Previewing the WCC, Summit, Southern, and CAA Conference Tournaments

WCC Tournament Predictions: March 3,5,7,8

All games are played in Las Vegas:

Favorites: Gonzaga 24-3, St.Mary’s 24-6

Darkhorse: San Francisco 23-8, BYU 21-9, and Santa Clara 20-10

Predictions: Gonzaga is the No.1 team in the nation so they have to be considered the favorite to win the tournament. However, they were beaten by 10 points in the season finale against St.Mary’s. There are teams that are capable of pulling off an upset of the top teams as well. The Zags and the Gaels have stamped their ticket to the tournament and San Francisco, BYU, and Santa Clara, are looking to do enough to sway the committee come Selection Sunday. PAPA DUDES PICK: Gonzaga

Summit Tournament Predictions: March 5-8

All games are played in Sioux Falls, SD:

Favorites: South Dakota State 27-4

Darkhorse: North Dakota State 21-9, Oral Roberts 18-11, Kansas City 19-11, and South Dakota 18-11

Predictions: Personally, I think South Dakota State should be a lock for the Big Dance, regardless of how they do in this tournament. They went 18-0 in a league that features five teams that won 18 or more games. That should be enough; however most tournament prognosticators say they are out, if they don’t win in Sioux Falls this week. They have worthy competition, that they will have to beat for the third time, to get to the championship. That is no easy task. PAPA DUDES PICK: South Dakota State

Southern Tournament Predictions: March 4-7

All games are played in Asheville, NC:

Favorites: Chattanooga 24-7, Furman 20-11

Darkhorse: Samford 20-10, Wofford 18-12

Predictions: Chattanooga won the regular season by two games over 2nd place Furman and they were the best team during the conference race. However, this league is pretty balanced and the Moccasins have plenty of work to do to win. Furman and Wofford have tournament experience and they could knock off the favorite. Plus, the Mocs beat both of them twice in the regular season and will have to beat one of them three times.I wouldn’t bet on this one. PAPA DUDES PICK: Chattanooga

CAA Tournament Predictions: March 5-8

All games are played in Washington D.C.

Favorites: Towson State 24-7, UNC Wilmington 21-8

Darkhorses: Hofstra 21-10, Delaware 19-12

Predictions: The two favorites tied for the regular season title with identical 15-3 records. They split the two games with each winning on the other’s home floor. There isn’t much to choose from between the two rivals. The door is also open for a lesser team to come up and stage a big upset. Another very difficult champion to select. PAPA DUDES PICK: UNC-Wilmington