AthlonSports.com - 2009 Conference Notes

Big 12: League sees no Tournament surprises

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:00:00 -0500

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

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:30:00 -0500

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

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:30:00 -0500

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

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0500

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

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0500

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

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:30:00 -0500

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

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0500

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

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:55:00 -0500

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

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:15:00 -0500

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

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:00:00 -0500

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.

SEC: Anybody could win league tournament

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:30:00 -0500

For a time, it looked as if LSU would steamroll through everyone. But, after losses to Vanderbilt and Auburn, even the Tigers look vulnerable And so, the door gets thrust open at this week's SEC Championship Tournament in Tampa.

Big East: Two Panthers lead All-Big East team

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:15:00 -0500

There's plenty of top 10 teams in the Big East and that's just one of the reasons Athlon's Big East player of the year is not the guy who led the conference in both scoring and rebounding.

Big Ten: Player of the Year?

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:19:35 -0600

Who will be the Big Ten Player of the Year for the 2008-09 season? With no obvious answer, the debate includes some unlikely but deserving candidates. Mike Beacom runs down that list in his weekly Big Ten Notebook.

Big 12: Aggies on the Bubble

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:15:03 -0600

No team in the Big 12 Conference has more at stake on the final weekend of the regular season than Texas A&M. Steve Walentik explores that and more in this week's Big 12 Notebook.

ACC: Will 8-8 be enough?

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:56:23 -0600

Will a .500 record in the ACC earn a tournament bid? Maryland, Miami and Virginia Tech certainly hope it's enough to go dancing.