Conference Tournament Results: March 8th

Three conference champions were crowned on Saturday, the first three automatic bids into the NCAA Tournament that were determined by Conference Tournaments. Cornell (automatic Ivy League birth) finally has some company. I figured that I'd run a quick column at the end of each conference tournament, not only to keep track of how I did in predicting them, but also to gloat. So far, so good on my part.

Big South Conference:

• Actual Champion: Winthrop (8th NCAA appearance, 4th in a row)
• My Predicted Champion: Winthrop
• Bracket Winning Percentage: 85.7% (6 of 7 games correct)
• Overall Bracket Winning Percentage: 85.7% (6 of 7 games correct)
• Overall Predicted Champion Winning Percentage: 100% (1 of 1 correct)

Not a huge surprise here at all with the #2 seed, Winthrop, winning the league title. They've been there each of the past three years and know what it takes to win in March. The biggest loss of this Tournament came when UNC Asheville lost in the finals, therefore, denying the country the opportunity of hearing about mammoth, 7-foot-7, Asheville center, Kenny George for another two weeks. Winthrop upset Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year, another upset is not out of the question this year.

Atlantic Sun Conference:

• Actual Champion: Belmont (3rd NCAA appearance, 3rd in a row)
• My Predicted Champion: Belmont
• Bracket Winning Percentage: PERFECT! 100% (7 of 7 games correct)
• Overall Bracket Winning Percentage: 92.9% (13 of 14 games correct)
• Overall Predicted Champion Winning Percentage: 100% (2 of 2 correct)

No surprise here either. Belmont was the #1 seed and took care of business. Their only difficulties came in a semifinal game against East Tennessee State, a game where they trailed most of the way and were aided by a controversial technical foul call against ETSU, on their way to a 69-65 win. Props to Ben right here, a friend that goes to Belmont. I called the Gardner-Webb upset over Stetson in the first round. The only reason this happened is because Gardner-Webb defeated Kentucky earlier in the year. I love how this information comes in handy later. I'd also like to point out that this was my first perfect Conference Tournament Bracket. How many more will I have?

Ohio Valley Conference:

• Actual Champion: Austin Peay (6th NCAA Tournament, first since 2003)
• My Predicted Champion: Austin Peay
• Bracket Winning Percentage: 71.4% (5 of 7 games correct)
• Overall Bracket Winning Percentage: 85.7% (18 of 21 games correct)
• Overall Predicted Champion Winning Percentage: 100% (3 of 3 correct)

Nothing to say about this Tournament except that the #1 seed got it done. I will say that I'm very very thankful that no new Conference Tournaments begin until the 11th. But EIGHT of them begin on the 12th!!! Looks like I'm going to have to do some research ahead of time. Enjoy the games on Sunday...Go Pitt...Go Robert Morris...Go Drake...and Go Davidson!