Predicting All 32 Conference Champions

We are less than four weeks away from the start of the college basketball season, so it’s time to start making some predictions. Here’s who we think will win each of the 32 conferences this year.

A10: Dayton

The Flyers have the league’s best player in Da’Ron Holmes and if Malachi Smith and Koby Brea are anything like their former selves, Dayton will win the league by multiple games.

ACC: Duke & Miami

For the first time ever, someone is predicting a tie for a regular season title. Duke has the most talented roster in the country and Miami is a matchup nightmare for most teams in the league. Look for these two to split the ACC crown this season.

America East: Vermont

It’s Vermont until it’s not in the America East. The Catamounts have won seven straight titles and have an opportunity to make it eight despite heavy roster turnover from last season.

American: Florida Atlantic

FAU returns all but one player from their Final Four run last year. Memphis has the more talented team, but there are too many unknowns with that roster to pick them to win. The Owls win the conference, but it’s a close race until the end.

Atlantic Sun: Eastern Kentucky

A.W. Hamilton has his best team yet in Richmond. With Darius McGhee out of the picture, look for the Colonels to win the league running away. EKU has Cinderella potential in March.

Big East: Creighton

The Bluejays are primed to build off their Elite Eight run. Ryan Kalkbrenner puts up Big East Player of the Year numbers and the fighting McDermott’s get their third regular season title during his tenure.

Big Sky: Weber State

Eric Duft wins the league in his second year and puts himself on the map. Eastern Washington and Montana State lost too much to hold off the Wildcats.

Big South: UNC Asheville

Drew Pember – that’s all you need to know. Back-to-back titles for the Bulldogs.

Big Ten: Purdue

Back-to-back for the Boilermakers. Zach Edey has a great chance to repeat as National Player of the Year and Purdue makes a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

Big 12: Kansas

The Jayhawks will always be the team to beat in the B12 and that’s no different this season. Kansas should win the league again, but look for a few of the Texas schools to make it interesting.

Big West: UC Santa Barbara

Joe Pasternack wins the league outright after splitting with UC Irvine last season. Ajay Mitchell takes the Gauchos to back-to-back NCAA tournaments.

CAA: UNC Wilmington

This is the year for Takayo Siddle. Trazerian White leads the way and has a CAA Player of the Year type season. The Seahawks are capable of a 25+ win campaign.

CUSA: Middle Tennessee

With the league more wide-open than it’s ever been, look for a breakout year from Nick McDevitt’s squad. The Blue Raiders have enough firepower to win the league for the first time since the Kermit Davis days.

Horizon: Wright State

Last time Trey Calvin and Tanner Holden shared the backcourt, Wright State went to the NCAA tournament. Holden is back in Dayton and the Raiders will be back on top of the Horizon.

Ivy: Yale

Yale is going to be so freaking good. They’ll win the Ivy outright this year as they bring back 75% of their rotational minutes from last season. The Bulldogs will be a popular upset pick in March.

MAAC: Rider

Mervin James has MAAC Player of the Year potential. The Broncs finished second last year, but luckily for them, Rick Pitino isn’t in the league anymore. Kevin Baggett gets it done before Tobin Anderson gets it rolling at Iona.

MAC: Akron

The MAC is always competitive, but the road runs through Akron this year. Enrique Freeman is a walking double-double. John Groce will have one of the most experienced rotations in the country this season. Old wins in college ball.

MEAC: Norfolk State

I will never bet against Robert Jones. The Spartans have seven (!) players in their last year of eligibility and they’re all hungry for a NCAA tournament appearance. They get there even with a cast of new characters running the show.

MVC: Drake

It’s the DeVries show with Darian and Tucker running it back for another season in Des Moines. The Bulldogs didn’t win the regular season crown last year, but they’re going out on top this season. Another Cinderella special right here.

MWC: Boise State

Boise State is somehow flying under the radar. New Mexico is getting a lot of preseason love and San Diego State just made the national title game, but it’s Max Rice and the Broncos finishing the year on top in the MWC.

NEC: Sacred Heart

This is the year Anthony Latina breaks through. It’s been an up and down tenure over 10 seasons, but he’s got 85% of his rotational minutes coming back and one of the league’s best players in Nico Galette.

OVC: Morehead State

Morehead ran away with the league last year and we see no reason to believe they won’t do it again. Look for a fourth straight 20-win season for Preston Spradlin and the Eagles.

PAC12: Arizona

The Wildcats will look a little different this year, but trust Tommy Lloyd to get the new pieces working together quickly. Caleb Love will thrive in the Arizona offense and Oumar Ballo will average a double-double.

Patriot: Colgate

As long as Matt Langel is the coach at Colgate, I’m picking them to win the league. Keegan Records gets the Raiders another conference title and Player of the Year award.

SEC: Tennessee

Rick Barnes’ squad gets it done this season. Once Zakai Zeigler gets back to 100%, the Vols will be very hard to beat. Newcomer Dalton Knecht adds a flair on offense not seen in Knoxville in recent years.

SoCon: Western Carolina

The Catamounts bring everybody back including potential Player of the Year Vonterius Woolbright. Justin Gray puts himself on the map with a huge year in Cullowhee.

Southland: McNeese

Will Wade is back and he brought some very talented players with him. High major transfers Shahada Wells, CJ Felder and Mike Saunders should thrive in the Southland. Christian Shumate should have another dominate year as well.

Summit: South Dakota State

The Jackrabbits return to the throne now that Max Abmas is out of the picture. Zeke Mayo will be a name people become familiar with in March.

Sun Belt: James Madison

Mark Byington gets his first career NCAA tournament appearance this season with the Dukes. Terrance Edwards turns into a star and Boston College transfer TJ Bickerstaff lands on the all-league team.

SWAC: Jackson State

Despite losing Daeshun Ruffin for the season, Jackson State has what it takes to win the SWAC this season. Mo Williams’ crew is full of experience and continuity, bringing back 83% of last year’s rotational minutes. This is the year the Tigers go dancing.

WAC: Grand Canyon

Bryce Drew cleaned up in the portal this off-season and returns likely Player of the Year Rayshon Harrison. With a healthy Jovan Blacksher running alongside Harrison, the Lopes have second-weekend potential as a mid-major this season.

WCC: Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary’s wins the league outright. Yeah, I said it. Aidan Mahaney and Mitchell Saxon lead the Gaels to their first outright WCC crown since 2012.

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