2026 Men's Championship Week: Picks and Predictions for All 31 Conference Tournaments March 2, 2026

In just under two weeks, we'll know all the teams competing for a chance to cut down the nets in Indianapolis. Championship Week begins today with the Horizon League tipping off first-round action. All 31 Division I men's basketball conferences will crown their tournament champions — and their automatic qualifiers to the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Championship Week wraps up on March 15, when five conferences — the Ivy League, Atlantic 10, SEC, American, and Big Ten — crown their winners just before the selection committee announces the 68-team field for March Madness.

Duke Takes Down No. 1 Michigan

Before we dive into the predictions, let's acknowledge Duke's impressive 68-63 victory over Michigan on February 21 in Washington, D.C. — the Blue Devils' 11th all-time win over an AP No. 1 team.

Conference Tournament Predictions

Ohio Valley Conference

Tournament: March 4-7 (Evansville, Ind.) | Championship: Friday, March 7, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

The experts are split here. Southeast Missouri State has lost just twice since January 17, riding a 10-2 finish behind Luke Almodovar and the league's best defense (26% opponent 3-point shooting since Feb. 1). UT Martin has the size advantage with Andrija Bukumirovic and Matas Deniušas, while Tennessee State earned the No. 1 seed under coach Nolan Smith after winning the regular-season title with a three-game lead.

Big South Conference

Championship: Sunday, March 8, noon ET (ESPN2)

Consensus pick: High Point. The Panthers have only lost once since December 14, boasting both the best offense and defense in the league under coach Flynn Clayman. Rob Martin, Cam'Ron Fletcher, and Conrad Martinez have meshed seamlessly with the returnees.

Missouri Valley Conference

Championship: Sunday, March 8, noon ET (CBS)

Consensus pick: Belmont. The Bruins are one of America's best offensive teams, shooting 62.2% inside the arc and 40.7% from three during a 13-1 run — even without Nic McClain (knee injury).

ASUN Conference

Championship: Sunday, March 8, 2 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Central Arkansas gets the edge with the league's best backcourt duo in Ty Robinson and Camren Hunter, who hit 30+ points five times in his last 11 games. Austin Peay remains a dangerous contender after leading the conference most of the way before getting only one crack at the Bears in the regular season.

Summit League

Championship: Sunday, March 8, 9 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

Consensus pick: St. Thomas-Minnesota. The Tommies feature Nolan Minessale and Nick Janowski, shooting 40%+ from three in league play. They've consistently been one of the best offensive teams in mid-major basketball.

Southern Conference

Championship: Monday, March 9, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN Networks)

Consensus pick: East Tennessee State. The Buccaneers lead the SoCon with the league's best defense, forcing turnovers on nearly 18% of possessions. Cam Morris III anchors a squad in the top 50 nationally in shots inside the arc (57%).

Sun Belt Conference

Tournament: March 3-9 | Championship: Sunday, March 9, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN Networks)

Consensus pick: Arkansas State. With seven teams finishing within one game of first place, the Red Wolves' 7-1 February run under first-year coach Ryan Pannone makes them the pick. They push the tempo and crash the offensive glass at a high level.

Horizon League

Tournament: March 2-10 (campus sites/Indianapolis) | Championship: Monday, March 10, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Consensus pick: Robert Morris — despite Wright State winning the regular season. The Colonials closed with seven straight wins, including a 13-point road victory over the Raiders. Coach Andy Toole has three conference tournament titles on his résumé, most recently last season. Ryan Prather Jr. and DeSean Goode form a dynamic duo.

Northeast Conference

Championship: Monday, March 10, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Long Island University took the regular-season crown, but Central Connecticut has the league's best offense and star Darin Smith Jr. In two matchups, the Sharks proved they can beat CCSU both offensively (143 points per 100 possessions in an 84-78 January win) and defensively (held them to just 59 points in the rematch). This one could go either way.

Coastal Athletic Association

Championship: Monday, March 10, 7 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

UNC Wilmington's Patrick Wessler (13.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.0 BPG) is the conference's most dominant player — per EvanMiya, the Seahawks are 17.2 points better per 100 possessions when he's on the court. Hofstra lurks as a dark horse with the CAA's top offense and No. 3 defense after a 12-1 league finish.

West Coast Conference

Championship: Monday, March 10, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Consensus pick: Gonzaga. Even without Braden Huff (left knee), Graham Ike has been playing at an All-American level over the past month, and coach Mark Few has his best defensive team since 2022. The key will be consistency from Mario Saint-Supéry at point guard.

MAAC

Championship: Monday, March 10, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Consensus pick: Merrimack. Freshman Kevair Kennedy (18.5 PPG) is a surprising star for a squad seeking its first NCAA tournament bid just two years after completing the Division I transition. The Warriors finished first in both offensive and defensive turnover rate in league play.

Southland Conference

Championship: Wednesday, March 11, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Consensus pick: McNeese. The league's best offensive and defensive team features breakout freshman Larry Johnson (16.9 PPG), who has helped the Cowboys weather the absence of Javohn Garcia (leg injury), the reigning Southland Player of the Year.

Patriot League

Tournament: March 3-11 (campus sites) | Championship: Tuesday, March 11, 7 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

Consensus pick: Navy. Coach Jon Perry has lost just one game since November, clinching the outright league title with two weeks left in the regular season. The Midshipmen are holding opponents to 0.95 points per possession in league play. Seniors Austin Benigni and Aidan Kehoe lead the way offensively.

Big Sky Conference

Championship: Wednesday, March 11, 11:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

A genuine three-way race to watch. Eastern Washington has surged into contention after a 3-6 start in league play, going on an eight-game winning streak while climbing to top-50 nationally in offense. Portland State's league-best defense makes them a dark horse threat to end a 17-year NCAA tournament drought.

America East Conference

Tournament: March 7, 10, 14 (campus sites) | Championship: Friday, March 14, 11 a.m. ET (ESPN2)

Consensus pick: UMBC. The Retrievers have already won more conference games than the previous two seasons combined. Jah'Likai King leads four double-figure scorers on a complete offensive team. A tournament win would be their first NCAA appearance since the historic 16-over-1 upset of Virginia in 2018.

MEAC

Championship: Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Howard's Bryce Harris (17.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG) and Cedric Taylor III (17.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.4 APG) form the league's top duo after battles against Duke, Missouri, Arizona, and other high-major teams prepared them. Meanwhile, Norfolk State coach Robert Jones has won three of the past five conference tournaments. Experience vs. talent makes this a compelling matchup.

Mountain West Conference

Tournament: March 11-14 | Championship: Saturday, March 14, 6 p.m. ET (CBS)

Consensus pick: Utah State. The Aggies' backcourt of MJ Collins Jr. (17.9 PPG, 38% from 3), Mason Falslev (16.0 PPG, 41% from 3), and Drake Allen (4.7 APG) powers an offense that's more than seven points better per 100 possessions than the next best team in the league.

Big 12 Conference

Tournament: March 10-14 (Kansas City) | Championship: Saturday, March 14, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Arizona is the favorite with Koa Peat back healthy — even without him, the Wildcats beat Houston on the road. Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley are clutch performers. But don't sleep on Iowa State — the Cyclones have marquee wins over Kansas, Houston, St. John's, and Purdue, plus a home-court advantage in Kansas City where their fans will turn the T-Mobile Center into Hilton Coliseum.

Big East Conference

Tournament: March 11-14 (New York) | Championship: Saturday, March 14, 6:30 p.m. ET (FOX)

Consensus pick: UConn. The Huskies fall somewhere between their 2023 surprise title and 2024 juggernaut — very much in the national championship hunt. The Big East tournament is merely an appetizer.

SWAC

Championship: Saturday, March 14, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)

Bethune-Cookman's tough nonconference schedule (Auburn, Arizona, Missouri, Miami, Indiana) has them battle-tested with the SWAC's best defense. Jakobi Heady (18.1 PPG, 43% from 3) leads the way. Southern's Michael Jacobs remains capable of pulling the upset as one of the league's best scorers and playmakers.

Mid-American Conference

Championship: Saturday, March 14, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Can Miami (Ohio) — the nation's lone unbeaten team entering Championship Week — become just the fourth squad since 1991 to enter the NCAA tournament with a perfect record? Akron, which has won three of the last four MAC tournaments under John Groce, stands in the way. The Zips took the RedHawks to the wire on the road January 3 and haven't lost a league game since. Tavari Johnson is a star in the backcourt.

Conference USA

Championship: Saturday, March 14, 8:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

Consensus pick: Liberty. The Flames could become the first team since at least 1996-97 to shoot 40% from three AND 61% inside the arc — both top six nationally. Coach Ritchie McKay has built an offensive juggernaut.

ACC

Tournament: March 10-14 (Charlotte) | Championship: Saturday, March 14, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Consensus pick: Duke. Coach Jon Scheyer has the best defense in the country, Cameron Boozer is the best player in the country — and one of the best pure winners in recent memory — and the Blue Devils' guards are producing more consistently. The February 21 win over Michigan answered any remaining questions about their title credentials.

Big West Conference

Championship: Saturday, March 14, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

A genuine three-way race. UC Santa Barbara has the offensive firepower and owns wins over both top contenders — the key is whether Miro Little returns from a lingering injury. Hawai'i keeps finding ways to win, even on the mainland (see: Saturday's last-second miracle at Cal State Fullerton). UC Irvine's Kyle Evans (3.4 BPG, leading the nation) anchors a squad ranked first nationally in defense inside the 3-point line.

WAC

Championship: Saturday, March 14, midnight ET (ESPN2)

Consensus pick: California Baptist. Dominique Daniels Jr. has scored 25+ points in 13 games this season, including a 47-point explosion against Utah Valley in overtime. The Lancers pair his scoring prowess with the WAC's best defense — a winning combination.

Ivy League

Championship: Sunday, March 15, noon ET (ESPN2)

Consensus pick: Yale. The Bulldogs rank second nationally in 3-point shooting (41%) and have made back-to-back NCAA tournaments. Nick Townsend is the best player in the league, and coach James Jones has proven he can win in March.

Atlantic 10 Conference

Championship: Sunday, March 15, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Consensus pick: Saint Louis. Six players averaging double figures, shooting 59% inside and 41% from three with a top-35 defense. Robbie Avila (12.6 PPG, 4.1 APG, 41% from 3) runs the show for coach Josh Schertz.

SEC

Championship: Sunday, March 15, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Consensus pick: Florida. The Gators are running away with the regular-season title, something they didn't win during their national championship run a year ago. The frontcourt of Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, and Rueben Chinyelu may be even more dominant than last year's title squad, and coach Todd Golden's defense has been suffocating lately.

American Conference

Championship: Sunday, March 15, 3:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Consensus pick: South Florida. In coach Bryan Hodgson's first season, the Bulls rank 10th nationally in offensive rebounding and 16th in tempo. Izaiyah Nelson (16.3 PPG, 9.9 RPG) is the league's most intimidating presence on a team that also ranks second in defensive efficiency.

Big Ten Conference

Championship: Sunday, March 15, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Consensus pick: Michigan. Even after the Duke loss, the Wolverines remain national championship front-runners. Coach Dusty May has the perfect blend of size, depth, physicality, shooting, and speed. Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara anchor an elite defense, while Elliot Cadeau has made strides at point guard.

Championship Week Schedule at a Glance

Tournament Dates	Conference	Championship	TV
March 4-7	Ohio Valley (Evansville)	Fri, March 7, 9 p.m.	ESPN2
—	Big South	Sun, March 8, noon	ESPN2
—	Missouri Valley	Sun, March 8, noon	CBS
—	ASUN	Sun, March 8, 2 p.m.	ESPN2
—	Summit League	Sun, March 8, 9 p.m.	CBSSN
—	Southern	Mon, March 9, 7 p.m.	ESPN
March 3-9	Sun Belt	Sun, March 9, 7 p.m.	ESPN
March 2-10	Horizon (Indianapolis)	Mon, March 10, 7 p.m.	ESPN
—	Northeast	Mon, March 10, 7 p.m.	ESPN2
—	CAA	Mon, March 10, 7 p.m.	CBSSN
—	WCC	Mon, March 10, 9 p.m.	ESPN
—	MAAC	Mon, March 10, 7 p.m.	ESPN2
—	Southland	Wed, March 11, 5 p.m.	ESPN2
March 3-11	Patriot (campus sites)	Tue, March 11, 7 p.m.	CBSSN
—	Big Sky	Wed, March 11, 11:30 p.m.	ESPN2
March 7, 10, 14	America East (campus)	Fri, March 14, 11 a.m.	ESPN2
—	MEAC	Sat, March 14, 1 p.m.	ESPN2
March 11-14	Mountain West	Sat, March 14, 6 p.m.	CBS
March 10-14	Big 12 (Kansas City)	Sat, March 14, 6 p.m.	ESPN
March 11-14	Big East (New York)	Sat, March 14, 6:30 p.m.	FOX
—	SWAC	Sat, March 14, 7:30 p.m.	ESPNU
—	MAC	Sat, March 14, 8 p.m.	ESPN2
—	Conference USA	Sat, March 14, 8:30 p.m.	CBSSN
March 10-14	ACC (Charlotte)	Sat, March 14, 8:30 p.m.	ESPN
—	Big West	Sat, March 14, 10 p.m.	ESPN2
—	WAC	Sat, March 14, midnight	ESPN2
—	Ivy League	Sun, March 15, noon	ESPN2
—	Atlantic 10	Sun, March 15, 1 p.m.	CBS
—	SEC	Sun, March 15, 1 p.m.	ESPN
—	American	Sun, March 15, 3:15 p.m.	ESPN
—	Big Ten	Sun, March 15, 3:30 p.m.	CBS

Note: Early-round games held at campus sites for many conferences unless venue noted.

Let the madness begin.

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