Who’s Going to Cut Down the Nets? Power Conferences Tournament Predictions

It’s that time of year again. It’s March, but before we start the madness, we need to get through the conference tournaments. Yet, fear not, as these are often just as exciting as the big shebang a week later. In this article, we are going to give you a primer of who we think has the best shot to win each of the Power Conference tournaments. Hopefully, this list gives you a team to root for or against. 

Big 12: Houston Cougars

We’re starting off our list with chalk. But not the Rock Chalk, Jayhawk kind. The Cougars are going bird-hunting and beating Kansas in the final. Kelvin Sampson has his team flying high, winning 23 of its last 24. Houston is traditionally known for its defense, and this year, they combine that with a high-level offense, and that is why they are going to cut down the nets. 

Big East: St. John’s Red Storm

For the Big East, there is a storm brewing as the Red Storm are ready to run roughshod in the tournament. In a conference with the two-time defending national champion UConn. It's a testament to the job that second-year coach Rick Pitino has done in his latest stop that the Johnnies finished with the best record in regular season play. That, combined with the tournament in Madison Square Garden, gives St. John’s homecourt advantage and the edge to cut the nets when all is said and done. 

Big Ten: Michigan Wolverines

Here we go, the first deviation from the odds-on favorites. In February, the Wolverines looked like the best team in the conference. Additionally, they performed extremely well in close games, as they won nine in a row when the game was decided by less than five points. The Big Ten, as much as any other conference in college basketball, has teams beating up on each other night after night. This holds true in the tournament, with any of the teams being able to win it all. The Big Ten can boast that it has nine teams with over 19 wins. It’s because of this that we’re going with the Wolverines to cut down the nets. 

Atlantic Coast Conference: Duke Blue Devils

Duke is easily the heaviest favorite of any team in any conference. They have been arguably the best team in the country during the regular season. Led by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg they have the talent to storm through the ACC tournament as well as the National. There isn’t a team in the ACC on Duke’s level, which is why the Blue Devils will be cutting down the nets.

Southeastern Conference: Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama isn’t just a football school, as Nate Oats has built up their basketball program into a powerhouse. His emphasis on shooting from the perimeter gives the Tide the offensive firepower to run with anyone as they lead the SEC in three-pointers made. The SEC boasts the deepest conference in college basketball, with 11 teams over 20 wins. The odds are that the team with the best record, Auburn, isn’t going to win. Now it comes down to who in the field has the best chance, and that is Alabama. They recently went on to Auburn’s court and were able to walk away with the win in overtime. Those reasons are why Alabama is going to be cutting down the nets.