It has begun. And as usual, it is going to be Madness.
After an eleven month hiatus, the greatest month of sports is upon us once again. March is here basketball fans, and to get the ball rolling, this week marks Championship week. Before the bids are handed out for the NCAA Tournament, some programs across the nation will jockey for position in the Big Dance while others will see their hopes dashed and still others will secure their place among the 65-team field.
Battling for an automatic bid to the national tourney can bring out the best of competition between the fiercest of rivals. In preparation for an entertaining and action packed week of basketball, here is a run down of the major conference tournaments.
Big East
Site: New York City, March 12-15
The Big East is a conference that has had to deal with controversy within the Villanova program, however, The Big Apple should still see plenty of good basketball. Boston College seems to have played itself into the Big Dance, but Seton Hall could use a few victories to prove itself worthy of the selection committee's attention.
Dohman's pick: Syracuse
Big 12
Site: Dallas, March 13-16
Hands down the best conference in the nation, the Big 12 Tournament should be one of the most watched tournaments in the country. Not only are No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament on the line here, but three of the top six teams in the country will be participating, in addition to teams such as Colorado and especially Texas Tech who need to nearly run the table to insure a berth.
Dohman's pick: This one is a toss-up, but I have to go with the Kansas Jayhawks for they have the easiest road to the title game.
SEC
Site: New Orleans, March 13-16
It looked as though the Southeastern Conference might get seven teams into the tournament, but after Georgia pulled itself out of the SEC and NCAA Tournaments, another spot may be open from this group. Kentucky and Florida are by far the front-runners, but the performances of bubble dwellers Auburn, Alabama, LSU and Tennessee are the real story here.
Dohman's pick: Can anyone beat Kentucky? ... Not in the SEC at least.
ACC
Site: Greensboro, March 13-16
The three teams atop the ACC should provide quite a weekend in Greensboro, N.C. Add that to the dire need of at least two victories by N.C. State, and the ACC semifinals could produce instant classics.
Dohman's pick: Maryland is the defending National Champion. Wake Forest has the conference (and possible national) player of the year in senior guard Josh Howard. And Duke is Duke. Look for senior guard Steve Blake to add one more (conference) championship to his resume before leaving Maryland.
Pac-10
Site: Los Angeles, March 13-15
Before the season tipped off it looked as though the top two teams would be Arizona and Oregon. The 'Cats have held up their end of the bargain while the Ducks continue to slip further and further out of the national spotlight. A loss to the Sun Devils in the opening round could burst Oregon's bubble.
Dohman's pick: Everyone is going to be picking Arizona, which is exactly why I like the Stanford Cardinal.
Conference USA
Site: Louisville, March 12-15
Nothing could help Louisville's slide more than the conference tournament being on their home floor. However, the bigger stories here are if Marquette can pull off a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and if St. Louis, can manage enough victories to be seriously considered by the selection committee.
Dohman's pick: It is nearly impossible to go against the Golden Eagles in this one, but do not be surprised to see Memphis, who has won 11 straight, upset the home team in the semifinals and knock off Marquette in the Championship game.
Atlantic 10
Site: Dayton, March 13-15
Another conference that has no bubble teams, but do not let that fool you, this should be one of the most exciting tournaments of the year. Dayton has revenge on their mind against Xavier, who beat the Flyers twice this year. Revenge that could not be sweeter on the Flyers' home court in the seniors' last game in Dayton.
Note: Do not count out Head Coach John Chaney and the Temple Owls.
Dohman's pick: Home-court advantage will be too much for St. Joseph's and Xavier to overcome. I think the home team, Dayton, will come out on top in this major conference battle.
