5 “Power Conference” Teams To Watch During March Madness

Back in January we highlighted five teams that we considered “sleepers” who might make a difference in this year’s NCAA championship tourney. A lot of people criticized our writer for picking San Diego State since, at the time, they were undefeated and ranked sixth in the nation. Since then, they’ve only lost 2 games as they held on to the #6 spot. Historically, the Aztecs haven’t been a powerhouse so it might come as a surprise when they run roughshod on the competish over the next couple weeks.

As I watched the madness on CBS Saturday, they showed the “power conference” teams to watch in this year’s tournament. Here’s a little more info on each squad along with my thoughts on what to expect from them. We also have pics, vids, and a poll that you can vote on, so put on your bracketology hat and start anal-lyzing.

Before their high school-like 36-33 loss to Penn State on Friday, the Sconnies were ranked third in the conference and thirteenth in both the AP top 25 and ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls. Some fans subscribe to the belief that momentum is a key factor in the run to the title. Those people are severely discounting the Badgers. It smells like a one and done for Madison in the Madness.

Can the Badgers expect to Jump Around come April?

Click on the pics above to see more of Courtney Storm (left) and Delaine Barnes (right).

K-State was ranked 19 in the AP Top 25 and 23 in the ESPN/USA Today poll, finishing up the season with a 10-6 record in the conference (good for 4th) and an overall record of 22-10. In the Big 12 tournament they lost handedly to the Colorado Buffs, who put in a decent showing against the event champs, the Kansas Jayhawks. On our post about the sleepers in January, one commenter suggested we snubbed the Buffaloes. We have to agree – Colorado could do some damage. The Wildcats? They could win the opener, but a deep run’s not looking likely.

Will the ‘Cats celebrate a title with “Wabash Cannonball” or “Hale Storm”?

St. John's women's volleyball player and Big East Academic All-Star Sterie Varghese

Ranked 17 in the AP Top 25 and 18 in the ESPN/USA Today poll, the Red Storm were 21-11 overall and 12-6 in conference play, good enough for a three way tie for third in the Big East. The hoopla surrounding St. John’s stems from the Big East tourney game against Rutgers in which the referees completely blew a call towards the end of the game. Those referees ended up withdrawing from the tournament for the non-call on a Red Storm player both A) travelling and B) stepping out of bounds before time expired. Obviously, we’ll never know how that game would turn out but St. John’s gave the Orange a run for their money in a 79-73 loss that booted them from the tournament. Of the 5 teams on this list, we have to give the edge to St. John’s for most games won in the tourney.

War is hell. The last thing we want is war. Unless it’s performed by the Johnnies Pep Band.

Image courtesy of FrathouseSports.com

Vandy’s not ranked in the AP Top 25 but managed to get the #24 slot in the ESPN/USA TOday Coaches poll with an overall record of 23-10 and a 9-7 conference record, which landed them in third place in the East division of the SEC. They handled the Mississippi State Bulldogs  in the quarters but couldn’t compete with the Gators, who as I type are losing to the Kentucky Wildcats in the SEC championship. I gotta think that Vandy will give a strong showing in the tourney, but Elite 8 might not be in their future.

E’erybody be stamballin’ if Vandy’s victorious…

The Pac 10 is definitely the weakest of the 5 “power conferences”. The only ranked team are the Wildcats and they got beat in the finals by the Washington Huskies. UCLA, ranked second in the conference with a 13-5 record and 22-10 overall record, got smoked by seventh place Oregon. Their first round fate depends on the draw but I have to believe they’ll suffer an early exit for the tourney.

Bruins win and the clothes come off…

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