Final Predictions for Champions of Every 2022 Men’s CBB Conference Tournament

Vermont’s Ben ShunguTerrance Williams/Associated Press

America East (11 a.m. ET on March 12)—Vermont

If anyone other than Vermont wins, this would be a colossal upset. The Catamounts rank in the top 75 on KenPom, while no one else in the America East is in the top 225. They are 17-1 in league play with 16 of those wins coming by double digits. And they will have home-court advantage throughout. While not quite TJ Sorrentine and Taylor Coppenrath from the mid-2000s, the senior duo of Ben Shungu and Ryan Davis is sure to convince you that this team could knock off a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Mid-Eastern Athletic (1 p.m. ET on March 12)—Norfolk State

Never sleep on North Carolina Central, which had won the last three MEAC tournaments prior to the pandemic and is lurking in third place in the league this year. But Norfolk State has been the clear favorite for most of the season. The Spartans won at Howard earlier this year, and it sure doesn’t hurt that the tournament is being held in Norfolk, per usual.

Southwestern Athletic (6 p.m. ET on March 12)—Southern

Texas Southern made waves in early December with a 15-point road win over Florida. The Tigers were 0-7 before that game and have won 14 of 19 since. As has routinely been the case for more than a decade, they look like the team to beat in the SWAC. But Southern has done just that. Twice. And by double digits both times. Give me the Jaguars over the Tigers in the championship.

Mid-American (7:30 p.m. ET on March 12)—Kent State

Can the Golden Flashes stay hot just a little while longer? They went a perfect 8-0 through February, including a road win over Toledo and a blowout of Ohio—the two other teams most likely to win this tourney. As long as it’s one of those three teams, though, look out. Sincere Carry (Kent State), Mark Sears (Ohio) and Ryan Rollins (Toledo) can take a game over against just about anyone.

Big Sky (9 p.m. ET on March 12)—Montana State

One month ago, I would have gone with Weber State here, but the Wildcats’ last 11 opponents have shot a combined 40.4 percent from three-point range, resulting in five recent losses. Tough to trust a team that defends like that, especially considering Montana State is an excellent three-point shooting team. The Bobcats should earn and defend the No. 1 seed in the Big Sky tournament.

Southland (9:30 p.m. ET on March 12)—Southeastern Louisiana

Nicholls State will be the most popular pick here, but SELA has had NSU’s number, beating the Colonels not once, not twice but three times already this season. The Lions play at a breakneck pace with just about no defense or rebounding, but it confounds Nicholls State for some reason.

Western Athletic (10 p.m. ET on March 12)—New Mexico State

The Aggies have represented the WAC in seven of the last nine NCAA tournaments and still look like the team to beat, but this is going to be a much better tournament than usual. Former Southland members Abilene Christian, Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin are all legitimate candidates, as are Grand Canyon, Seattle and Utah Valley. But NMSU’s Teddy Allen should be the star of the tourney—and a guy who might put on a show against a No. 4 or No. 5 seed in the dance.

Big West (11:30 p.m. ET on March 12)—UC Irvine

The Anteaters went through a rough patch in mid-January, but they have won eight of their last nine games, leaning heavily on a defense that paved the way for early-season wins over Boise State and Santa Clara, as well as close calls at Fresno State and USC. Watch out for UC Santa Barbara, though. The Gauchos have a star big man in Amadou Sow, and they could win this thing as the projected No. 6 seed.

Ivy League (Noon ET on March 13)—Princeton

Not only are the Tigers likely headed for an outright regular-season title, but they fared quite well in nonconference play with wins over South Carolina, Drexel and Oregon State, plus close calls away from home against Minnesota and Hofstra. This is one of the best shooting teams in the country, and it is going to make a No. 2 or No. 3 seed sweat in the first round, provided it wins this four-team tournament first.