2009 Conference Notes - AthlonSports.com

Big 12: League sees no Tournament surprises

There wasn’t a lot of suspense involving the Big 12 Conference on Selection Sunday. Six teams had reserved spots in the NCAA Tournament field even before the start of the league tournament, and that's exactly how it played out. Steve Walentik analyzes each team's chances.

Big Ten: Mixed emotions for league teams

Penn State fans aren’t happy, and Purdue fans are less-than-thrilled with a No. 5 seed, but the Big Ten landed seven teams in this field and, in many respects, that’s more than the conference probably deserves. Mike Beacom says the tournament shapers did well this year for the league.

ACC: Teams capable of Final Four run

The ACC received seven bids to this year's NCAA Tournament, a fair number for the strength of the conference this season. Nolan Hayes looks at the chances each team has of advancing in the bracket.

Pac-10: Arizona, USC give Pac-10 six entries

USC’s late push gave the Pac-10 six NCAA Tournament qualifiers, one or two more than most analysts envisioned for a league supposedly experiencing a significant dropoff from a banner season the year before. Dan Raley analyzes the chances of all six.

Big East: Three No. 1 seeds well deserved

Louisville followed up its Big East regular season championship by winning the Big East Tournament title. There's still one more tournament to win, however, but the Cardinals are feeling good after being one of three Big East teams to garner a No. 1 see.

SEC: Bulldogs crash party, give league 3 bids

Mississippi State needed a four-game run through the SEC Tournament to give the league its third bid into the NCAA Tournament. The conference received no respect from the committee, but sometimes the truth hurts.

Big Ten: Expect the unexpected

What has made the Big Ten so disappointing this season is what will make this conference tournament so exciting — anything can happen, and fans better expect the unexpected.

Big 12: Griffin headlines All-league awards

It seems every year another player comes along to make the Big 12 Conference into his own personal showcase. Two years, ago it was Kevin Durant. Last year, Michael Beasley. This time, it's Blake Griffin, who averaged a league-leading 22.1 points and 14.2 rebounds.

ACC: Season awards and tournament picks

The wild ACC boasts one of the strongest leagues in the country but there's a possibility it could only have five or six teams in the NCAAs. Nolan Hayes recaps the ACC season, hands out awards and makes his ACC Tournament selection.

Pac-10: League's teams will surprise in NCAAs

Pac-10 basketball must be down. It barely made a dent in the rankings all season. It won’t last long in the NCAA Tournament. The Pac-10 might as well be the pack-it-in conference. Not so fast. Dan Raley says the teams from the West are tougher than they are given credit.

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