We are officially less than a week away from Selection Sunday! We already have four teams that have locked in their place in the Big Dance with 64 teams to go. This is the week of non-stop, blink and you miss it basketball action. Wednesday-Saturday you can basically watch basketball from 11 AM until well after Midnight. There should be some high quality basketball played throughout the week so let's not delay anymore and get into it.
Autobids
Conference Profiles
The following teams have already received automatic bids for the NCAA Tournaments: Liberty Flames (Atlantic Sun), Winthrop Eagles (Big South), Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (Missouri Valley), Morehead State Eagles (Ohio Valley)
Conference Profiles
Times Listed are in EST
America East
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 11 AM - ESPN 2
- Tournament Dates: 2/27-8, 3/6, 3/13
- Tournament Location: Campus Sites
- Thoughts: For more in-depth thoughts on this conference please see Vol. 1.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Hartford Hawks
- Troy's Predicted Winner: UMass-Lowell Riverhawks
American
- Championship Info: Sunday 3/14 @ 3:15 PM - ESPN
- Tournament Dates: 3/11-14
- Tournament Location: Fort Worth, Texas
- Thoughts: The AAC is the conference that one Selection Sunday I always find myself thinking, "Oh year you're still playing." Awkwardly placed up against the Big Ten as the final league to hold their championship game the AAC will probably come down to Houston, Wichita State, and Memphis.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Houston Cougars
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Houston Cougars
Atlantic Coast
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 8:30 PM - ESPN
- Tournament Dates: 3/9-13
- Tournament Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
- Thoughts: The ACC has been surrounded all year about talks about Duke having a down year rather than teams that actually play good basketball. I'm personally sick of it. Virginia is a decent team. Florida State is really good. Virginia Tech and Clemson are really fun teams. As Tony Stark once said, "It's not about how much we lost. It's about how much we have left."
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Virginia Cavaliers
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Florida State Seminoles
Atlantic 10
- Championship Info: Sunday 3/14 @ 1 PM - CBS
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-14
- Tournament Location: Richmond, Virginia
- Thoughts: For more in-depth thoughts on this conference please see Vol. 1.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: St. Bonaventure Bonnies
- Troy's Predicted Winner: St. Bonaventure Bonnies
Big East
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 6:30 PM - Fox
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-13
- Tournament Location: New York City, New York
- Thoughts: The Big East was the final conference to cancel their tournament last year and decided to do so at halftime of a game. Now Big East basketball is back in Madison Square Garden which is home to some great moments as that time Reggie Miller destroyed the homes and dreams of thousands of Knicks fans or the time Michael Jordan dominated the Knicks or that other time LeBron James dominated the Knights. No I am not biased against the Knicks.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: UConn Huskies
- Troy's Predicted Winner: UConn Huskies
Big Sky
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 8 PM - ESPN U
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-13
- Tournament Location: Boise, Idaho
- Thoughts: Wide open spaces and picturesque views are what you'll get out of the Big Sky. Hopefully you'll also get some good basketball. Eastern Washington, Southern Utah, and Weber State finished at the top of the league and are the expected favorites to win the tournament.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Weber State Wildcats
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Eastern Washington Eagles
Big Ten
- Championship Info: Sunday 3/14 @ 3:30 PM - CBS
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-14
- Tournament Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Thoughts: For a full preview of the Big Ten please see the latest edition of This B1G Week.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Illinois Fighting Illini
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Illinois Fighting Illini
Big 12
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 6 PM - ESPN
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-13
- Tournament Location: Kansas City, Missouri unless the Missouri River changes course then it's Kansas City, Kansas
- Thoughts: The Big 12 is the conference, non-Big Ten division, that I'm most looking forward to watching. The league will send seven teams dancing and all of them have a good chance to go far. Baylor is obviously the best team in the league but they'll get a very strong challenge in this tournament.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Baylor Bears
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Baylor Bears
Big West
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 11:30 PM - ESPN 2
- Tournament Dates: 3/9, 3/11-13
- Tournament Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Thoughts: The Big West is the tournament when I have to come to my senses and say I'm not staying up that late to watch this championship final. I'm not sure if the team that'll be playing while I'm snoozing will be UC Santa Barbara or UC Irvine but I do know I'll watch up the following morning ready to figure it out.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: UC Irvine Anteaters
- Troy's Predicted Winner: UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Colonial
- Championship Info: Tuesday 3/9 @ 7 PM - CBS Sports
- Tournament Dates: 3/6-9
- Tournament Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Thoughts: For more in-depth thoughts on this conference please see Vol. 1.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Hofstra Pride
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Northeastern Pride
Conference USA
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 9 PM - CBS Sports
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-13
- Tournament Location: Frisco, Texas
- Thoughts: Conference USA should be an interesting one to watch this year. Western Kentucky was on the forefront of a lot of people's minds back in November when they made it to the championship game of the Battle For Atlantis, South Dakota. The Hilltoppers set themselves up well to make the Big Dance by winning this tournament.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Horizon
- Championship Info: Tuesday 3/9 @ 7 PM - ESPN
- Tournament Dates: 2/25, 3/2, 3/8-9
- Tournament Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Thoughts: For more in-depth thoughts on this conference please see Vol. 1.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Cleveland State Vikings
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Cleveland State Vikings
Metro-Atlantic
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 4 PM - ESPN U
- Tournament Dates: 3/8-13
- Tournament Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Thoughts: Home to some of the most "That's A Weird Name For A School" schools. Siena is the favorite but could have the league title stripped out of their hands by the Rick Pitino led Iona team. Pun very much intended.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Iona Gaels
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Siena Saints
Mid-American
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 7:30 PM - ESPN 2
- Tournament Dates: 3/11-13
- Tournament Location: Cleveland, OH
- Thoughts: Who's ready for some MACTION? Fun fact the MAC's OFFICIAL website is getsomemaction.com. Toledo has been a very good team this year in the MAC but there are a couple teams below them, namely Buffalo, who can win this thing.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Toledo Rockets
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Buffalo Bulls
Mid-Eastern
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 1 PM - ESPN 2
- Tournament Dates: 3/7-8, 3/11-13
- Tournament Location: Campus Sites, Norfolk, Virginia
- Thoughts: The MEAC should be a three-horse race between Norfolk State, Coppin State, and North Carolina A&T State. Some other teams such as Morgan State has a chance to make a run but I think it'll come down to those three.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Norfolk State Spartans
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Norfolk State Spartans
Mountain West
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 1 PM - ESPN 2
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-13
- Tournament Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Thoughts: The Mountain West is full of teams that could make the NCAA Tournament but also could fall short. With as many bubble teams as there are in the league I expect it to be a very competitive tournament.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: San Diego State Aztecs
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Utah State Aggies
Northeast
- Championship Info: Tuesday 3/9 @ 7 PM - ESPN 2
- Tournament Dates: 3/6, 3-9
- Tournament Location: Campus Sites
- Thoughts: For more in-depth thoughts on this conference please see Vol. 1.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Mount Saint Mary's Mountaineers
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Mount Saint Mary's Mountaineers
PAC 12
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 10:30 PM - ESPN
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-13
- Tournament Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Thoughts: The PAC-12 is headlined by four teams that I would anticipate make the tournament but will need to not pick up a bad lose in this tournament. UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Colorado is the pairing that will likely produce a winner from this league.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: UCLA Bruins
- Troy's Predicted Winner: USC Trojans
Patriot
- Championship Info: Sunday 3/14 @ Noon - CBS Sports
- Tournament Dates: 3/6, 3/10, 3/14
- Tournament Location: Campus Sites
- Thoughts: For more in-depth thoughts on this conference please see Vol. 1.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Colgate Raiders
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Colgate Raiders
Southern
- Championship Info: Monday 3/8 @ 7 PM - ESPN
- Tournament Dates: 3/5-8
- Tournament Location: Asheville, North Carolina
- Thoughts: For more in-depth thoughts on this conference please see Vol. 1.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: UNC Greensboro Spartans
- Troy's Predicted Winner: UNC Greensboro Spartans
Southeastern
- Championship Info: Sunday 3/14 @ 1 PM - ESPN
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-14
- Tournament Location: Nashville, Tennessee
- Thoughts: The SEC has been surprising this year for both good and bad reasons. Tennessee was picked preseason to one of the nation's best but have been just average this year. Kentucky has been miserable by every standard. On the other end Alabama has been fantastic this year and Arkansas is entering this tournament has one of the hottest teams in the country.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Alabama Crimson Tide
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Arkansas Razorbacks
Southland
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 9:30 PM - ESPN 2
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-13
- Tournament Location: Katy, Texas
- Thoughts: The Southland has been very top heavy this year with four teams (Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, Abiline Christian, and Nicholls State) clearly outpacing the rest of the league. It'll be very unfortunate next season once three out of four of those teams leave for the WAC.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Abilene Christian Wildcats
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Abilene Christian Wildcats
Summit
- Championship Info: Tuesday 3/9 @ 9 PM - ESPN 2
- Tournament Dates: 3/6-9
- Tournament Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Thoughts: For more in-depth thoughts on this conference please see Vol. 1.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: South Dakota State Jackbunnies
- Troy's Predicted Winner: South Dakota State Jackbunnies
Sun Belt
- Championship Info: Monday 3/8 @ 7 PM - ESPN 2
- Tournament Dates: 3/5-8
- Tournament Location: Pensacola, Florida
- Thoughts: For more in-depth thoughts on this conference please see Vol. 1.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Georgia State Panthers
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Georgia State Panthers
Southwestern
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 6 PM - ESPN U
- Tournament Dates: 3/10-13
- Tournament Location: Birmingham, Alabama
- Thoughts: In that great Southwest state of Alabama a champion will be crowned. Due to the cancel of some games, the SWAC will enter their tournament with two undefeated teams. This is rare and funky and I'm here for it. The two unbeaten teams, Prairie View A&M and Jackson State, will be the favorites.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Jackson State Tigers
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Prairie View A&M Panthers
WAC
- Championship Info: Saturday 3/13 @ 10 PM - ESPN U
- Tournament Dates: 3/11-13
- Tournament Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Thoughts: Things are going to get WAC-ky. The WAC will have the smallest tournament where they bring every eligible team. The WAC has three different teams that are transitioning to Division 1 and thus not eligible for post-season play (bite me NCAA) plus Chicago State opted out of the rest of the season right before the conference started. Just as they did for the regular season, things will most likely come down to Grand Canyon and Utah Valley. Don't be surprised if New Mexico State ends up winning it as they've done the past three tournaments and 7 out of the last 8 tournaments and 8 out of the last 10 tournaments.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Grand Canyon Antelopes
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Grand Canyon Antelopes
West Coast
- Championship Info: Tuesday 3/9 @ 9 PM - ESPN
- Tournament Dates: 3/4-6, 3/8-9
- Tournament Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Thoughts: For more in-depth thoughts on this conference please see Vol. 1.
- Grant's Predicted Winners: Gonzaga Bulldogs
- Troy's Predicted Winner: Gonzaga Bulldogs
Championship Game Schedule
Monday 3/8
- Southern - 7 PM - ESPN
- Sun Belt - 7 PM - ESPN 2
Tuesday 3/9
- Colonial - 7 PM - CBS Sports
- Horizon - 7 PM - ESPN
- Northeast - 7 PM - ESPN 2
- Summit - 9 PM - ESPN 2
- West Coast - 9 PM - ESPN
Saturday 3/13
- American East - 11 AM - ESPN 2
- MEAC - 1 PM - ESPN 2
- MAAC - 4 PM - ESPN U
- Big 12 - 6 PM - ESPN
- Mountain West - 6 PM - CBS
- SWAC - 6 PM - ESPN U
- Big East - 6:30 PM - Fox
- MAC - 7:30 PM - ESPN 2
- Big Sky - 8 PM - ESPN U
- ACC - 8:30 PM - ESPN
- Conference USA - 9 PM - CBS Sports
- Southland - 9:30 PM - ESPN 2
- WAC - 10 PM - ESPN U
- PAC-12 - 10:30 PM - ESPN
- Big West - 11:30 PM - ESPN 2
Sunday 3/14
- Patriot League - Noon - CBS Sports
- Atlantic 10 - 1 PM - CBS
- SEC - 1 PM - ESPN
- AAC - 3:15 PM - ESPN
- Big Ten - 3:30 PM - CBS
To stay up to date on the newest Head in the Game articles (and general sports commentary), follow @headingameblog on Twitter. You can also find us on Twitter @T_RoyStory (Troy) and @G_Tingley (Grant)
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