/7 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (Comcast SportsNet) (1) William & Mary vs. (8) Elon.  Predicted winner:  William & Mary

2:30 p.m. (Comcast SportsNet) (4) James Madison vs. (5) Hofstra.  Predicted winner:  James Madison

6 p.m. (Comcast SportsNet) (2) UNC Wilmington vs. (10) Charleston.  Predicted winner:  UNC Wilmington

8:30 p.m. (Comcast SportsNet) (3) Northeastern vs. (6) Delaware

3/8 – Semifinals

2:30 p.m. (NBCSN) (1) William & Mary vs. (4) James Madison.  Predicted winner:  James Madison

5 p.m. (NBCSN) (2) UNC Wilmington vs. (3) Northeastern.  Predicted winner:  Northeastern

3/9 – Finals

7 p.m. (NBCSN) (3) Northeastern vs. (4) James Madison.  Predicted winner:  Northeastern

Conference USA (March 11-14; Birmingham, AL)

3/11 – First Round

1 p.m. (ASN)

3:30 p.m. (ASN) (12) vs. (13) Southern Mississippi

7 p.m. (ASN) (10) vs. (15)

9:30 p.m. (ASN) (11) vs. (14) Florida Atlantic

3/12 – Quarterfinals

1 p.m. (ASN) (1) Louisiana Tech vs. (8)/(9)

3:30 p.m. (ASN) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)

7 p.m. (ASN) (2) vs. (7)/(10)/(15)

9:30 p.m. (ASN) (3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14)

3/13 – Semifinals

4 p.m. (CBSSN)

6:30 p.m. (CBSSN)

3/14 – Finals

3:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

Predicted winner:  Louisiana Tech

Horizon (March 3, 6-7, 10; campus of higher seed for first round, campus of #1 seed for second round and semifinals, then campus of higher seed for championship)

3/7 – Semifinals

7 p.m. (ESPNU – tape delayed) (2) Green Bay vs. (6) UIC.  Predicted winner:  Green Bay

9:30 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Valparaiso vs. (4) Cleveland State.  Predicted winner:  Valparaiso

3/10 – Finals

7 p.m. (ESPN) (2) Green Bay at (1) Valparaiso.  Predicted winner:  Valparaiso

MAAC (March 5, 7-9; Albany, NY)

3/7 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Iona vs. (8) Siena.  Predicted winner:  Iona

2:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (4) Monmouth vs. (5) Canisius.  Predicted winner:  Monmouth

6:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) Rider vs. (7) St. Peter's.  Predicted winner:  Rider

9 p.m. (ESPN3) (3) Manhattan vs. (11) Marist.  Predicted winner:  Manhattan

3/8 – Semifinals

4:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Iona vs. (4) Monmouth.  Predicted winner:  Iona

7 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) Rider vs. (3) Manhattan.  Predicted winner:  Rider

3/9 – Finals

9 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Iona vs. (2) Rider.  Predicted winner:  Iona

MAC (March 9, 11-14; first round at campus sites of higher seed; remaining rounds in Cleveland)

3/9 – First Round

TBD (12) Ball State at (5)

TBD (9) at (8)

TBD (10) at (7)

TBD (11) Ohio at (6)

3/11 – Second Round

6:30 p.m. (TBD) (5)/(12) vs. (8)/(9)

9 p.m. (TBD) (7)/(10) vs. (6)/(11)

3/12 – Third Round

6:30 p.m. (TBD) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(8)/(9)

9 p.m. (TBD) (3) vs. (7)/(10)/(6)/(11)

3/13 – Semifinals

6:30 p.m. (TBD) (1) vs. (4)/(5)/(12)/(8)/(9)

9 p.m. (TBD) (2) vs. (3)/(7)/(10)/(6)/(11)

3/14 – Finals

7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Predicted winner:  Central Michigan

MEAC (March 9-14; Norfolk, VA)

First Round

3/9

6:30 p.m. (5) Delaware State vs. (12) Savannah State.  Predicted winner:  Delaware State

9 p.m. (6) Hampton vs. (11) Morgan State.  Predicted winner:  Hampton

3/10

6 p.m. (8) Bethune-Cookman vs. (9) Coppin State.  Predicted winner:  Bethune-Cookman

8 p.m. (7) South Carolina State vs. (10) North Carolina A&T.  Predicted winner:  South Carolina State

Quarterfinals

3/11

6 p.m. (1) North Carolina Central vs. (8) Bethune-Cookman.  Predicted winner:  North Carolina Central

8 p.m. (2) Norfolk State vs. (7) South Carolina State. Predicted winner:  Norfolk State

3/12

6 p.m. (3) Maryland Eastern Shore vs. (6) Hampton.  Predicted winner:  Maryland Eastern Shore

8 p.m. (4) Howard vs. (5) Delaware State.  Predicted winner:  Howard

3/13 – Semifinals

6:00 p.m. (1) North Carolina Central vs. (4) Howard.  Predicted winner:  North Carolina Central

8:00 p.m. (2) Norfolk State vs. (3) Maryland Eastern Shore.  Predicted winner:  Norfolk State

3/14 – Final

1:00 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) North Carolina Central vs. (2) Norfolk State.  Predicted winner:  North Carolina Central

Missouri Valley (March 5-8; St. Louis)

3/7 – Semifinals

2:35 p.m. (MVC TV) (1) Wichita State vs. (4) Illinois State.  Predicted winner:  Wichita State

5:05 p.m. (MVC TV) (2) Northern Iowa vs. (6) Loyola.  Predicted winner:  Northern Iowa

3/8 – Finals

2:05 p.m. (CBS) (1) Wichita State vs. (2) Northern Iowa.  Predicted winner:  Wichita State

Mountain West (March 11-14; Las Vegas)

3/11 – First Round

3 p.m. (Mountain West Network) (8) vs. (9)

5:30 p.m. (Mountain West Network) (7) vs. (10)

3/12 – Quarterfinals

3 p.m. (CBSSN) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

5:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (4) vs. (5)

9 p.m. (CBSSN) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

11:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (3) vs. (6)

3/13 – Semifinals

9 p.m. (CBSSN)

11:30 p.m. (CBSSN)

3/14 – Finals

6 p.m. (CBS)

Predicted winner:  San Diego State

Northeast Conference (March 4, 7, 10; campus of higher seed)

3/7 – Semifinals

12 p.m. (MSG+, Fox College Sports) (5) St. Francis (PA) at (1) St. Francis (NY).  Predicted winner:  St. Francis (NY)

2 p.m. (MSG+, Fox College Sports) (3) Bryant at (2) Robert Morris.  Predicted winner:  Robert Morris

3/10 – Finals

7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (2) Robert Morris at (1) St. Francis (NY).  Predicted winner:  St. Francis (NY)

Ohio Valley (March 4-7; Nashville)

3/7 – Finals

7 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Murray State vs. (3) Belmont.  Predicted winner:  Murray State

Pac-12 (March 11-14; Las Vegas)

3/11 – First Round

3 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (8) vs. (9)

5:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (5) vs. (12) USC

9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (7) vs. (10)

11:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (6) vs. (11) Washington

3/12 – Quarterfinals

3 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (1) Arizona vs. (8)/(9)

5:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (4) UCLA vs. (5)/(12)

9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

11:30 p.m. (ESPN) (3) vs. (6)/(11)

3/13 – Semifinals

9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)

11:30 p.m. (ESPN)

3/14 – Finals

11 p.m. (ESPN)

Predicted winner:  Utah

Patriot League (March 3, 5, 8, 11; campus of higher seed)

3/8 – Semifinals

2 p.m. (CBSSN) (4) Lafayette at (1) Bucknell.  Predicted winner:  Bucknell

4 p.m. (CBSSN) (6) American at (2) Colgate.  Predicted winner:  Colgate

3/11 – Finals

7:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (2) Colgate at (1) Bucknell.  Predicted winner:  Bucknell

SEC (March 11-15; Nashville)

3/11 – First Round

7 p.m. (SEC Network) (12) vs. (13)

9 p.m. (SEC Network) (11) vs. (14)

3/12 – Second Round

1 p.m. (SEC Network) (8) vs. (9)

3 p.m. (SEC Network) (5) vs. (12)/(13)

7 p.m. (SEC Network) (7) vs. (10)

9 p.m. (SEC Network) (6) vs. (11)/(14)

3/13 – Quarterfinals

1 p.m. (SEC Network) (1) Kentucky vs. (8)/(9)

3 p.m. (SEC Network) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)

7 p.m. (SEC Network) (2) Arkansas vs. (7)/(10)

9 p.m. (SEC Network) (3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14)

3/14 – Semifinals

1 p.m. (ESPN)

3 p.m. (ESPN)

3/15 – Finals

1 p.m. (ESPN)

Predicted winner:  Kentucky

Southern Conference (March 6-9; Asheville, NC)

3/7 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Wofford vs. (8) UNC Greensboro.  Predicted winner:  Wofford

2:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (4) Western Carolina vs. (5) ETSU.  Predicted winner:  ETSU

6 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) Chattanooga vs. (10) Furman.  Predicted winner:  Chattanooga

8:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (3) Mercer vs. (6) VMI.  Predicted winner:  Mercer

3/8 – Semifinals

6 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) Wofford vs. (5) ETSU.  Predicted winner:  Wofford

8:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) Chattanooga vs. (3) Mercer.  Predicted winner:  Chattanooga

3/9 – Finals

7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (1) Wofford vs. (2) Chattanooga.  Predicted winner:  Wofford

Southland (March 11-14; Katy, TX)

3/11 – First Round

6 p.m. (SLCDN) (5) Incarnate Word vs. (8)

8:30 p.m. (SLCDN) (6) Lamar vs. (7)

3/12 – Second Round

6 p.m. (SLCDN) (4) vs. (5)/(8)

8:30 p.m. (SLCDN) (3) vs. (6)/(7)

3/13 – Semifinals

6 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) vs. (4)/(5)/(8)

8:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) vs. (3)/(6)/(7)

3/14 – Finals

9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Predicted winner:  Sam Houston State

Summit (March 7-10; Sioux Falls, SD)

Quarterfinals

3/7

7 p.m. (MidcoSN/ESPN3) (1) South Dakota State vs. (8) Western Illinois.  Predicted winner:  South Dakota State

9:30 p.m. (MidcoSN/ESPN3) (2) North Dakota State vs. (7) Denver.  Predicted winner:  North Dakota State

3/8

7 p.m. (MidcoSN/ESPN3) (4) IPFW vs. (5) South Dakota.  Predicted winner:  IPFW

9:30 p.m. (MidcoSN/ESPN3) (3) Oral Roberts vs. (6) IUPUI.  Predicted winner:  Oral Roberts

3/9 – Semifinals

7 p.m. (MidcoSN/ESPN3) (1) South Dakota State vs. (4) IPFW.  Predicted winner:  South Dakota State

9:30 p.m. (MidcoSN/ESPN3) (2) North Dakota State vs. (3) Oral Roberts.  Predicted winner:  North Dakota State

3/10 – Finals

9 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) South Dakota State vs. (2) North Dakota State.  Predicted winner:  South Dakota State

Sun Belt (March 12-15; New Orleans)

3/12 – First Round

6 p.m. (ESPN3) (5) UT-Arlington vs. (8)

8:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (6) vs. (7)

3/13 – Second Round

6 p.m. (ESPN3) (4) Louisiana Lafayette vs. (5)/(8)

8:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (3) vs. (6)/(7)

3/14 – Semifinals

2 p.m. (ESPN3) (1) vs. (4)/(5)/(8)

4:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (2) vs. (3)/(6)/(7)

3/15 – Finals

1 p.m. (ESPN2)

Predicted winner:  Georgia Southern

SWAC (March 10-14; Houston)

3/10 – First Round

9:30 p.m. (8) vs. (9)

Quarterfinals

3/11

3:30 p.m. (2) vs. (7) Alabama A&M

9:30 p.m. (1) Texas Southern vs. (8)/(9)

3/12

3:30 p.m. (3) vs. (6)

9:30 p.m. (4) Prairie View A&M vs. (5)

3/13 – Semifinals

3:30 p.m.

9:30 p.m.

3/14 – Finals

6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

Predicted winner:  Texas Southern

WAC (March 12-14; Las Vegas)

3/12 – Quarterfinals

5 p.m. (1) New Mexico State vs. (8)

7:30 p.m. (4) vs. (5)

10 p.m. (3) vs. (6)

11:30 p.m. (2) vs. (7)

3/13 – Semifinals

9 p.m. (1) vs. (4)/(5)

11:30 p.m.

3/14 – Finals

11 p.m. (ESPNU)

Predicted winner:  New Mexico State

West Coast (March 6-7, 9-10; Las Vegas)

3/7 –Quarterfinals

3 p.m. (TWC SN, CSN CA, ROOT NW, BYUtv) (3) St. Mary's vs. (6) Portland.  Predicted winner:  St. Mary's

5 p.m. (TWC SN, CSN CA, ROOT NW, BYUtv) (4) Pepperdine vs. (5) San Diego.  Predicted winner:  Pepperdine

9 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Gonzaga vs. (8) San Francisco.  Predicted winner:  Gonzaga

11 p.m. (ESPN2) (2) BYU vs. (7) Santa Clara.  Predicted winner:  BYU

3/9 – Semifinals

9 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Gonzaga vs. (4) Pepperdine.  Predicted winner:  Gonzaga

11:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (2) BYU vs. (3) St. Mary's.  Predicted winner:  BYU

3/10 - Finals

9 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Gonzaga vs. (2) BYU.  Predicted winner:  Gonzaga