Conference Play is Here -- Conference Champion Predictions for College Hoops

We are nearing the end of the non-conference schedule in College Hoops -- which means Conference Play is underway and nearly in full blast. I love Conference play when the rivalry games begin, the pressure turns up because there's fewer low-stress games, and we start to see what our teams are really made of. In today's blog, I'm going to go through some predictions for who I think will win each of the bigger conferences. I won't be diving into every conference -- just the ones I care most about, and the ones that I think have teams that will make some noise come March.

Atlantic 10

Champion: Saint Louis U

Runners-Up: St. Bonaventure

I've written about SLU at length in a pair of recent blogs -- so I won't be long-winded here. While I do not think they've done the greatest job of preparing themselves in the non-conference schedule for some tougher games in the A-10 -- I do still believe SLU is the best and deepest team in the conference. Robbie Avila showed last year he can dominate A-10 games, Amari McCottry looks ready for a breakout, Dion Brown has been terrific, Trey Green and Ishan Sharma are sharp-shooters -- and there's plenty more depth on this Billikens team. Dayton, VCU, St. Bonaventure, George Mason and George Washington will push them -- but I like the Bills when it's all said and done.

ACC

Champion: UNC

Runners-up: Duke

Getting my homer picks out of the way early. I came across a graphic on Twitter the other day of this list of 10-12 experts giving Final 4 predictions. Saw the usual suspects like Michigan and Houston and Gonzaga -- and there was no shortage of Duke picks as well. But what offended me was seeing multiple Louisville picks, and even a Virginia -- but zero UNC's. That just tells me how overlooked this team is, and how many people they're going to shock. With Seth Trimble back from injury as a veteran, elite-athleticism guard that can get to the rim and stretch the floor, the backcourt is trending up for the Heels. Not to mention the best Frontcourt in all of College Basketball in Henri Veesaar and freshman phenom Caleb Wilson. The supporting cast will continue to get comfortable, and the Tar Heels will be a team no one wants to see come February.

Big Ten

Champion: Illinois

Runners-up: Michigan

The top-heavy Big Ten is ripe with choices to win the Conference as they have a handful of the heaviest hitters in the country to choose from. If you have watched clips from our Four Corners show, you know I'm not a fan of Michigan -- and I like what Nebraska has cooking. But there's also Michigan State, Purdue, UCLA, and more. But as daunting as this Michigan Team is, I'm rolling with the Fightin' Illini. I think they're one of the few teams that can go toe-to-toe with UM in the frontcourt with the Ivisic brothers and Freshman David Mirkovic. I really like their backcourt of Kyle Boswell and Keaton Wagler, and I think Andrej Stojakovic is one of the most talented scorers in the conference. They'll need to make shots and they're definitely inconsistent -- but if they get hot, I love this team's ceiling.

Big 12

Champion: Iowa State

Runners-up: Arizona

The best conference in all of College Basketball this season is the Big 12. And I don't think it's even debatable. They have 5 teams that I think have a reasonable shot at winning a National Title this year -- at least 1 more on the fringe -- and their worst teams are still pretty damn solid. They currently have the #1, #3, #7, #8, #15, and #17 teams in the country, and that doesn't even include Baylor or 11-1 teams Oklahoma State and UCF. I always seem to default to Houston when it's a tight race at the top -- and I think Arizona is a very special team that's won every test they've encountered so far -- but so has Iowa State, and I think in many ways they're becoming the new Houston. TJ Otzelberger is a hell of a coach, and his defenses are something to fear every year. He also does a great job of retaining talent: Milan Momcilovic (the best shooter in CBB), Tamin Lipsey (the best defensive guard), Josh Jefferson (versatile point-forward) -- and he's also picked up a great freshman in Kilyan Toure.

Big East

Champion: UConn

Runners-up: St. John's

It's a down year in the Big East after a stretch of seasons where it felt like they were a Top 2-3 conference in the country. But it's not a down year for UConn -- who is once again a National Title threat who battled through a gauntlet non-con to a 12-1 record today. They've beat Illinois, the defending champs Florida, Kansas, BYU, and Texas -- while their lone loss was by 4 to Arizona without Tarris Reed. Alex Karaban and Solo Ball bring experience in the system to this year's team, while transfers Silas Demary Jr. and Malachi Smith have provided some solidity to the backcourt. If Reed can stay healthy, this team's top 5-6 can beat anyone.

Big West

Champion: Hawaii

Runners-up: UC San Diego

Is this the year we see a 2-bid Big West? No, probably not. But they do have some very solid teams like defending champs UC San Diego. But I think this could be the year of the Rainbow Warriors. They played Oregon and Arizona State super close, have some solid wins on the resume, and have a some really good players in 7-footer Isaac Johnson, Dre Bullock, Harry Rouhiladaff, Gytis Nemeiksa, and Hunter Erickson.

Conference USA

Champion: Liberty

Runners-up: Who Cares

My only interest in CUSA lies in Missouri State playing in the conference now -- but they suck frankly. And I don't think Liberty is incredible -- but they could make noise in March the way they shoot the ball. Brett Decker Jr. leads the country in 3PM per game at a 53% clip, Kaden Metheny's been 13+ ppg for three straight years, Collin Porter's 40%+ from deep, and Zach Cleveland is one of the most interesting players in the country -- averages 9.5 ppg, 9 rpg, and 7.6 assists a night, 3rd best in the country.

Ivy League

Champion: Yale

Runners-up: Columbia

Yale isn't just good for the Ivy League -- they're legit good. This is a team that can win a couple games in March. Nick Townsend is an all-around stud -- 17/7.5/5, 53/54/78 splits with 20 made 3's. Isaac Celiscar is another standout averaging 14/5/3 and shooting 60% from the field. Riley Fox is a sharpshooter at 43% and 12 ppg, and they have a rim-protector in Samson Aletan. They play Bama Monday Night after I've written this, which should be a good gauge of where they are on the National Stage.

Mid-American

Champion: Kent State

Runners-up: Akron

The MAC should be one of the more interesting mid-majors to keep an eye on this season, as they have 4-5 teams with their eyes set on a conference title. Miami OH is undefeated -- 13-0 -- and they shoot the lights out -- 95 ppg as a team and nearly 44% from 3 as a team (against bad non-con opponents). Buffalo's off to a hot start at 11-2, Bowling Green's at 11-3 with a win at Kansas State on the resume. But I think it comes down to Akron and Kent. Akron's battled teams like Purdue in the non-con and have a 20 ppg/5 apg guy in Tavari Johnson. But I love Kent State's big man Delrecco Gillespie -- leads the country in rebounding at 12.6 a night, 19+ ppg, 2 blocks, and they shoot it well as a team.

Missouri Valley

Champion: Murray State

Runners-up: Belmont

The Mo Valley's always a fun conference to keep tabs on, and they've got several good teams that could win it. Bradley was popular preseason pick, Illinois State's very well-balanced, Northern Iowa's got 6'6-6'8 wings for days. And I'm not a huge Belmont guy, but they have one of the best players in the MVC in Tyler Lundblade, and sit at 12-1 on the year. But for my money, Murray State is the best team in the MVC. With Creighton transfers Fred King (13/8) and Mason Miller (50% 3pt), Javon Jackson (16 ppg), French Freshman Roman Domon, JJ Traynor, and Layne Taylor -- an exciting PG to watch from C-Ark.

Mountain West

Champion: Utah State

Runners-up: San Diego State

The last year of the Mountain West as we know it before several teams dart off to new conferences -- but hopefully will have a competitive race for the MW title. Utah State is the team to beat -- Vandy/Va Tech transfer MJ Collins Jr. is averaging 20+ ppg and Mason Falslev is one of the most under-rated players in the country. But New Mexico hasn't lost in a month, Grand Canyon has lots of intriguing transfers, Nevada's starting to heat up, and SDSU is a sleeping giant who had a rocky first month.

SEC

Champion: Florida

Runners-Up: Vanderbilt

They were the most dominant conference maybe in the history of CBB a season ago, and while they're still undoubtedly a Top 3 conference this season -- there's more unknown in the SEC this year. The defending National Champs Florida got off to a choppy start -- sitting at 8-4 playing a gauntlet -- but have one of the best frontcourts in CBB. Alabama is reloaded and have an uber-talented scorer in LaBaron Philon (22 ppg). Arkansas is rounding into form, Vandy is undefeated and are mauling everyone they play, Georgia has snuck into the Top 25 -- and we haven't even mentioned Tennessee, Kentucky, or Auburn.

To me, this is the most wide open conference from top to bottom, but I have a very difficult time picking against Florida -- despite their flaws in the backcourt. Bama wouldn't shock me either the way they score the ball -- but my runner-up pick is the team I like watching most, and that's Vandy.

Southland

Champion: SF Austin

Runners-up: McNeese

There's only 2 teams worth keeping an eye on in the Southland, but both are very strong mid-majors. McNeese lost their coach but have a stud freshman in Larry Johnson -- 16.6 ppg. But I've watched a couple SF Austin games and love this squad -- led by Keon Thompson (17.5/6/4.5) and Lateef Patrick (16 ppg). And they have the country's best rim protector thus far in Jerald Colonel at nearly 4 blocks a game.

Summit League

Champion: St. Thomas MN

Runners-up: North Dakota State

I like watching St. Thomas (MN) when they're on TV quite a bit because they have one of the most fun-to-watch players in CBB: Nolan Minessale. 6th in the nation in scoring at 22.3 ppg, doesn't shoot it all that well but is dynamic getting to the hoop and throwing down. Nick Janowski is also a solid player and they have Tyler Herro's brother Austin. They don't have a ton of depth or size which will probably cause them to struggle, but they're a great team to watch.

WAC

Champion: Gonzaga

Runners-up: St. Mary's

You can book these 2 teams at the top of the WAC every year, but I think this season is a Gonzaga year. Their frontcourt is so damn good with Graham Ike and Braden Huff, I love Tyon Grant-Foster, their freshman guard Mario Saint-Supery is fun to watch. Saint Mary's will hold their own against them with their star 6'8 Paulius Murauskas (18/7.5/2), Mikey Lewis, Joshua Dent, and big man Andrew McKeever (7'2) -- but it's the Zags. Shoutout Santa Clara, San Francisco, and Seattle U as well -- all having solid seasons.