The major conference tournaments are upon us!

It is the week where bubbles burst and other teams fit into Cinderella’s slipper, as underdogs dream of earning bids to the NCAA Tournament later this month.

It is also the time when storied programs make a run in their conference tournaments to solidify top seeds in each region.

Think back to last year, when Georgia came out of nowhere to win the SEC championship and steal an automatic berth.

Who will be this year’s Georgia and who are the teams to beat in each conference tournament?

 

Atlantic Coast Conference

Bubble game: No. 8 Virginia Tech vs. No. 9 Miami

The loser’s out, while the winner has a chance at playing No. 1 North Carolina. Miami has been underachieving all year, and Virginia Tech won in Miami earlier this year.

This year’s Georgia: No. 6 Boston College 

While the Eagles are a win away from locking up a bid, they could make a dangerous run in the tournament as they have beaten UNC and Duke this year. They also avoid the Tar Heels until the final game.

Champion: No. 1 North Carolina 

While I think it will be in for a fight in a couple games, North Carolina is a heavy favorite. The question will be how much it cares? If it does, the championship and No. 1 overall seed is the Tar Heels’.

 

Big East

Bubble game: No. 8 Providence vs. No. 9 Cincinnati or No. 16 DePaul; No. 8 Providence vs. No. 1 Louisville

Providence likely needs two wins to assure it an NCAA berth. A win over Cincy/DePaul would make it close, but beating the Cardinals would clinch it. (UPDATE: DePaul knocked off Cincinnati.)

This year’s Georgia: No. 12 Georgetown 

You could choose Notre Dame, too, as both teams have greatly underachieved. However, Georgetown gets St. John’s, Marquette (no Dominic James) and Villanova (whom it beat on road) in its first three games. 

Champion: No. 3 Connecticut

The Huskies pick and choose when they play, and the Big East Tournament is normally when they do. After losing to Pittsburgh twice this year, they will get revenge and beat whoever is left on the other end of the bracket.

 

Big Ten

Bubble games: No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 9 Northwestern; No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 5 Ohio State 

Minnesota needs the win to clinch a berth, while Northwestern needs to make a deep run. The Wisconsin-OSU winner will be in the dance, while the loser should be in as well, unless the game is a blowout.

This year’s Georgia: No. 7 Michigan

A bunch of teams could do the honors, but Michigan might have the best shot. After Iowa, it gets Illinois and Purdue. It has beaten both teams this year. It also avoids Michigan State until the finals.

Champion: No. 1 Michigan State

Despite a couple head-scratching conference losses, MSU has looked good against the top teams in the conference. If Sparty gets by the Minnesota-Northwestern winner, it should be golden.

 

Big 12

Bubble game:

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