It’s only the start of November but it’s never too early to look ahead to March (Madness). That’s because the college basketball season begins in just two weeks. Where do all the major conferences stand? Right now the Big 12 looks like the best of the bunch, but that’s only a first impression. Here’s our ranking of the power conferences by strength:
1. Big 12
The Big 12 did not do well in the NCAA tournament last March, but it was one of the deeper conferences in the country during the regular season, and it is poised to be the same this season. Kansas is Kansas, one of the top programs in the country. Oklahoma brings back almost all of its starting five and should be a very high seed in March Madness. Iowa State should be the same, with coach Fred Hoiberg doing one of the best jobs in the country. Kansas State is always tough at home and should be a tournament team. Oklahoma State keeps bringing in talented rosters, even though Marcus Smart is gone. Texas, which had been slipping as a program, is going to challenge Kansas for the championship. Baylor is no slouch, though it might not make the Sweet 16 again as it did last season. West Virginia has to be taken seriously under Bob Huggins. Tubby Smith is beginning to turn around Texas Tech. TCU is going to be the only easy out in this conference. That speaks to how deep the Big 12 is likely to be.
2. Big Ten
The Wisconsin Badgers made the Final Four last season, and they bring just about everyone back this season, including their best player, Frank Kaminsky. Wisconsin is going to have one of the more efficient offenses in the country once again, making it very hard to get past the Badgers in a one-game elimination environment next March. Michigan is coached by John Beilein, one of the best coaches in the nation. Michigan State will be fine with Tom Izzo once again at the controls. Ohio State and Thad Matta will get back to the NCAA tournament. Minnesota, after winning the NIT, should be able to move up and make the Big Dance. Nebraska made the NCAA tournament and has a great chance to return under coach Tim Miles. The Big Ten is going to be ferocious once more.
3. ACC
The ACC doesn’t seem to have that one team which stands out above everyone else, but it’s going to be deep in the top third of the conference. Duke, North Carolina, Syracuse, Louisville, and Virginia are all going to be part of a very competitive race, with Miami, Pittsburgh, and possibly Florida State being in the chase for tournament berths. The quality of coaching in the ACC is rising with Buzz Williams moving to Virginia Tech. The bottom of the league is weak, but the middle will remain solid.
4. Pac-12
There is Arizona, UCLA, Stanford, and Utah to hold up the Pac-12’s cause this season, but after that, the league could be light on tournament teams. The Oregon schools and the Washington schools should struggle. Colorado should remain a tournament contender. Arizona State will have to replace important players from an NCAA tournament team last season. USC doesn’t seem to be ready yet, and neither does California. This won’t be a bad conference, but it’s not as deep as it has been.
5. SEC
The ongoing problem with the SEC is that it has been Kentucky and Florida… and no one else. The challenge this next season will be for a third team to play really well during the regular season. Until that happens, the SEC is obviously the worst of the five power conferences in college basketball. Bruce Pearl, who enjoyed some success at Tennessee, returns to the conference and is trying to make a contender out of Auburn.
