We're just about midway through the conference schedule in NCAA basketball, which means it's time for me to lay down my predictions for who will win the regular season title in each of the six major conferences. Tonight I will showcase the ACC and the Big East, tomorrow the Big Ten and Big 12, and then following that will be the SEC and Pac 10.We start with the ACC. The ACC is undisputably one of the top conferences in the nation. Duke is currently at the top of the standings, but has arguably the toughest schedule of the remaining power teams, which include the Blue Devils, Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Clemson. They still have to play Clemson, an upstart Miami team, North Carolina twice, and Wake Forest again, the only team to beat them in coference play thus far. This being said, I don't see Duke staying atop the conference.
North Carolina and Wake Forest have the same amount of losses in conference play, two, and both have significantly easier schedules than Duke and only one more loss than the Blue Devils. With that, my pick is going to Wake Forest to the win the season title. The Deamon Deacons and the Tar Heels will likely win out the rest of the conference schedule, barring an upset. But since Wake Forest defeated North Carolina on January 11, they would win the tie breaker, giving them the ACC regular season title.
Now to the Big East. This is arguably the best conference in America, putting six teams in the current top 25. As many as 10 teams from the Big East could get in to the Big Dance.
Marquette is currently at the top of the conference, remaining unbeaten, with impressive wins over Villanova, West Virginia, Notre Dame, and Georgetown. However, their remaining schedule has them at Villanova, at Georgetown, at Louisville and Pittsburgh, a home game against Syracuse, and a battle againt Connecticut, the number one team in America. I don't see Marquette being able to hold on to their undefeated record much longer, especially against these teams.
With that being said, I think UCONN will win out the remainder of the conference season, retain their number one ranking, and be crowned Big East regular season champions. However, it won't be easy for the Huskies. They have a non conference battle with Michigan, and games against Marquette, Syracuse, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh twice. But Hasheem Thabeet and Jeff Adrien are true leaders, and will continue to play like they did when they beat they beat seventh ranked Louisville by 18 points.
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UNC will take the ACC, Wake will take an upset loss somewhere where nobody expects it.
ReplyDeleteAs far at the Big East, your guess is as good as mine, you may as well throw a dart to choose. That conference is unbelievable
duke is going to lose both carolina games and the remaining wake game? bold prediction
ReplyDeleteActually, I didn't come right out and say they would lose all of those. I do think they will lose eventually, and lose their spot at the top of the conference. Wake's remaining games are significantly easier than Duke's, and will likely win out, with the exception of an upset. However, anything is possible in a conference with four good teams, all within a game or two of each other.
ReplyDeleteSo, uh, remember what I said about a possibility of Wake being upset? haha
ReplyDeleteAs if right on cue with my previous comment, Wake takes an upset loss nobody expected. I'm telling you, the ACC can be painted Carolina Blue
ReplyDeleteAfter just watching Wake and Duke both get trounced, I'd have to agree.
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