As college basketball fans eagerly await the start of March Madness, the excitement is building as the major conference tournaments get underway this week. With top teams vying for a chance to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament, the action is sure to be intense and unpredictable. As the tournament brackets are set and the first games tip off, let’s take a look at the futures odds, best bets, and longshots to watch in the SEC, Big Ten, and beyond.
In the SEC, all eyes are on the Kentucky Wildcats as they look to secure their spot as the top seed in the conference tournament. With a strong 26-5 record and key wins against top teams like Louisville and Florida, the Wildcats are the favorite to not only win the SEC tournament, but also make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Led by star guard Tyler Herro and a talented roster, Kentucky has the experience and talent to make a strong push for the championship.
However, they will face tough competition from the Tennessee Volunteers, who have had an impressive season with a 27-4 record. The Volunteers are coming off a big win against Kentucky and are determined to prove themselves as a top team in the conference. With a balanced offense and a strong defense, Tennessee has the potential to make a deep tournament run and should not be overlooked.
Another team to watch in the SEC is the LSU Tigers. Despite facing controversy off the court, the Tigers have remained focused on the game and have emerged as a top contender in the conference. Led by freshman phenom Naz Reid, LSU has proven themselves against tough competition and could make a surprise run in the tournament.
Moving on to the Big Ten, the Michigan State Spartans are the team to beat. With a 25-6 record and a dominant win against rival Michigan, the Spartans have proven themselves as a top team in the conference. Led by veteran coach Tom Izzo and a talented roster, Michigan State has the experience and chemistry to make a deep run in the tournament. Look for them to be a strong contender for the Big Ten championship.
However, the Michigan Wolverines are not to be overlooked. With a 26-5 record and a strong defense, the Wolverines have proven themselves as a tough team to beat. Led by sophomore forward Ignas Brazdeikis, Michigan has the potential to make a deep tournament run and could give the Spartans a run for their money in the conference tournament.
In the Big 12, the Kansas Jayhawks have been the dominant force, winning the conference championship for the past 14 years. However, this year has been a different story for the Jayhawks as they have struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Despite this, Kansas still has the talent and experience to compete for the Big 12 championship. Keep an eye on junior forward Dedric Lawson, who has been a standout player for the Jayhawks this season.
Another team to watch in the Big 12 is the Texas Tech Red Raiders. With a stifling defense and a balanced offense, Texas Tech has emerged as a top team in the conference. Led by senior guard Jarrett Culver, the Red Raiders have proven themselves against top competition and could make a strong push for the conference championship.
Moving on to the ACC, the Duke Blue Devils have been the talk of the college basketball world all season. With a star-studded roster including Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish, Duke has been nearly unstoppable. Despite losing to North Carolina in their last regular season game, the Blue Devils are still the favorite to win the ACC tournament and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
However, the North Carolina Tar Heels cannot be overlooked. With a talented roster and a strong finish to the regular season, the Tar Heels have proven themselves as a top team in the conference. Led by senior leaders Cameron Johnson and Luke Maye, North Carolina has the experience and chemistry to compete for the ACC championship.
In the Pac-12, the Washington Huskies have been the standout team with a 24-6 record and a strong defense. Led by sophomore guard Jaylen Nowell, the Huskies have proven themselves against tough competition and are the clear favorite to win the conference tournament. However, the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Oregon Ducks should not be counted out as they have proven themselves as tough teams to beat.
As the conference tournaments get underway, the excitement and unpredictability of college basketball is at its peak
