NCAA Basketball: March Madness Starts Here!

It's finally March!

Every single sports fan in America knows what that means: March Madness!

Before you know it, everyone at your office will be running around, filling out brackets, and explaining their system as to why they are going to be the one taking home the cash this year.

But before we get to that point, we still have a major sporting event for the college basketball season: the Conference Championships.

It's here where every single school still has a chance to become this year's Cinderella, where dreams begin, and where you still have one more chance to watch your school beat down your arch rival.

Since tickets are not impossible to obtain and most of the events occur on the weekend, it makes for a great last minute sports road. We are aware that there are numerous basketball conference championships throughout the country, but we have only highlighted the big dogs.

Big Ten:

Where: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

When: March 11-14

What's to love: Smack dab in the middle of one of the most legendary basketball states (Indiana), Conseco Fieldhouse is often ranked as one of the top basketball facilities in the world. Built in 1999, it was designed to be a throwback arena.

The Big Ten host city not only will be home to this tournament, but also this year's Final Four. Big Ten alumni looking to move forward in their careers can attend the Big Ten Career Expo on March 10 before watching the games.

Tournament Website  

Big 12:

Where: Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO

When: March 10-13

What's to love: Kansas City is home to BBQ, Hallmark greeting cards, and the most progressive stadium design firm Populous (formally HOK). The Sprint Center is the new (2007) state of the art facility.

This handsome arena seats 18,500 for basketball. As a bonus, the arena is directly connected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Experience .

Tournament Website  

SEC:

Where: Sommet Center, Nashville, TN

When: March 11-14

What's to love: The Country music capital of America is undoubtedly Nashville, TN. Other area attractions include the massive Gaylord hotel complex , the Grand Old Opry, and the countless "honky tonk" bars that line the streets of Nashville.

The 19,395-seat Sommet Center might be better known as the Gaylord Center, but don't get used to the name. It's changing once again (Bridgestone Arena).

Tournament Website

ACC:

Where: Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, NC

When: March 11-14

What's to love: If you love the vinegar based North Carolina style BBQ , then Grennsboro is your kind of town.

Just down tobacco road sits the 23,500 seats that fill the Greensboro Coliseum. In the geographic center of the Atlantic Coastal Conference (North Carolina is home to four of the 12 ACC teams), the Coliseum is no stranger to the ACC championship spotlight, as it has hosted the event 20 times.

Tournament Website

Big East:

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

When: March 9-13

What's to love: Perhaps the world's most famous arena, MSG, as the locals call it, is in the heart of the Big Apple. To a basketball player, there is just something special about playing in this building. Transportation to the game is a cinch. Madison Square Garden is located directly above the country's busiest train station (Penn).

MSG has hosted practically everything, from Presidential elections to the circus, but it has been the home of the Big East Tournament since 1983.

Tournament Website

PAC-10:

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

When: March 10-13

What's to love: Home of the Los Angeles Lakers (and yes, the Clippers too) the Staples center can seat upwards of 18,997. As you know, going to an event at the Staples Center is special, as it's the showcase arena for the west coast.

You just never know who you will see here. The Staples Center is now part of the new LA Live Entertainment Center . There are enough bars, restaurants, and entertainment to keep you entertained between games.

Tournament Website

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