Conference Championship Games Aplenty

We will continue Saturday's predictions with all the conference championships, eleven to be exact. I'll do them in alphabetical order by conference.

America East

Hartford (18-15, 10-6) vs. UMBC (23-8, 13-3): Two teams that are looking for their first NCAA Tournament bid square off here. UMBC is really having its first successful season in D-I, and wants to cap it off with a huge win here. They are led by big man Darryl Proctor and outside shooter Ray Barbosa. The Retrievers also have one of the better point guards in the Am. East, Jay Greene. Hartford doesn't have a big man who can contain Proctor, and the double-team will lead to open looks for the shooters. Watch out for the Hawks' Joe Zeglinski, who is one of the better 3-point shooters in the conference.

Prediction: UMBC 79-76

Atlantic-10

St. Joseph's (21-11, 9-7) vs. Temple (20-12, 11-5): Will both of these teams get in? It seems as if St. Joe's has the better resume, especially after the win over Xavier yesterday. Temple probably will need the win today to lock up a spot, and that would mean 3 bids for the A-10. I think the Owls can do it, and Dionte Christmas should be noticed. He's one of the better unknown players in college basketball.

Prediction: Temple 72-64

Big East

Pittsburgh (25-9, 10-8) vs. #9 Georgetown (27-4, 15-3): Pittsburgh is the surprise of this tournament, coming in as a 7 seed and winning their way to the finals. They now face the regular season champs, who dismantled West Virginia in the semis behind Roy Hibbert's best effort of the season. The game will live up to the hype, and Roy Hibbert will come up clutch again. Sam Young continues to blossom for the Panthers. The game will come down to the final seconds, and I believe Jessie Sapp will make the difference.

Prediction: Georgetown 79-77 (OT)

Big West

UC Irvine (18-15, 9-7) vs. Cal State Fullerton (23-8, 12-4): Irvine has upset their way to the finals where they meet the #1 seed. Josh Akagnon and the Titans will be way to much for the Cinderella of this tournament.

Prediction: Cal State Fullerton 79-59

C-USA

Tulsa (20-12, 8-8) vs. #3 Memphis (32-1, 16-0): Memphis lucked out in that it didn't have to face UAB or Houston in the finals. They shouldn't have too much trouble with Tulsa. Derrick Rose and CDR will lead Memphis to their 33rd win of the year.

Prediction: Memphis 73-62

MAC

Akron (23-9, 11-5) vs. Kent State (27-6, 13-3): Bubble team fans will be rooting hard for Kent State in this one, as they seem likely to gain an at-large if they fall. Akron has looked very good since Jeremiah Wood came back from injury. This should be a good game, and I think in the end those bubble fans will be disappointed. Jeremiah Wood will lead the Zips into the tourney.

Prediction: Akron 61-58

MEAC

Coppin State (15-20, 7-9) vs. Morgan State (22-9, 14-2): Coppin State looks to pull an upset and reach the play-in game of the NCAAs. Morgan State is the #1 seed of the tourney. I will go with Coppin State in the upset. Tywain McKee is a good 3 point shooter and Robert Pressey controls the paint.

Prediction: Coppin State 64-60

Mountain West

UNLV (25-7, 12-4) vs. #23 Brigham Young (27-6, 14-2): Both of these teams look safe to make the field of 65, after New Mexico fell out early. The game is essentially a home game for UNLV, since the tourneys on their home court. Lee Cummard played great in the semis and he plus Johnathan Tavernari should be enough.

Prediction: Brigham Young 73-60

Pac-10

#11 Stanford (26-6, 13-5) vs. #2 UCLA (30-3, 16-2): The Pac-10 gets its dream matchup of the 1 and 2 seeds of the tourney. UCLA had a little trouble with USC, but Stanford used a big game from Brook Lopez to control the win over Wazzu. UCLA is the better team, but this game will be close. Josh Shipp will be the key scorer for the Bruins in this one, who can win without Mbah a Moute.

Prediction: UCLA 63-62

SWAC

Jackson State (14-19, 10-8) vs. Mississippi Valley State (16-15, 12-6): The winner of this game is likely to get a spot in the play-in game. Jackson State has been in the pat few NCAAs, and I think they'll take this game. Grant Maxey and Darrion Griffin are a couple good scorers for the Tigers.

Prediction: Jackson State 70-56

WAC

Boise State (24-8, 12-4) vs. New Mexico State (21-13, 12-4): What should be a very good game pits two high scoring teams up against each other. I don't know if Reggie Larry can do it all by himself for Boise, and New Mexico State has plenty of weapons. Justin Hawkins and Fred Peete will help the Aggies earn a NCAA bid.

Prediction: New Mexico State 85-81

Thats it and thats all folks, now lets watch some college basketball baybey!