My Conference Tournament Predictions

ACC Tournament:  #1 Seed North Carolina vs #2 Seed Duke in ACC Final

This is a matchup made in North Carolina basketball heaven.  North Carolina/Duke, is there any bigger rivalry, not just in college basketball, but in sports.  In a rivalry that has seen its share of classic matchups, this should be one of the best.  Both teams are led by extremely talented players, Duke's Nolan Smith & Kyle Singler, and North Carolina's Tyler Zeller and Freshman standout Harrison Barnes.  At the beginning of the year, Duke was rolling, while UNC was barely holding on.  However, in ACC play the Tar Heels stepped it up, beating Duke in the last game of both teams' regular season to win the ACC regular season title.  However, in the ACC tournament, Duke nor Carolina may have many challenges, with the exceptions of possibly Florida State, Clemson, or Boston College.  However, I believe this two meeting in the ACC Championship is inevitable, with this being a "down year" for the ACC.  In the end, I believe Nolan Smith and Duke are too much, with their experience, and clearly their talent.  Duke wins this game, but it will come down to the last minute or two.

Predicition:  Duke wins




Big East Tournament:  #4 Seed Syracuse vs #3 Seed Louisville in Big East Final

This Big East Tournament has been one of the most unpredictable in recent years.  From South Florida's upset over Villanova, to the controversial finish to the Sutgers-St. John's game, to Kemba Walker's game winning buzzer beater over Pitt in the Quarterfinals, nobody really knows what to expect.  However, I believe there are no stronger two teams left in this field than Louisville and Syracuse.  Despite Syracuse having an inconsistent season this year, they are still, in my opinion, one of the more talented teams in this conference.  The saem can be said for Louisville.  Led by Preston Knowles, Louisville should easily roll by a Marquette team that I believe is overrated, as well as a Notre Dame team that is a one man army.

Prediction:  Syracuse wins




Big Ten Tournament:  #1 Seed Ohio State vs #2 Seed Purdue in Big Ten Final

The Big Ten has been one of the more competitive conferences all season long, with no game being an automatic victory.  However, even with that, Ohio State has rolled through the year with a 29-2 record (both losses coming in conference play).  OSU lost a game to Wisconsin in Madison, then went to West Lafayette and fell to the Boilermakers.  These are two teams, that, depending on the pairings, may very well meet in the Final Four.  Led by Big Ten Player of the Year Jajuan Johnson, the Boilermakers have depth as well, starting with 5'7" Lewis Jackson, as well as Et'waun Moore.  However, Ohio State may have the best starting five in America.  With Buford, Lighty, Diebler, Sullinger, and Lauderdale, there are five guys who can rip your heart out in a matter of seconds.  This game should come down to the wire, but I think Diebler's shooting will make the difference.

Predicition:  Ohio State wins




Big 12 Tournament:  #1 Seed Kansas vs #2 seed Texas in Big 12 Final

Last year, the Longhorns, after their brief stint atop the College Basketball landscape at #1, fell to Baylor in the Big 12 tournament before having Ishmael Smith knock them out with a last second shot in the first round of the NCAAs.  However, this year's Texas team is much different.  This year, although they have no superstars, Texas is a well rounded bunch that seems very consistent.  In spite of losing games to Kansas State and Colorado late in the year, the Longhorns have rolled through "elite" conference opponenets such as Missouri, Texas A&M, as well as the Jayhawks of Kansas.  With Balbay being one of three seniors on the team, his leadership is defenitely a factor, as well as the play of J'Covan Brown, Jordan Hamilton, and Tristan Thompson.  Kansas, however, is no slouch of a team either.  Leading the nation in assists per game as well as field goal %, the Jayhawks should not be overlooked on the defensive end of the floor.  Their suffocating defense makes it hard for teams to move the ball, one of the main reasons that they are #2 in the country currently.  Another reason may be the Morris twins.  Averaging 30.8 of Kansas's 83 points per game, Markieff and Marcus are defenitely a force to be reckoned with underneath.  In this game, I believe Kansas has too many weapons, including on the perimeter, for Texas to handle.  Kansas wins because of a run late in the game. 

Prediction:  Kansas wins




Pac-10 Tournament:  #1 Seed Arizona vs #3 Seed Washington in Pac-10 Final

Although I hate picking against my Trojans, I just had to do it in this one.  Why?  Derrick Williams is simply too good.  Along with having the  highest Player Efficiency Rating in College Basketball, he will be a definite lottery pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, and is arguably the best player in the country.  With a scorer's mentality, he will defentiely do damage at the next level.  However, I have to go with Isaiah Thomas and Washington in this game.  Why?  For a few reasons, actually.  First, Isaiah Thomas can score at will.  Although he only stands at a mere five feet nine inches tall, he can get to the rim with relative ease.  Next, Washington has three players averaging in double figures.  Even if all three of them have an off night, Abdul Gaddy, like he did early in the year before his injury, can put the ball in the hoop.  I just believe that in this game, Washington is too complete of a basketball team for the Arizona one man show.  Expect Washington to win suprisingly handily. 

Predicition:  Washington wins




SEC Tournament:  East #2 Seed Kentucky vs East #1 Seed Florida in SEC Final

Alabama fans, don't worry too much.  Your team should easily roll past Georgia, which should be enough to get them in, even if they lose to a, quite frankly more talented Wildcat team in the Conference Semi-Finals.  While Kentucky should easily roll to the championship game, expect Florida to have a much tougher time, first with a hungry Ole Miss team, then with a talented bunch of Commodores.  Honestly, this title game will come down to who can hit the big shot at the end of the game.  With both teams having scorers (each team has four players averaging double figures), I think that this will ultimately come down to who can make the big play at the end.  I believe that Jones, Knight, Lamb, Darius Miller, and DeAndre Liggins will simply be too much for the Gators.  Expect the game to be close, but for Kentucky to run away in the final few minutes.