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March Madness 2026: Conference Tournament Predictions
Experts pick champions, sleepers, and bubble teams to watch in this week's conference tournaments
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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As the college basketball season heads into March Madness, the top conferences are holding their annual postseason tournaments this week. Our experts have analyzed the brackets and odds for the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC tournaments, identifying the favorites, potential Cinderellas, and bubble teams fighting for at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament.
Why it matters
The conference tournaments are the last chance for teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble to make a final impression and secure their spot in the Big Dance. Additionally, the champions of each conference tournament will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, adding to the high stakes and drama of these events.
The details
In the ACC, Duke is the favorite, but injuries could open the door for Virginia or Miami. The Big East is expected to come down to a showdown between UConn and St. John's, while Villanova lurks as a potential sleeper. Michigan is the class of the Big Ten, but Nebraska and Michigan State could challenge. The Big 12 is wide open, with Arizona, Houston, Iowa State, and Kansas all having a chance. And in the SEC, reigning national champion Florida is the team to beat, though bubble teams Missouri, Auburn, and Oklahoma will be fighting for their tournament lives.
- The conference tournament action gets underway this week, leading up to Selection Sunday on March 16, 2026.
- The ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC tournaments will all take place from March 11-15, 2026.
The players
Cooper Flagg
A star freshman for Duke who missed last year's ACC Tournament.
Caleb Foster
Duke's starting guard who may miss the ACC Tournament due to injury.
Patrick Ngongba II
Duke's starting center who may miss the ACC Tournament due to injury.
Caleb Wilson
UNC's star forward who will miss the remainder of the season due to a broken thumb.
Darryn Peterson
The potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, playing for Kansas.
What’s next
The conference tournament champions will be determined by March 15, 2026, setting the field for the NCAA Tournament selection show on March 16.
The takeaway
This week's conference tournaments will have major implications for NCAA Tournament seeding and at-large bids, with bubble teams fighting for their tournament lives and powerhouse programs looking to secure top seeds in the Big Dance.
