As men’s college basketball teams gear up for their respective conference tournaments, I’m left wondering what some of our local teams are doing, and where they stand.
The SEC Tournament
Location: Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia
Dates: March 10-13
TV: ABC
After a Sunday road victory against Tennessee, Kentucky has grabbed a bye in the first round of the SEC tournament. So, their conference tourney tips off March 11 against either South Carolina or Ole Miss. The Gamecocks of South Carolina actually have a strong local connection with many around the area who are graduates of Western Kentucky University as their head coach, Darren Horn, was a star basketball player with the Hilltoppers and coached Western prior to making his way to Colombia.
By the way, for historical sake, the Cats have defeated the Gamecocks both times they played them this year but lost to Ole Miss the only time they squared off.
The Big East Tournament
Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, New York
Dates: March 8-12
TV: ESPN
Louisville nabbed a number three ranking in the conference tournament and receives a two round bye, so they’ll begin their tournament run on Thursday in the quarterfinals. During that game, they’ll see either (11) Golden Eagles of Marquette, (14) Providence, or (6) the Mountaineers of West Virginia who the Cards lost to on Saturday at Morgantown, splitting the games between the two times they played. Louisville also split their games with Providence, but defeated Marquette the only time they saw them this season at the Yum! Center.
The Big Ten Tournament
Location: Conseco Field house, Indianapolis, Indiana
Dates: March 10-13
TV: Big Ten Network
(11) Indiana University suits up on the first day of their conference tournament against (6) Penn State. If the Hoosiers can pull off that upset, they’ll meet (3) Wisconsin the proceeding day. Going into the game, during their only meeting, Penn State came away with the win.
Sources and Links for More Info
-2011 Men’s basketball Championship Central
http://www.bigeast.org/Sports/BasketballChampionshipCentral/
-UofL Men’s basketball
http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/lou-m-baskbl-body.html
-UK Athletics
http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/kty-m-baskbl-body.html
-The Southeastern Conference
http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/SECSports/Home.aspx
-Big Ten Conference
http://www.bigten.org/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/big10/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2010-11-mbb-bracket
-Indiana University Basketball
http://www.bigten.org/championships/2011-schedule.html
Image: Associated Press/
