Championship Week: A guide to the 2nd wave of conference tournaments
Eighteen conference tournaments go full bore this week, a hearty appetizer ahead of Selection Sunday.
Here's a primer to get you ready for all of them, from the ACC to the WAC:
ACC
When: Tuesday, March 10 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Greensboro, North Carolina
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State | 26-5 | 16-4 | 8-2 |
| Virginia | 23-7 | 15-5 | 9-1 |
| Louisville | 24-7 | 15-5 | 6-4 |
| Duke | 25-6 | 15-5 | 7-3 |
| Georgia Tech | 17-14 | 11-9 | 7-3 |
| NC State | 19-12 | 10-10 | 5-5 |
| Syracuse | 17-14 | 10-10 | 4-6 |
| Notre Dame | 19-12 | 10-10 | 6-4 |
| Clemson | 15-15 | 9-11 | 4-6 |
| Miami (Fla.) | 15-15 | 7-13 | 4-6 |
| Boston College | 13-18 | 7-13 | 3-7 |
| Virginia Tech | 16-15 | 7-13 | 2-8 |
| Wake Forest | 13-17 | 6-14 | 4-6 |
| Pittsburgh | 15-16 | 6-14 | 2-8 |
| North Carolina | 13-18 | 6-14 | 3-7 |
Teams to watch
Florida State: Some expected the Seminoles to take a step back after last year's Sweet 16 run, but Leonard Hamilton's squad was the steadiest in the ACC this season, never losing back-to-back games. Florida State is among the tallest teams in the country.
Duke: It's a bit strange seeing the Blue Devils seeded fourth, but Duke lost three of its final six games to fall out of first in the ACC. Still, most predictive analytics like the Blue Devils as the best team in the conference.
Virginia: The Cavaliers rank 235th in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom, but first in defense. After spending January on the bubble, they won 11 of 12 to finish second in the league.
Players to watch
Vernon Carey, Duke: The 6-foot-10 freshman is a force, averaging 17.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Cole Anthony, North Carolina: He may play for the 14th-seeded team, but if he gets hot … the Tar Heels are 4-0 when he shoots 50% or better from the field.
Big East
When: Wednesday, March 11 - Saturday, March 14
Where: New York
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton | 24-7 | 13-5 | 8-2 |
| Villanova | 24-7 | 13-5 | 7-3 |
| Seton Hall | 21-9 | 13-5 | 5-5 |
| Providence | 19-12 | 12-6 | 8-2 |
| Butler | 22-9 | 10-8 | 5-5 |
| Marquette | 18-12 | 8-10 | 4-6 |
| Xavier | 19-12 | 8-10 | 6-4 |
| Georgetown | 15-16 | 5-13 | 3-7 |
| St. John's | 16-15 | 5-13 | 3-7 |
| DePaul | 15-16 | 3-15 | 2-8 |
Teams to watch
Creighton: The Bluejays clinched the tournament's top seed with a 77-60 victory over Seton Hall on the final day of the regular season. They'll be without second-leading scorer Marcus Zegarowski because of a knee injury.
Seton Hall: The Pirates have the conference's best player in Myles Powell and one of the Big East's best shot-blockers in Romaro Gill.
Providence: The Friars lost to St. John's on Feb. 12 to drop to 13-12 overall. One month later, Providence has won six in a row and could make some noise in both the Big East and NCAA tournaments.
Players to watch
Markus Howard, Marquette: The Golden Eagles lost six of seven to end the regular season, but Howard (27.8 points per game) can heat up at any moment.
Kamar Baldwin, Butler: Baldwin sometimes gets lost in the discussion of great Big East guards, but he's a senior leader for a Bulldogs team that began the season 15-1.
Big Ten
When: Wednesday, March 11 - Sunday, March 15
Where: Indianapolis
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 21-10 | 14-6 | 9-1 |
| Michigan State | 22-9 | 14-6 | 6-4 |
| Maryland | 24-7 | 14-6 | 7-3 |
| Illinois | 21-10 | 13-7 | 5-5 |
| Iowa | 20-11 | 11-9 | 5-5 |
| Penn State | 21-10 | 11-9 | 5-5 |
| Ohio State | 21-10 | 11-9 | 7-3 |
| Rutgers | 20-11 | 11-9 | 4-6 |
| Michigan | 19-12 | 10-10 | 6-4 |
| Purdue | 16-15 | 9-11 | 5-5 |
| Indiana | 19-12 | 9-11 | 4-6 |
| Minnesota | 14-16 | 8-12 | 3-7 |
| Northwestern | 8-22 | 3-17 | 2-8 |
| Nebraska | 7-24 | 2-18 | 0-10 |
Teams to watch
Wisconsin: An improbable 1-seed, Wisconsin was 13-10 overall and 6-6 in conference play following a Feb. 5 loss to Minnesota. The Badgers have caught fire of late, though, winning eight in a row to close the season. This slow-tempo squad shares the basketball, with seven players averaging between eight and 14 points per game.
Michigan State: The country's top-ranked team in the preseason, the Spartans lost more regular-season games than anyone expected. Like Wisconsin, however, Michigan State finished strong, winning six of its final seven games. The Spartans led the country in percentage of baskets coming off an assist for the third consecutive season, according to KenPom. They also hold teams to a third-ranked effective field-goal percentage of 43.3.
Michigan: The Wolverines have a new coach in Juwan Howard, but they bring a track record of conference tournament success to Indianapolis. Michigan won the event in 2017 and 2018 and has at least one victory in the Big Ten Tournament in 13 consecutive seasons.
Players to watch
Luka Garza, Iowa: The 6-foot-11 senior dominated the toughest conference in the country this season, averaging 23.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
Cassius Winston, Michigan State: Winston has averaged 20.8 points and 6.8 assists during Michigan State's current five-game winning streak.
Big 12
When: Wednesday, March 11 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Kansas City
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 28-3 | 17-1 | 10-0 |
| Baylor | 26-4 | 15-3 | 7-3 |
| Oklahoma | 19-12 | 9-9 | 5-5 |
| Texas | 19-12 | 9-9 | 5-5 |
| Texas Tech | 18-13 | 9-9 | 5-5 |
| West Virginia | 21-10 | 9-9 | 4-6 |
| TCU | 16-15 | 7-11 | 3-7 |
| Oklahoma State | 17-14 | 7-11 | 7-3 |
| Iowa State | 12-19 | 5-13 | 3-7 |
| Kansas State | 10-21 | 3-15 | 1-9 |
Teams to watch
Kansas: The Jayhawks haven't lost since Jan. 11 and look like the team to beat in March. Good luck scoring inside against this squad, which blocks a higher percentage of shots than any other team in the Big 12.
Baylor: The Bears should still get a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament despite losing three of five to end the regular season. They'd love a rubber match against Kansas in the conference championship.
Texas: The Longhorns play Texas Tech at 12:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday in one of the most interesting games of the week. A win could push Texas through to the NCAA Tournament. A loss will only increase the speculation around Shaka Smart's job status.
Players to watch
Udoka Azubuike, Kansas: The 7-foot senior has played the best basketball of his life over the past month: He put up 23 points and 19 rebounds at Baylor, 19 and 16 at Oklahoma State, and 31 and 14 against TCU.
Desmond Bane, TCU: If there's any player who can spark a lower-seeded team to an upset or two, it's Bane. The senior is averaging 16.6 points per game and shoots 44.1% from 3-point range.
Pac-12
When: Wednesday, March 11 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Las Vegas
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 24-7 | 13-5 | 7-3 |
| UCLA | 19-12 | 12-6 | 8-2 |
| Arizona State | 20-11 | 11-7 | 7-3 |
| USC | 22-9 | 11-7 | 5-5 |
| Arizona | 20-11 | 10-8 | 5-5 |
| Colorado | 21-10 | 10-8 | 5-5 |
| Stanford | 20-11 | 9-9 | 4-6 |
| Oregon State | 17-13 | 7-11 | 5-5 |
| Utah | 16-14 | 7-11 | 4-6 |
| California | 13-18 | 7-11 | 3-7 |
| Washington State | 15-16 | 6-12 | 3-7 |
| Washington | 15-16 | 5-13 | 3-7 |
Teams to watch
Oregon: The Ducks have reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four years and could do it again this season. They rank second in the nation in 3-point shooting (39.6%).
UCLA: Had the Bruins won their last game against USC, they would've earned a share of the Pac-12 regular-season crown. Instead, they likely need at least one win in the conference tournament to feel good about their at-large bid chances.
Stanford: No team needs a better performance in Vegas than the Cardinal. Stanford went 5-9 over its final 14 games, slipping to seventh in the league. A first-round loss to California would probably send the Cardinal to the National Invitation Tournament.
Players to watch
Payton Pritchard, Oregon: A four-year starter, Pritchard ascended to All-American status this season, averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Zeke Nnaji, Arizona: The 6-foot-11 freshman averaged 16.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and led the Pac-12 in fouls drawn per 40 minutes, according to KenPom.
SEC
When: Wednesday, March 11 - Sunday, March 15
Where: Nashville
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 25-6 | 15-3 | 9-1 |
| Auburn | 25-6 | 12-6 | 6-4 |
| LSU | 21-10 | 12-6 | 4-6 |
| Mississippi State | 20-11 | 11-7 | 6-4 |
| Florida | 19-12 | 11-7 | 6-4 |
| South Carolina | 18-13 | 10-8 | 5-5 |
| Texas A&M | 16-14 | 10-8 | 6-4 |
| Tennessee | 17-14 | 9-9 | 5-5 |
| Alabama | 16-15 | 8-10 | 4-6 |
| Missouri | 15-16 | 7-11 | 5-5 |
| Arkansas | 19-12 | 7-11 | 3-7 |
| Mississippi | 15-16 | 6-12 | 5-5 |
| Georgia | 15-16 | 5-13 | 3-7 |
| Vanderbilt | 11-20 | 3-15 | 3-7 |
Teams to watch
Kentucky: Some bad losses might affect Kentucky's tournament seeding, but this team is certainly the class of the SEC. The Wildcats lead the country in free-throw percentage (79.7).
Florida: A title contender in the preseason, Florida has yet to put together a winning streak of more than four games. That said, the Gators have shot the ball well for the better part of a month.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks held SEC opponents to a 28.3% clip from 3-point range this season. Their wins include victories over Kentucky and Virginia.
Players to watch
Mason Jones, Arkansas: The Razorbacks will need a big tournament from the 6-foot-5 junior to reach the Big Dance. Jones enters the week averaging 32.3 points over his last four outings.
Kira Lewis, Alabama: The Crimson Tide play fast, with Lewis at the head of the attack. He averages 18.5 points and 5.2 assists per game.
American
When: Thursday, March 12 - Sunday, March 15
Where: Fort Worth, Texas
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 20-10 | 13-5 | 7-3 |
| Houston | 23-8 | 13-5 | 6-4 |
| Tulsa | 21-10 | 13-5 | 6-4 |
| Wichita State | 23-8 | 11-7 | 6-4 |
| UConn | 19-12 | 10-8 | 8-2 |
| Memphis | 21-10 | 10-8 | 5-5 |
| SMU | 19-11 | 9-9 | 4-6 |
| UCF | 16-14 | 7-11 | 5-5 |
| South Florida | 14-17 | 7-11 | 5-5 |
| Temple | 14-17 | 6-12 | 3-7 |
| East Carolina | 11-20 | 5-13 | 2-8 |
| Tulane | 12-18 | 4-14 | 2-8 |
Teams to watch
Cincinnati: Have the Bearcats done enough to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament? Despite claiming a share of the regular-season title, they'll want to improve their resume in the AAC tourney. Cincinnati has lost to four teams ranked outside KenPom's top 100.
Houston: Kelvin Sampson's incredible work with the Cougars continues. Houston ranked just 297th in experience this season but is a top-25 team in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Wichita State: The Shockers are a top-notch defensive squad, but they haven't had the offense to do better than 11-7 in conference play. They potentially need a run to the AAC championship game to feel confident about an at-large bid.
Players to watch
Precious Achiuwa, Memphis: The 6-foot-9 freshman thrived in a leading role after the departure of James Wiseman, averaging 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
Christian Vital, UConn: Vital could be the single most important player for any team in the conference. He averaged 24.6 points per game while guiding the Huskies to a five-game winning streak to end the season.
Atlantic 10
When: Wednesday, March 11 - Sunday, March 15
Where: Brooklyn, New York
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | 29-2 | 18-0 | 10-0 |
| Richmond | 24-7 | 14-4 | 9-1 |
| Rhode Island | 21-9 | 13-5 | 6-4 |
| Saint Louis | 23-8 | 12-6 | 7-3 |
| St. Bonaventure | 19-12 | 11-7 | 6-4 |
| Duquesne | 21-9 | 11-7 | 6-4 |
| Davidson | 16-14 | 10-8 | 6-4 |
| UMass | 14-17 | 8-10 | 5-5 |
| VCU | 18-13 | 8-10 | 2-8 |
| La Salle | 15-15 | 6-12 | 5-5 |
| George Washington | 12-19 | 6-12 | 2-8 |
| George Mason | 16-15 | 5-13 | 3-7 |
| Saint Joseph's | 6-25 | 2-16 | 2-8 |
| Fordham | 8-22 | 2-16 | 1-9 |
Teams to watch
Dayton: The Flyers are the only team in the country yet to lose in regulation - their only losses came in overtime against Kansas and Colorado. They make an incredible 62.3% of their 2-point attempts.
Richmond: The Spiders haven't been to an NCAA Tournament since a Sweet 16 run in 2011. They might need a couple of wins in Brooklyn to earn an at-large berth.
Davidson: Teams seeded third or worse have won the A-10 tourney six years running. Why not Davidson, the best 3-point team in the league?
Players to watch
Obi Toppin, Dayton: Among the future lottery pick's many accolades is the fact he leads the country in dunks.
Tre Mitchell, UMass: The Minutemen will be an interesting team next preseason thanks to Mitchell; the freshman averages 17.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
Big Sky
When: Wednesday, March 11 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Boise, Idaho
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington | 23-8 | 16-4 | 8-2 |
| Northern Colorado | 22-9 | 15-5 | 8-2 |
| Montana | 18-13 | 14-6 | 7-3 |
| Portland State | 18-14 | 12-8 | 8-2 |
| Montana State | 16-15 | 10-10 | 5-5 |
| Northern Arizona | 16-13 | 10-10 | 4-6 |
| Southern Utah | 16-15 | 9-11 | 3-7 |
| Weber State | 12-19 | 8-12 | 4-6 |
| Sacramento State | 15-14 | 8-12 | 4-6 |
| Idaho | 8-23 | 4-16 | 2-8 |
| Idaho State | 7-22 | 4-16 | 1-9 |
Teams to watch
Eastern Washington: Winners of seven straight, the Eagles won the Big Sky regular-season crown by playing fast and shooting a ton of 3-pointers.
Northern Colorado: The Bears force teams away from the 3-point line. Northern Colorado's opponents shoot just 23.5% of their field-goal attempts from beyond the arc, the lowest such mark in the nation.
Players to watch
Jonah Radebaugh, Northern Colorado: A 6-foot-3 senior, Radebaugh averaged 16.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game this season while posting seven double-doubles.
Sayeed Pridgett, Montana: Pridgett scored 27, 26, and 24 points over his final three regular-season games. The 6-foot-5 senior averages 19.8 points per game.
Big West
When: Thursday, March 12 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Anaheim
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 21-11 | 13-3 | 8-2 |
| Cal State Northridge | 15-17 | 10-6 | 7-3 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 21-10 | 10-6 | 8-2 |
| Hawaii | 17-13 | 8-8 | 3-7 |
| UC Davis | 14-18 | 8-8 | 6-4 |
| UC Riverside | 17-15 | 7-9 | 4-6 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 11-20 | 6-10 | 3-7 |
| Long Beach State | 11-21 | 6-10 | 4-6 |
| Cal Poly | 7-23 | 4-12 | 2-8 |
Teams to watch
UC Irvine: The Anteaters won a game in the NCAA tourney a year ago and dominated the Big West in the regular season. Teams shoot just 40.8% inside the arc against UC Irvine.
UC Santa Barbara: The Gauchos split their season series with UC Irvine and won eight of 10 after a 2-4 start to league play.
Players to watch
Lamine Diane, Cal State Northridge: The 6-foot-7 sophomore has only played in 18 games this season, but he's made them count. He scored at least 25 points in 12 games, including a 34-point, 15-rebound outing against Hawaii in the regular-season finale.
Evan Leonard, UC Irvine: The Anteaters are balanced and have a strong bench, but Leonard has been a standout of late, scoring in double digits in 16 of his last 17 games.
Conference USA
When: Wednesday, March 11 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Frisco, Texas
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Texas | 20-11 | 14-4 | 7-3 |
| Western Kentucky | 20-10 | 13-5 | 6-4 |
| Louisiana Tech | 22-8 | 13-5 | 7-3 |
| Charlotte | 16-13 | 10-8 | 4-6 |
| Marshall | 16-15 | 10-8 | 7-3 |
| FIU | 18-13 | 9-9 | 4-6 |
| UAB | 18-13 | 9-9 | 6-4 |
| Old Dominion | 13-18 | 9-9 | 5-5 |
| Florida Atlantic | 16-15 | 8-10 | 4-6 |
| UTEP | 17-14 | 8-10 | 5-5 |
| UTSA | 13-18 | 7-11 | 3-7 |
| Rice | 15-16 | 7-11 | 6-4 |
| Southern Miss | 9-22 | 5-13 | 3-7 |
| Middle Tennessee | 8-23 | 4-14 | 3-7 |
Teams to watch
North Texas: The Mean Green are the conference's best offensive team, scoring efficiently at all levels. North Texas also ranks 350th among 353 teams in adjusted tempo, according to KenPom.
Louisiana Tech: Despite nine consecutive winning seasons, the Bulldogs haven't been to an NCAA Tournament since 1991. They haven't lost a game in regulation since Feb. 6.
Players to watch
Jhivvan Jackson, UTSA: The Roadrunners might not last long in the conference tournament, but Jackson is worth a watch any time he takes the floor. He's averaged 27.2 points per game this season while making 676 field-goal attempts - a whopping 21.8 per tilt.
Javion Hamlet, North Texas: The 6-foot-4 junior is North Texas' top player, averaging 14.6 points and 4.7 assists per game.
Ivy
The Ivy League announced Tuesday it has canceled its men's and women's conference tournaments due to the ongoing coronavirus situation. Yale, the regular-season champion, receives the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
MAAC
When: Tuesday, March 10 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siena | 19-10 | 15-5 | 9-1 |
| Saint Peter's | 17-12 | 14-6 | 8-2 |
| Rider | 18-12 | 12-8 | 6-4 |
| Monmouth | 18-13 | 12-8 | 5-5 |
| Quinnipiac | 15-15 | 10-10 | 4-6 |
| Niagara | 11-20 | 9-11 | 4-6 |
| Iona | 11-16 | 9-11 | 6-4 |
| Fairfield | 12-19 | 8-12 | 3-7 |
| Manhattan | 12-17 | 8-12 | 3-7 |
| Canisius | 12-19 | 7-13 | 4-6 |
| Marist | 7-22 | 6-14 | 2-8 |
Teams to watch
Siena: The Saints haven't been to an NCAA Tournament since 2010 when they reached the end of a three-year run that included two wins in the Big Dance. Siena's won 12 of its last 13 games entering the MAAC tourney.
Iona: The Gaels might only be this tournament's 7-seed, but they've been one of the best teams in the league over the last month. Iona won six of its last 10 games after a slow start - with all four losses coming either by three points or less or in overtime.
Players to watch
Jalen Pickett, Siena: One of the best mid-major guards in the country, Pickett averaged 15.3 points and six assists per game this season.
Kevin Marfo, Quinnipiac: The 6-foot-8 Marfo is a rebounding machine. He led the country with 13.3 boards per game this season while averaging 10.2 points.
MAC
When: Monday, March 9; Thursday, March 12 - Saturday, March 14
Where: First round played at campus sites; quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship in Cleveland.
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference Record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 24-7 | 14-4 | 8-2 |
| Bowling Green | 21-10 | 12-6 | 5-5 |
| Ball State | 18-13 | 11-7 | 6-4 |
| Northern Illinois | 18-13 | 11-7 | 6-4 |
| Buffalo | 20-11 | 11-7 | 6-4 |
| Kent State | 19-12 | 9-9 | 4-6 |
| Toledo | 16-15 | 8-10 | 5-5 |
| Ohio | 16-15 | 8-10 | 6-4 |
| Central Michigan | 14-17 | 7-11 | 1-9 |
| Western Michigan | 13-18 | 6-12 | 4-6 |
| Eastern Michigan | 16-15 | 6-12 | 5-5 |
| Miami (Ohio) | 12-19 | 5-13 | 3-7 |
Teams to watch
Akron: The Zips are one of the most experienced teams in the country and have won eight of their last nine games.
Ball State: The Cardinals beat Georgia Tech in nonconference play and finished the regular season with four wins in their last five. They haven't been to the NCAA Tournament since 2000.
Players to watch
Loren Cristian Jackson, Akron: The 5-foot-8 junior leads the Zips with 19.8 points and 4.5 assists per game.
Marreon Jackson, Toledo: One of the most indispensable players in the MAC, Jackson increased his scoring from 11.7 to 19.7 points per game this season.
MEAC
When: Tuesday, March 10 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Norfolk, Virginia
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Central | 17-13 | 13-3 | 9-1 |
| North Carolina A&T | 16-15 | 12-4 | 7-3 |
| Norfolk State | 16-15 | 12-4 | 6-4 |
| Bethune Cookman | 16-14 | 10-6 | 7-3 |
| Florida A&M | 12-15 | 10-6 | 7-3 |
| Morgan State | 15-16 | 9-7 | 6-4 |
| Coppin State | 11-20 | 7-9 | 6-4 |
| South Carolina State | 11-17 | 6-10 | 2-8 |
| Delaware State | 5-25 | 4-12 | 2-8 |
| Maryland Eastern Shore | 5-26 | 4-12 | 3-7 |
| Howard | 3-28 | 1-15 | 1-9 |
Teams to watch
North Carolina Central: The league's most consistent program enters as the No. 1 seed as the Eagles shoot for a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament bid.
Norfolk State: The Spartans last won this tournament in 2012, when they went on to upset Missouri as a 15-seed in the Big Dance. They'll enjoy the advantage of playing in their home city.
Players to watch
Jibri Blount, North Carolina Central: The 6-foot-7 senior is flourishing in his first season as a starter, averaging 19.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
Damani Applewhite, South Carolina State: The 6-foot-8 senior is one of the conference's more efficient players and averages 13.9 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Southland
When: Wednesday, March 11 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Katy, Texas
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen F. Austin | 28-3 | 19-1 | 10-0 |
| Abilene Christian | 20-11 | 15-5 | 8-2 |
| Nicholls | 21-10 | 15-5 | 7-3 |
| Sam Houston State | 18-13 | 11-9 | 3-7 |
| Northwestern State | 14-15 | 11-9 | 6-4 |
| Lamar | 16-15 | 10-10 | 6-4 |
| McNeese State | 15-16 | 10-10 | 3-7 |
| Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 14-17 | 10-10 | 5-5 |
| Central Arkansas | 10-21 | 9-11 | 4-6 |
| Incarnate Word | 9-22 | 6-14 | 4-6 |
| New Orleans | 9-21 | 5-15 | 3-7 |
| Southeastern Louisiana | 8-23 | 5-15 | 2-8 |
| Houston Baptist | 4-25 | 4-16 | 2-8 |
Teams to watch
Stephen F. Austin: The Lumberjacks beat Duke, won 19 of 20 conference games … and still need to win the conference tournament to earn an NCAA bid. Stephen F. Austin leads the nation in forcing turnovers on 27.8% of opponents' possessions and ranks third in D-1 for offensive rebounding.
Abilene Christian: Last year's Southland champion forces the second-most turnovers of any team in the country. The Wildcats lost to Stephen F. Austin twice in the regular season by a combined 15 points.
Players to watch
Kevon Harris, Stephen F. Austin: The 6-foot-6 senior made 45.1% of his 3s in conference play.
Sha'markus Kennedy, McNeese State: Kennedy is a double-double machine, averaging 18.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
Sun Belt
When: Monday, March 9; Wednesday, March 11; Saturday, March 14 - Sunday, March 15
Where: Rounds 1 and 2, quarterfinals at campus sites; semifinals and championship in New Orleans
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | 21-10 | 15-5 | 7-3 |
| South Alabama | 20-11 | 13-7 | 8-2 |
| Texas State | 20-11 | 13-7 | 8-2 |
| Georgia State | 19-12 | 12-8 | 5-5 |
| Georgia Southern | 18-13 | 12-8 | 6-4 |
| Appalachian State | 17-14 | 11-9 | 6-4 |
| UT Arlington | 14-18 | 10-10 | 5-5 |
| Louisiana | 14-18 | 8-12 | 5-5 |
| Arkansas State | 16-16 | 8-12 | 1-9 |
| Coastal Carolina | 16-16 | 8-12 | 5-5 |
| Louisiana Monroe | 9-20 | 5-15 | 3-7 |
| Troy | 9-22 | 5-15 | 1-9 |
Teams to watch
Little Rock: The Trojans won a game in the NCAA Tournament four years ago with Chris Beard as their head coach. They won the league this season with an offense that led the conference in effective field-goal percentage (54.8).
Texas State: This looks like the Bobcats' best chance to earn a bid to the NCAA tourney since their last appearance in 1997. After a 1-4 start to conference play, they ended the season with 12 wins in 15 conference matchups.
Players to watch
Nijal Pearson, Texas State: The Bobcats are 11-4 when they get 20 or more points from Pearson, a 6-foot-5 senior averaging 19.3 points per game.
Kane Williams, Georgia State: The defending champion Panthers are a dangerous 4-seed partly because of Williams, who averages 14.6 points per game and gets to the free-throw line at a high rate.
SWAC
When: Tuesday, March 10; Friday, March 13 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Quarterfinals at campus sites; semifinals and championship in Birmingham, Alabama
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie View A&M | 18-13 | 14-4 | 8-2 |
| Southern | 16-15 | 13-5 | 8-2 |
| Texas Southern | 15-16 | 12-6 | 5-5 |
| Jackson State | 14-17 | 11-7 | 7-3 |
| Alcorn State | 15-14 | 11-7 | 5-5 |
| Grambling State | 17-14 | 11-7 | 7-3 |
| Alabama State | 8-23 | 7-11 | 4-6 |
| Alabama A&M | 8-21 | 5-13 | 3-7 |
| Arkansas Pine Bluff | 4-26 | 3-15 | 1-9 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 4-27 | 3-15 | 2-8 |
Teams to watch
Prairie View A&M: The Panthers force more turnovers than any other team in the SWAC. They're 31-5 in conference play over the last two seasons.
Southern: The Jaguars enter the tournament hot after winning seven in a row and 13 of 15. They foul at a higher rate than all but one team, though, and will need to correct that to survive in March.
Players to watch
Devonte Patterson, Prairie View A&M: The 6-foot-7 senior has one of the highest usage rates in the SWAC and averages 15.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Ivy Smith, Grambling State: Grambling State won eight of 11 to end the regular season, and Smith was a huge reason why. He averaged 13.8 points and five assists across those wins.
WAC
When: Thursday, March 12 - Saturday, March 14
Where: Las Vegas
Regular-season standings
| Team | Record | Conference record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico State | 25-6 | 16-0 | 10-0 |
| Cal Baptist | 21-10 | 10-6 | 6-4 |
| UT Rio Grande Valley | 14-16 | 9-7 | 8-2 |
| Kansas City | 16-14 | 8-7 | 7-3 |
| Seattle | 14-15 | 7-7 | 4-6 |
| Grand Canyon | 13-17 | 8-8 | 5-5 |
| Utah Valley | 11-19 | 5-10 | 3-7 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 12-19 | 6-10 | 2-8 |
| Chicago State | 4-25 | 0-14 | 0-10 |
Teams to watch
New Mexico State: The Aggies have won 34 consecutive conference games, including last year's conference tournament. New Mexico State is perhaps the biggest favorite to win a conference tourney in Division I.
Seattle: The Redhawks could be the top challengers to New Mexico State after losing both regular-season meetings with the Aggies by eight points. Seattle hasn't played since Feb. 29 after its final two games of the regular season were canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus.
Players to watch
Terrell Brown, Seattle: The 6-foot-1 junior averages 20.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.
Lesley Varner, UT Rio Grande Valley: Varner is peaking for the second-seeded Vaqueros, who are 8-3 when he scores at least 20 points.