NCAA Tournament: 10 Things To Watch for in This Weekend's Conference Tournaments

The conference tournaments are well under way, and we have already seen some major upsets go down early on.

Pitt, who was tagged as a No. 1 seed going into the weekend, lost its first-round matchup against UConn. UCLA, who we thought might be in the No. 3 seed conversation, fell in its first-round game to a lousy Oregon team.

Everyone loves this time of year because really, anything can happen. That is the beauty of what we all know as "March Madness."

So what else should we be prepared for this weekend?

Let's break this down and take a look at 10 things to watch for in this weekend's conference tournaments.

10. Can Tennessee Get That Big SEC Win to Punch Its Ticket?

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 10: Scotty Hopson #32 of the Tennessee Volunteers shoots against Marshawn Powell #33 and Jemal Farmer #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first round of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Georgia Dome on March 10, 2011 in

When you look at those teams currently on the bubble, Tennessee looks close to a lock. However, one more win would assure it a spot in the field of 68.

Well, the Vols will get that chance against the top-ranked team in the SEC in Florida. The two teams will square off tonight in a quarterfinal game, and this would be a huge win for Bruce Pearl's team.

The two teams have already met up twice this season—the first game was won by Florida in overtime, and the second matchup was decided by just one point in regulation. This very well could be the best game in the SEC tournament, and it certainly has some tournament implications attached.

9. Can Anyone Beat Notre Dame?

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Ben Hansbrough #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish drives to the basket against Justin Jackson #5 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Larry Davis #11 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men'

As it stands right now, it would be fair to say that Notre Dame is playing the best basketball of any team in the Big East, and perhaps throughout the entire country.

Heading into this year, people expected the Irish to be good—but no one expected them to be this good.

Ben Hansbrough has developed into one of the top talents in the nation this year, and he has a strong supporting cast to help him. The Irish have won 12 of their last 13 games and will take on Louisville tonight in what should be a great game.

If Notre Dame can continue to keep this streak going and win the Big East Tournament, it should all but lock up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

8. Which Bubble Teams Will Get in from the ACC?

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 19: Demontez Stitt #2 of the Clemson Tigers handles the ball against the Missouri Tigers during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HSBC Arena on March 19, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart

Heading into the ACC tournament, there are four teams currently on the bubble, and chances are that at least one or two of them will be left out of the madness.

The beauty of this situation is that they play each other.

Florida State has the best chance of any ACC bubble team to get in, and it will go up against Virgina Tech tonight. If Florida State wins, it is in, and Virginia Tech's chances will take a hit.

The other game is Clemson vs. Boston College. This game is pretty simple in my opinion. The winner is in—the loser is out.

7. Will We See Another Battle of Tobacco Road?

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 05: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to running into Dexter Strickland #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 5, 2011 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Stree

The rivalry is back, and it has been nothing short of great this year.

After a few years of this rivalry not being so competitive, the North Carolina vs. Duke battle is back. Now everyone wants to see these two teams go at it one more time in the ACC championship game.

Duke topped UNC the first time these two teams met in mid February, but then Roy William's club won the one that mattered most, topping Duke in the regular season finale and securing the ACC title.

This is great for college basketball, and we can only hope that we get to see this rematch happen at least one more time this season.

6. How Will BYU Fare Without Brandon Davies?

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LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 05: Brandon Davies #0 of the Brigham Young University Cougars shoots against Derrick Jasper #5 of the UNLV Rebels during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center January 5, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. BYU won 89-77. (Photo by Ethan

Since BYU decided to dismiss Brandon Davies from its team, things haven't exactly been pretty.

Heading into last week, a lot of people had BYU pegged as a potential No. 1 seed. But after a loss to New Mexico and a shaky first-round 64-58 win over TCU, BYU just isn't involved at all in the No. 1 seed conversation.

Without its best post presence, this is a team that is clearly struggling. The rematch with New Mexico should tell us a lot about where BYU is heading into the NCAA tournament.

5. Will Jon Diebler Continue His Record Pace?

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COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 06: Jon Diebler #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after making a second half three point basket while playing the Wisconsin Badgers on March 6, 2011 at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won the game 93-65. (Photo

There isn't a player in the country right now better than Ohio State senior guard Jon Diebler.

Diebler has made 17 of his last 20 three-point shots, which is one of the most incredible stat lines in college basketball this season.

If Diebler can continue this pace, it is difficult to point out any team in college basketball that can beat Ohio State. When you combine Diebler's shooting with Jared Sullinger's dominant play down low, this team is near unbeatable when it's on.

The Buckeyes are just getting started against Northwestern. Make it rain, Jon Diebler. Make it rain.

4. Can Michigan State Keep Its NCAA Tournament Streak Alive?

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 10: Head coach Tom Izzo and Kalin Lucas #1 of the Michigan State Spartans talk on the sideline against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first round of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 10, 20

The Michigan State Spartans have been dancing in March for 13 straight years now, which is the third longest active streak in college basketball.

However, heading into this week, the Spartans find themselves in some unfamiliar territory, as they are fighting for their tournament lives.

With a win over Iowa yesterday, you have to believe that the Spartans should be in the tournament. But a win today against Purdue would certainly put Tom Izzo's club back into the Big Dance.

One thing is for sure: If Michigan State does make it into the field of 68, this is not a team that others want to see come tournament time. With six Final Fours in 12 years, no one wants to play the Spartans. Guaranteed.

3. Who Will Be the Most Unexpected Team to Win Its Conference Tournament?

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: Alec Burks #10 of the Colorado Buffaloes looks to move the ball as Devon Peterson #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats defends during their quarterfinal game in the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Cent

Could it be UConn, Colorado, New Mexico or Michigan?

All four of these teams are playing their best basketball at the perfect time of year, but do any of them have what it takes to shock the college basketball world and earn one of those automatic bids?

The way this year has been in college basketball, you really shouldn't count anyone out at this point.

2. How Far Can Kemba Walker Carry Connecticut?

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies dribbles the ball against Gilbert Brown #5 of the Pittsburgh Panthers during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at

Is there any player in the nation more exciting to watch than Kemba Walker?

He has had so many last-second heroics this season, and we all saw it again yesterday when Walker took out No. 1-seeded Pitt with a buzzer-beating fallaway jumper.

Now that the Huskies have knocked off the top-seeded Pitt Panthers, they will get a matchup against Syracuse, who looked great yesterday against St. John's.

If Walker can beat Pitt, he can beat Syracuse. Will it actually happen? We shall see.

1. Which Teams Will Secure No. 1 Seeds?

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 15: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts while playing the Michigan State Spartans on February 15, 2011 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

This has to be the biggest question coming into this weekend's conference tournaments.

As it stands right now, the only true lock for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament has to be Ohio State.

Kansas and Notre Dame look to be the next two potential No. 1 seeds. But if neither of them wins its conference tournament, that could all change. Other teams with a realistic possibility at getting a No. 1 seed include Pitt, Duke, North Carolina and Texas.

Pitt had the best chance of those four, but that first-round loss to UConn might really hurt its chances. If Duke and North Carolina face each other in the ACC title game, you have to believe that the winner of that matchup will strongly be considered for that final No. 1 seed.

All we can do now is sit back, enjoy the madness and wait to see how it all plays out. That is why this is the best time of year for a college basketball fan.