Tuesday, March 08, 2022

Updated Championship Week Predictions: "I Will Follow Him"

Today's Championship Week theme song is "I Will Follow Him," the 1963 #1 hit by Little Peggy March, who turns 74 today.  Yesterday, there weren't a ton of games, but man did we have some drama, with an epic buzzer beater and and a couple 1-seeds going down.  Today, we have 18 games over the course of nearly 12 hours, beginning with Boston College and Pitt kicking off the ACC Tournament at 2 p.m. Eastern, and ending with Chicago State and Utah Valley tipping off at 11:30 p.m. Eastern in the First Round of the WAC Tournament.

Here's what happened in yesterday's action:

  • In the SoCon title game, we had our first true March Madness moment, as 1-seed Chattanooga and 2-seed Furman battled for an NCAA Tournament bid.  The game went to overtime, and Furman took a 63-61 lead with about four seconds left.  Chattanooga guard David Jean-Baptiste took the inbound pass, drove up the floor, and let loose a 35-footer from the left wing just before the buzzer.  It was nothing but net, and pandemonium ensued for Mocs fans, while the Paladin team fell to the floor in agony.  This, ladies and gentlemen, is what March is all about.  The Mocs clinched their 12th trip to the Big Dance and first since 2016.  My favorite part was when the announcer said that Jean-Baptiste has been in the SoCon longer than eight of the conference's coaches.
  • In the Sun Belt championship game, 8-seeded Louisiana's Cinderella run ended, as 3-seed Georgia State beat the Ragin' Cajuns, 80-71, clinching the Panthers' 6th bid the NCAA Tournament and first since 2019.  On February 3, they were 8-10 overall and 2-5 in conference.  Ten consecutive wins later, they are going dancing again.
  • In the CAA semis, 5-seed Delaware upset top seed Towson, 69-56, and 2-seed UNC Wilmington held off 6-seed Charleston in an exciting 60-57 contest, to advance to tonight's championship game, where the Fightin' Blue Hens will be playing for their 6th NCAA Tournament berth and first since 2014, and the Seahawks will be playing for their 7th berth and first since 2017.
  • In the Horizon semis, 4-seed Wright State took down 1-seed Cleveland State, 82-57, and 3-seed Northern Kentucky beat up on 2-seed Purdue Ft. Wayne, 57-43.  When they meet in tonight's title game, the Raiders will be playing for their 4th trip to the Big Dance and first since 2018, while the Norse will be playing for their 3rd trip and first since 2019.
  • In the Summit semifinals, 1-seed South Dakota State won the battle for supremacy in the Mt. Rushmore State, handily beating 5-seed South Dakota, 83-60, and 2-seed North Dakota State trounced 3-seed Oral Roberts, 92-72, advancing to tonight's title game.  The Jackrabbits will be playing for their 6th NCAA Tournament bid and first since 2018, and the Bison will be playing for their 5th bid and first since 2019.
  • In the WCC semis, top seed Gonzaga held off 4-seed San Francisco, 81-71, and 2-seed St. Mary's beat 3-seed Santa Clara in a 75-72 thriller that came down to the wire.  When they face off in tonight's final, they will be playing each other in the WCC title game for the 10th time since 2009.  Both are locks for the NCAA Tournament.  The Bulldogs -- who are playing in their 26th WCC championship game in a row -- will be playing in their 24th NCAA Tournament and second in a row, and the Gaels will be playing in their 11th Tournament and first since 2019.
  • 5 conference tournaments start today (ACC, Big West, C-USA, MAAC), and 11 conference tournaments have games today, including 6 finals (A-Sun, Colonial, Horizon, NEC, Summit, WCC), though no semifinals or quarterfinals.
  • Here are the teams that have never been to the NCAA Tournament who are still playing in conference tournaments that have already started or will start today (not including teams who are ineligible for this year's NCAA Tournament):
    • Big Sky:  8-seed Sacramento State
    • Big West:  6-seed UC Riverside
    • MAAC:  11-seed Quinnipiac
    • MEAC:  6-seed Maryland Eastern Shore
    • Northeast:  1-seed Bryant
    • Southland:  8-seed Incarnate Word
    • Summit: 5-seed South Dakota
    • SWAC:  6-seed Grambling
    • WAC:  7-seed Utah Valley, 9-seed Texas Rio Grande Valley, 10-seed Chicago State
  • Bubble teams that won yesterday (in conference tournaments):  South Dakota State
  • Bubble teams that lost yesterday (in conference tournaments):  San Francisco
  • Bubble teams not in action yesterday (in conference tournaments):  Boise State, Colorado State, Creighton, Davidson, Dayton, Florida, Indiana, Iowa State, Marquette, Memphis, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, North Texas, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rutgers, San Diego State, Seton Hall, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M, VCU, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Wyoming, Xavier

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
-ACC
-Big West
-Conference USA
-MAAC
-WAC

Tournaments with games today
-ACC
-Atlantic Sun
-Big West
-Colonial
-Conference USA
-Horizon League
-MAAC
-Northeast
-Summit
-WAC
-West Coast

Bids up for grabs today (all times Eastern)
-Atlantic Sun (5 p.m.; ESPN): (E2) Jacksonville at (W2) Bellarmine
-Colonial (7 p.m.; CBSSN):  (2) UNC Wilmington vs. (5) Delaware
-Horizon (7 p.m.; ESPN):  (3) Northern Kentucky vs. (4) Wright State
-Northeast (7 p.m.; ESPN2):  (2) Wagner at (1) Bryant
-Summit (9 p.m.; ESPN2):  (1) South Dakota State vs. (2) North Dakota State
-West Coast (9 p.m.; ESPN):  (1) Gonzaga vs. (2) St. Mary's

Already clinched automatic berths (I will add in parentheses the NCAA tournament appearances for each school, including the bid just clinched and last NCAA Tournament appearance where applicable, and the year of the team's last NCAA Tournament appearance.  For conferences whose tournaments have not yet ended, I'll list the date of the championship game.)
-AAC (March 13)
-ACC (March 12)
-America East (March 12)
-Atlantic 10 (March 13)
-Atlantic Sun (March 8)
-Big 12 (March 12)
-Big East (March 12)
-Big Sky (March 12)
-Big South:  Longwood (1; never)
-Big Ten (March 13)
-Big West (March 12)
-Colonial (March 8)
-Conference USA (March 12)
-Horizon (March 8)
-Ivy League (March 13)
-MAAC (March 12)
-MAC (March 12)
-MEAC (March 12)
-Missouri Valley:  Loyola (IL) (8; 2021)
-Mountain West (March 12)
-Northeast Conference (March 8)
-Ohio Valley:  Murray State (19; 2019)
-Pac-12 (March 12)
-Patriot League (March 9)
-SEC (March 13)
-Southern Conference:  Chattanooga (12; 2016)
-Southland (March 12)
-Summit (March 8)
-Sun Belt:  Georgia State (6; 2019)
-SWAC (March 12)
-WAC (March 12)
-West Coast (March 8)

Remaining Tournaments (all times are Eastern)

AAC (March 10-13; Fort Worth)
3/10 – First Round
1 p.m. (ESPNU) (8) Cincinnati vs. (9) East Carolina.  Predicted winner:  Cincinnati
3 p.m. (ESPNU) (7) Wichita State vs. (10) Tulsa.  Predicted winner:  Wichita State
7 p.m. (ESPNU) (6) UCF vs. (11) South Florida.  Predicted winner:  UCF
3/11 – Quarterfinals
1 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Houston vs. (8) Cincinnati.  Predicted winner:  Houston
3 p.m. (ESPN2) (4) Temple vs. (5) Tulane.  Predicted winner:  Temple
7 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) SMU vs. (7) Wichita State.  Predicted winner:  SMU
9 p.m. (ESPNU) (3) Memphis vs. (6) UCF.  Predicted winner:  Memphis
3/12 – Semifinals
3 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Houston vs. (4) Temple.  Predicted winner:  Houston
5 p.m. (ESPN2) (2) SMU vs. (3) Memphis.  Predicted winner:  Memphis
3/13 – Finals
3:15 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Houston vs. (3) Memphis.  Predicted winner:  Houston

ACC (March 8-12; Brooklyn)
3/8 – First Round
2 p.m. (ACCN) (12) Pittsburgh vs. (13) Boston College.  Predicted winner:  Boston College
4:30 p.m. (ACCN) (10) Clemson vs. (15) NC State.  Predicted winner:  Clemson
7 p.m. (ACCN) (11) Louisville vs. (14) Georgia Tech.  Predicted winner:  Georgia Tech
3/9 – Second Round
12 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (8) Florida State vs. (9) Syracuse.  Predicted winner:  Syracuse
2:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (5) Wake Forest vs. (13) Boston College.  Predicted winner:  Wake Forest
7 p.m. (ESPNU/ESPN2) (7) Virginia Tech vs. (10) Clemson.  Predicted winner:  Virginia Tech
9:30 p.m. (ESPNU/ESPN2) (6) Virginia vs. (14) Georgia Tech.  Predicted winner: Virginia
3/10 – Quarterfinals
12 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (1) Duke vs. (9) Syracuse.  Predicted winner:  Duke
2:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (4) Miami vs. (5) Wake Forest.  Predicted winner:  Wake Forest
7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (2) Notre Dame vs. (7) Virginia Tech.  Predicted winner:  Notre Dame
9:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (3) North Carolina vs. (6) Virginia.  Predicted winner:  North Carolina
3/11 – Semifinals
7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (1) Duke vs. (5) Wake Forest.  Predicted winner:  Duke
9:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (2) Notre Dame vs. (3) North Carolina.  Predicted winner:  North Carolina
3/12 – Finals
8:30 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Duke vs. (3) North Carolina.  Predicted winner:  Duke

America East (March 6, 9, 12; campus of higher seed for semis and final)
3/9 – Semifinals
7 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) Binghamton at (1) Vermont.  Predicted winner:  Vermont
7 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Hartford at (2) UMBC.  Predicted winner:  UMBC
3/12 – Finals
11 .m. (ESPN2) (2) UMBC at (1) Vermont.  Predicted winner:  Vermont

Atlantic 10 (March 9-13; Washington, DC)
3/9 – First Round
1 p.m. (ESPN+) (12) LaSalle vs. (13) St. Joseph's.  Predicted winner:  St. Joseph's
3:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (11) Rhode Island vs. (14) Duquesne.  Predicted winner:  Rhode Island
3/10 – Second Round
Noon (USA, Peacock) (8) Fordham vs. (9) George Mason.  Predicted winner:  Fordham
2:30 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (5) St. Louis vs. (13) St. Joseph's.  Predicted winner:  St. Louis
6 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (7) George Washington vs. (10) UMass.  Predicted winner:  UMass
8:30 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (6) Richmond vs. (11) Rhode Island.  Predicted winner:  Richmond
3/11 – Quarterfinals
Noon (USA, Peacock) (1) Davidson vs. (8) Fordham.  Predicted winner:  Davidson
2:30 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (4) St. Bonaventure vs. (5) St. Louis.  Predicted winner:  St. Bonaventure
6 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (2) Dayton vs. (10) UMass.  Predicted winner:  Dayton
8:30 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (3) VCU vs. (6) Richmond.  Predicted winner:  VCU
3/12 – Semifinals
1 p.m. (CBSSN) (1) Davidson vs. (4) St. Bonaventure.  Predicted winner:  Davidson
3:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (2) Dayton vs. (3) VCU.  Predicted winner:  Dayton
3/13 – Finals
1 p.m. (CBS) (1) Davidson vs. (2) Dayton.  Predicted winner:  Davidson

Atlantic Sun (March 1, 3, 5, 8; campus sites of higher seeds)
3/8 – Finals
5 p.m. (ESPN) (E2) Jacksonville at (W2) Bellarmine*.  Predicted winner:  Jacksonville
*Ineligible for the NCAA Tournament because still in transition period from D-II

Big 12 (March 9-12; Kansas City)
3/9 – First Round
7 p.m. (ESPNU) (8) Kansas State vs. (9) West Virginia.  Predicted winner:  West Virginia
3/10 – Quarterfinals
12:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (4) Texas vs. (5) TCU.  Predicted winner:  Texas
2:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (1) Kansas vs. (9) West Virginia.  Predicted winner:  Kansas
7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (2) Baylor vs. (7) Oklahoma.  Predicted winner:  Baylor
9 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (3) Texas Tech vs. (6) Iowa State.  Predicted winner:  Texas Tech
3/11 – Semifinals
7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (1) Kansas vs. (4) Texas.  Predicted winner:  Kansas
9 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (2) Baylor vs. (3) Texas Tech.  Predicted winner:  Texas Tech
3/12 – Finals
6 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Kansas vs. (3) Texas Tech.  Predicted winner:  Texas Tech

Big East (March 9-12; New York)
3/9 – First Round
4:30 p.m. (FS1) (8) Xavier vs. (9) Butler.  Predicted winner:  Butler
7 p.m. (FS1) (7) St. John's vs. (10) DePaul.  Predicted winner:  St. John's
9:30 p.m. (FS1) (6) Seton Hall vs. (11) Georgetown.  Predicted winner:  Seton Hall
3/10 – Quarterfinals
Noon (FS1) (1) Providence vs. (9) Butler.  Predicted winner:  Providence
2:30 p.m. (FS1) (4) Creighton vs. (5) Marquette.  Predicted winner:  Creighton
7 p.m. (FS1) (2) Villanova vs. (7) St. John's.  Predicted winner:  Villanova
9:30 p.m. (FS1) (3) UConn vs. (6) Seton Hall.  Predicted winner:  Seton Hall
3/11 – Semifinals
6:30 p.m. (FS1) (1) Providence vs. (4) Creighton.  Predicted winner:  Providence
9 p.m. (FS1) (2) Villanova vs. (6) Seton Hall.  Predicted winner:  Villanova
3/12 – Finals
6:30 p.m. (Fox) (1) Providence vs. (2) Villanova.  Predicted winner:  Providence

Big Sky (March 9-12; Boise)
3/9 – First Round
11:30 a.m. (ESPN+) (8) Sacramento State vs. (9) Idaho.  Predicted winner:  Sacramento State
2 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) Portland State vs. (10) Idaho State.  Predicted winner:  Portland State
4:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) Eastern Washington vs. (11) Northern Arizona.  Predicted winner:  Eastern Washington
3/10 – Quarterfinals
2 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Montana State vs. (8) Sacramento State.  Predicted winner:  Montana State
4:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Weber State vs. (5) Montana.  Predicted winner:  Weber State
7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Southern Utah vs. (7) Portland State.  Predicted winner:  Southern Utah
10 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Northern Colorado vs. (6) Eastern Washington.  Predicted winner:  Eastern Washington
3/11 – Semifinals
7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Montana State vs. (4) Weber State.  Predicted winner:  Montana State
10 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Southern Utah vs. (6) Eastern Washington.  Predicted winner:  Southern Utah
3/12 – Finals
8 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Montana State vs. (2) Southern Utah.  Predicted winner:  Montana State

Big Ten (March 9-13; Indianapolis)
3/9 – First Round
6:30 p.m. (BTN) (12) Northwestern vs. (13) Nebraska.  Predicted winner:  Nebraska
9 p.m. (BTN) (11)  Penn State vs. (14) Minnesota.  Predicted winner:  Penn State
3/10 – Second Round
11:30 a.m. (BTN) (8) Michigan vs. (9) Indiana.  Predicted winner:  Indiana
2 p.m. (BTN) (5) Iowa vs. (13) Nebraska.  Predicted winner:  Iowa
6:30 p.m. (BTN) (7) Michigan State vs. (10) Maryland.  Predicted winner:  Michigan State
9 p.m. (BTN) (6) Ohio State vs. (11) Penn State.  Predicted winner:  Ohio State
3/11 – Quarterfinals
11:30 a.m. (BTN) (1) Illinois vs. (9) Indiana.  Predicted winner:  Illinois
2 p.m. (BTN) (4) Rutgers vs. (5) Iowa.  Predicted winner:  Iowa
6:30 p.m. (BTN) (2) Wisconsin vs. (7) Michigan State.  Predicted winner:  Michigan State
9 p.m. (BTN) (3) Purdue vs. (6) Ohio State.  Predicted winner:  Ohio State
3/12 – Semifinals
1 p.m. (CBS) (1) Illinois vs. (5) Iowa.  Predicted winner:  Iowa
3:30 p.m. (CBS) (6) Ohio State vs. (7) Michigan State.  Predicted winner:  Michigan State
3/13 – Finals
3:30 p.m. (CBS) (5) Iowa vs. (7) Michigan State.  Predicted winner:  Michigan State

Big West (March 8, 10-12; Henderson, NV)
3/8 - First Round
9 p.m. (ESPN+) (8) Cal State Northridge vs. (9) Cal State Bakersfield.  Predicted winner:  Cal State Northridge
11:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) UC Davis vs. (10) Cal Poly.  Predicted winner:  UC Davis
3/10 – Quarterfinals
3 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Long Beach State vs. (8) Cal State Northridge.  Predicted winner:  Long Beach State
5 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) UC Irvine vs. (5) UC Santa Barbara.  Predicted winner:  UC Irvine
9 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Cal State Fullerton vs. (7) UC Davis.  Predicted winner:  Cal State Fullerton
11:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Hawaii vs. (6) UC Riverside.  Predicted winner:  Hawaii
3/11 – Semifinals
9 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Long Beach State vs. (4) UC Irvine.  Predicted winner:  UC Irvine
11:30 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) Cal State Fullerton vs. (3) Hawaii.  Predicted winner:  Cal State Fullerton
3/12 – Finals
11:30 p.m. (ESPN) (2) Cal State Fullerton vs. (4) UC Irvine.  Predicted winner:  Cal State Fullerton

CAA (March 5-8; Washington, DC)
3/8 – Finals
7 p.m. (CBSSN) (2) UNC Wilmington vs. (5) Delaware.  Predicted winner:  Delaware

Conference USA (March 8-12; Frisco, TX)
3/8 - First Round
7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (W6) UTSA vs. (W7) Southern Mississippi.  Predicted winner:  UTSA
8 p.m. (ESPN+) (E6) FIU vs. (E7) Marshall.  Predicted winner:  FIU
3/9 – Second Round
6:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (E4) Charlotte vs. (W5) Rice.  Predicted winner:  Charlotte
7 p.m. (ESPN+) (W3) Louisiana Tech vs. (E6) FIU.  Predicted winner:  Louisiana Tech
9 p.m. (ESPN+) (W4) UTEP vs. (E5) Old Dominion.  Predicted winner:  UTEP
9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (E3) FAU vs. (W6) UTSA.  Predicted winner: FAU
3/10 – Quarterfinals
6:30 p.m. (Stadium) (E1) Middle Tennessee State vs. (W4) UTEP.  Predicted winner:  Middle Tennessee State
7 p.m. (Stadium) (W2) UAB vs. (E3) FAU.  Predicted winner:  UAB
9 p.m. (Stadium) (W1) North Texas vs. (E4) Charlotte.  Predicted winner:  North Texas
9:30 p.m. (Stadium) (E2) Western Kentucky vs. (W3) Louisiana Tech.  Predicted winner:  Louisiana Tech
3/11 – Semifinals
12:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (E1) Middle Tennessee State vs. (W2) UAB.  Predicted winner:  UAB
2 p.m. (CBSSN) (W1) North Texas vs. (W3) Louisiana Tech.  Predicted winner:  North Texas
3/12 – Finals
8:30 p.m. (CBSSN)  (W1) North Texas v. (W2) UAB.  Predicted winner:  North Texas

Horizon (March 1, 3, 7-8; first round and quarterfinals at campus sites of higher seed and remaining rounds in Indianapolis)
3/8 – Finals
7 p.m. (ESPN) (3) Northern Kentucky vs. (4) Wright State.  Predicted winner:  Wright State

Ivy League (March 12-13; Boston)
3/12 - Semifinals
11 a.m. (ESPNU) (1) Princeton vs. (4) Cornell.  Predicted winner:  Princeton
2 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) Yale vs. (3) Penn.  Predicted winner:  Yale
3/13 - Finals
Noon (ESPN2) (1) Princeton vs. (2) Yale.  Predicted winner:  Princeton

MAAC (March 8-12; Atlantic City, NJ)
3/8 - First Round
5 p.m. (ESPN+) (8) Manhattan vs. (9) Rider.  Predicted winner:  Manhattan
7 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) Fairfield vs. (10) Canisius.  Predicted winner:  Fairfield
9 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) Marist vs. (11) Quinnipiac.  Predicted winner:  Marist
Quarterfinals
3/9
7 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Iona vs. (8) Manhattan.  Predicted winner:  Iona
9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) St. Peter's vs. (7) Fairfield.  Predicted winner:  St. Peter's
3/10
7 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Siena vs. (6) Marist.  Predicted winner:  Siena
9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Monmouth vs. (5) Niagara.  Predicted winner:  Monmouth
3/11 – Semifinals
6 p.m. (ESPNews) (1) Iona vs. (4) Monmouth.  Predicted winner:  Iona
8:30 p.m. (ESPNews) (2) St. Peter's vs. (3) Siena.  Predicted winner:  St. Peter's
3/12 – Finals
4 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Iona vs. (2) St. Peter's.  Predicted winner:  Iona

MAC (March 10-12; Cleveland)
3/10 – Quarterfinals
11 a.m. (ESPN+) (1) Toledo vs. (8) Central Michigan.  Predicted winner:  Toledo
1:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Akron vs. (5) Buffalo.  Predicted winner:  Akron
4 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Kent State vs. (7) Miami.  Predicted winner:  Kent State
6:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Ohio vs. (6) Ball State.  Predicted winner:  Ohio
3/11 – Semifinals
5 p.m. (CBSSN) (1) Toledo vs. (4) Akron.  Predicted winner:  Toledo
7:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (2) Kent State vs. (3) Ohio.  Predicted winner:  Ohio
3/12 – Finals
7:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Toledo vs. (3) Ohio.  Predicted winner:  Ohio

MEAC (March 9-12; Norfolk, VA)
Quarterfinals
3/9
6 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Norfolk State vs. (8) Delaware State.  Predicted winner:  Norfolk State
8 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Howard vs. (7) Coppin State.  Predicted winner:  Howard
3/10
6 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Morgan State vs. (5) South Carolina State.  Predicted winner:  South Carolina State
8 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) North Carolina Central vs. (6) Maryland Eastern Shore.  Predicted winner:  North Carolina Central
3/11 – Semifinals
6 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Norfolk State vs. (5) South Carolina State.  Predicted winner:  Norfolk State
8 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Howard vs. (3) North Carolina Central.  Predicted winner:  North Carolina Central
3/12 – Final
1:00 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Norfolk State vs. (3) North Carolina Central.  Predicted winner:  Norfolk State

Mountain West (March 9-12; Las Vegas)
3/10 – First Round
2 p.m. (Stadium/MWN) (8) Nevada vs. (9) New Mexico.  Predicted winner:  New Mexico
4:30 p.m. (Stadium/MWN) (7) Utah State vs. (10) Air Force.  Predicted winner:  Utah State
7 p.m. (Stadium/MWN) (6) Fresno State vs. (11) San Jose State.  Predicted winner:  Fresno State
3/11 – Quarterfinals
3 p.m. (CBSSN) (1) Boise State vs. (9) New Mexico.  Predicted winner:  Boise State
5:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (4) Wyoming vs. (5) UNLV.  Predicted winner:  Wyoming
9 p.m. (CBSSN) (2) Colorado State vs. (7) Utah State.  Predicted winner:  Colorado State
11:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (3) San Diego State vs. (6) Fresno State.  Predicted winner:  San Diego State
3/12 – Semifinals
9:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (1) Boise State vs. (4) Wyoming.  Predicted winner:  Wyoming
11:59 p.m. (CBSSN) (2) Colorado State vs. (3) San Diego State.  Predicted winner:  San Diego State
3/13 – Finals
6 p.m. (CBS) (3) San Diego State vs. (4) Wyoming.  Predicted winner:  Wyoming

Northeast Conference (February 28, March 2, 5, 8; campus of higher seed)
3/8 – Finals
7 p.m. (ESPN2) (2) Wagner at (1) Bryant.  Predicted winner:  Wagner

Pac-12 (March 9-12; Paradise, NV)
3/9 – First Round
3 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (8) Arizona State vs. (9) Stanford.  Predicted winner:  Stanford
5:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (5) Oregon vs. (12) Oregon State.  Predicted winner:  Oregon
9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (7) Washington State vs. (10) California.  Predicted winner:  Washington State
11:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (6) Washington vs. (11) Utah.  Predicted winner:  Washington
3/10 – Quarterfinals
3 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (1) Arizona vs. (9) Stanford.  Predicted winner:  Arizona
5:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (4) Colorado vs. (5) Oregon.  Predicted winner:  Colorado
9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (2) UCLA vs. (7) Washington State.  Predicted winner:  UCLA
11:30 p.m. (FS1) (3) USC vs. (6) Washington.  Predicted winner:  USC
3/11 – Semifinals
9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (1) Arizona vs. (4) Colorado.  Predicted winner:  Arizona
11:30 p.m. (FS1) (2) UCLA vs. (3) USC.  Predicted winner:
3/12 – Finals
9 p.m. (Fox) (1) Arizona vs. (2) UCLA.  Predicted winner:  UCLA

Patriot League (March 1, 3, 6, 9; campus of higher seed)
3/9 – Finals
7:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (2) Navy at (1) Colgate.  Predicted winner:  Colgate

SEC (March 9-13; Tampa)
3/9 – First Round
6 p.m. (SEC Network) (12) Missouri vs. (13) Mississippi.  Predicted winner:  Mississippi
8 p.m. (SEC Network) (11) Vanderbilt vs. (14) Georgia.  Predicted winner:  Vanderbilt
3/10 – Second Round
12 p.m. (SEC Network) (8) Texas A&M vs. (9) Florida.  Predicted winner:  Florida
2 p.m. (SEC Network) (5) LSU vs. (13) Mississippi.  Predicted winner:  LSU
6 p.m. (SEC Network) (7) South Carolina vs. (10) Mississippi State.  Predicted winner:  South Carolina
8 p.m. (SEC Network) (6) Alabama vs. (11) Vanderbilt.  Predicted winner:  Alabama
3/11 – Quarterfinals
12 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Auburn vs. (9) Florida.  Predicted winner:  Auburn
2 p.m. (ESPN) (4) Arkansas vs. (5) LSU.  Predicted winner:  Arkansas
6 p.m. (SEC Network) (2) Tennessee vs. (7) South Carolina.  Predicted winner:  Tennessee
8 p.m. (SEC Network) (3) Kentucky vs. (6) Alabama.  Predicted winner:  Kentucky
3/12 – Semifinals
1 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Auburn vs. (4) Arkansas.  Predicted winner:  Auburn
3 p.m. (ESPN) (2) Tennessee vs. (3) Kentucky.  Predicted winner:  Kentucky
3/13 – Finals
1 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Auburn vs. (3) Kentucky.  Predicted winner:  Auburn

Southland (March 9-12; Katy, TX)
3/9 – First Round
6 p.m. (ESPN+) (5) Houston Baptist vs. (8) Incarnate Word.  Predicted winner:  Houston Baptist
8:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) Northwestern State vs. (7) McNeese State.  Predicted winner:  McNeese State
3/10 – Second Round
6 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Texas A&M CC vs. (5) Houston Baptist.  Predicted winner:  Texas A&M CC
8:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) New Orleans vs. (7) McNeese State.  Predicted winner:  New Orleans
3/11 – Semifinals
6 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Nicholls vs. (4) Texas A&M CC.  Predicted winner:  Nicholls
8:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Southeastern Louisiana vs. (3) New Orleans.  Predicted winner:  New Orleans
3/12 – Finals
9:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Nicholls vs. (3) New Orleans.  Predicted winner:  Nicholls

Summit (March 5-8; Sioux Falls, SD)
3/8 – Finals
9 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) South Dakota State vs. (2) North Dakota State.  Predicted winner:  South Dakota State

SWAC (March 9-12; Birmingham, AL)
Quarterfinals
3/9
3 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Southern vs. (7) Jackson State.  Predicted winner:  Southern
9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Alcorn State vs. (8) Prairie View A&M.  Predicted winner:  Alcorn State
3/10
3 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Texas Southern vs. (6) Grambling.  Predicted winner:  Texas Southern
9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Florida A&M vs. (5) Alabama A&M.  Predicted winner:  Florida A&M
3/11 – Semifinals
3 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Alcorn State vs. (4) Florida A&M.  Predicted winner:  Southern
9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Southern vs. (3) Texas Southern.  Predicted winner:  Texas Southern
3/12 – Finals
6 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Alcorn State vs. (3) Texas Southern.  Predicted winner:  Texas Southern

WAC (March 8-12; Paradise, NV)
3/8 - First Round
9 p.m. (ESPN+) (8) California Baptist* vs. (9) UT Rio Grande Valley.  Predicted winner:  California Baptist*
11 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) Utah Valley vs. (10) Chicago State.  Predicted winner:  Utah Valley
3/9 - Second Round
9 p.m. (ESPN+) (5) Sam Houston State vs. (8) California Baptist*.  Predicted winner:  Sam Houston State
11 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) Abilene Christian vs. (7) Utah Valley.  Predicted winner:  Abilene Christian
3/10 – Quarterfinals
9 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Grand Canyon vs. (5) Sam Houston State.  Predicted winner:  Grand Canyon
11:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Stephen F. Austin vs. (6) Abilene Christian.  Predicted winner:  Stephen F. Austin
3/11 – Semifinals
9 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) New Mexico State vs. (4) Grand Canyon.  Predicted winner:  New Mexico State
11:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Seattle vs. (3) Stephen F. Austin.  Predicted winner:  Stephen F. Austin
3/12 – Finals
10 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) New Mexico State vs. (3) Stephen F. Austin.  Predicted winner:  New Mexico State
*Ineligible for the NCAA Tournament because still in transition period from D-II

West Coast (March 3-5, 7-8; Paradise, NV)
3/8 – Finals
9 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Gonzaga vs. (2) St. Mary's.  Predicted winner:  Gonzaga

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