College Hoops Knowledge
As Selection Sunday approaches, UConn defends their title and Ohio State'sstepping up their game
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UConn coach Jim CalhounHoop Thoughts -
John Shurna of Northwestern, which is reading for the Big Dance for the firsttime ever.Photo by Joshua Beckman/Flickr
Championship Week is fun for hoops fans because it’s a chance for all of the smaller conferences to get their chance in the spotlight. But this week is also important because the major conference tournament showdowns will go a long way toward determining the field of 68.
And the seeding in it.
Here is a look at some of the top storylines for the six BCS conferences as everyone starts jostling for New Orleans and the Final Four in earnest.
ACC
Duke and North Carolina split their regular season meetings so far, and a rematch in the ACC final could determine a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Don’t discount Florida State though, which defeated both of those teams and just missed out on a share of the league title.
North Carolina State and Miami are the two bubble teams to watch. Neither can afford a first-round loss to inferior opponents. For either team to definitely play itself in, two wins are required.
BIG EAST
The story here is that this will be the last Big East tournament in the conference’s familiar configuration, so emotions will be running high. All eyes will be on defending national champion Connecticut.
Coach Jim Calhoun is back from back surgery and the Huskies look like they're back too, blitzing DePaul 81-67 in the first round Tuesday afternoon. A similar win last season started UConn on its legendary run to that NCAA title — won in Houston.
South Florida and West Virginia are also sweating it out. Meanwhile Syracuse might still have a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed even if it loses its first game.
BIG 12
Kansas and Missouri potentially could meet up for a third time in the championship game. Considering their first two contests, that would be something, especially with a potential No. 1 NCAA seed up for grabs.
Five teams seem like sure tourney things, especially after Iowa State got another huge resume win over Baylor last weekend. Texas seems to be on the wrong side of the bubble as we speak, but a win over Iowa State in its first Big 12 tourney game could change that.
BIG TEN
Many people feel like the Big Ten is the best league in the nation this year, and, after a three-way tie for the regular-season title, the tourney is up for grabs. Ohio State’s clutch win on Sunday over Michigan State will have the Buckeyes' confidence brimming for a Final Four run.
Will this be the year that Northwestern makes the Big Dance for the first time in history? The Wildcats have to beat Minnesota in their first Big Ten Tournament game, and, considering their 8-10 conference record, probably need a second-round win over Michigan as well.
PAC 12
It’s hard to fathom, but the once-proud Pac 12 is staring at the distinct possibility that only the tournament winner will make the field of 68. Who deserves at-large consideration?
Washington backed into the league's regular season title but its RPI is a weak 57. California has the league’s best RPI, but like most of the other conference members, its record is terrible against quality opponents.
As tumultuous as things have been for UCLA this season, the Bruins' win Saturday over Washington has them dreaming of the postseason.
SEC
Other than Kentucky’s dominance, there has been nothing remotely predictable about the SEC this season. Tennessee grabbed the No. 2 seed in the conference tourney despite an RPI in the seventies. Alabama’s rollercoaster season seemed to have been going in the right direction until the Crimson Tide tanked at Mississippi last weekend.
And Mississippi State, which is loaded with talent, is trying to claw its way back from a five-game losing streak in February.
It should be fun to watch, so enjoy it. When next we talk, we’ll know who’s in the field of 68.
One of the weekend's major talking points was the addition of the new Paddock Hospitality track at the top of Turn 1. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although he is not in contention for a repeat championship, Lando Norris remains a crowd favorite. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli led from the start, never losing placement as he claimed his ninth win of the season. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It was hard to get a moment with Paddock star the Ferrari Pope, who posed for pictures all weekend. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli greeted the Grandstand before boarding the trailer ahead of the Driver's Parade on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Lily Zneimer stopped for a quick portrait before heading into the McLaren garage to support her boyfriend, driver Oscar Piastri.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Michael Dell made their way to the McLaren garage just before the qualifying round on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
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COTA's new attraction is the theme park, aptly named COTALand. Clearly, the jury remains out on the spectacle. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's not uncommon to see fans lined up outside of the Paddock as they wait for their favorite drivers and teams to head out for the day. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Last year's US Grand Prix winner, Max Verstappen, finished third this year after starting second on the grid. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Alpine's pit crew got their warm-ups done shortly before race start on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
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Interior designer and Miss Jamaica Universe 1994 Angelie Spencer was on site to support her favorite team, Ferrari. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
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Although Antonelli took home the winner’s trophy, he did not clinch the driver’s championship as some had hoped. He needed teammate George Russell to fall to 9th and ex-Mercedes world champion Lewis Hamilton to finish in 5th. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Mercedes garage was full of adrenaline as they waited for Antonelli to arrive at parc fermé and take the traditional plunge into the hands of his crew.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The championship is all but Antonelli’s, with one hand firmly on the grip of the trophy. He is expected to complete his first-ever world championship this weekend in Mexico.Photo by Daniel Cavazos