There are 32 conferences in NCAA Division I men’s college basketball. As is the case with collegiate football, the eventual national champion will come from a select group every year. A group of 12 to 15 schools is made up of the likes of Villanova, Duke, and Kansas, among other schools which will end up taking home the national championship trophy.
Of course, a Cinderella does pop up from time to time. Loyola from a year ago surprised many by reaching the Final Four before Michigan wrote finish to the Ramblers’ dreams.
In February, the various conference races are well in place. There are no undefeated teams left standing. Among the various conferences few teams are left with undefeated records.
Tennessee of the Southeastern Conference not only is first in the most recent national poll, the Volunteers remain unscathed in Conference with a 10-0 record to start the week. Tennessee’s lone setback was at the hands of Kansas, 87-81, around Thanksgiving.
It has been almost a given for a decade that Kansas would emerge the champion in the Big 12 Conference race in recent seasons. The Jayhawks still could, however. Kansas has some ground to make up. Entering this week, Kansas, 18-6 and 7-4, trails conference leader, and state rival, Kansas State, which is 8-2 in conference.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs might have the best shot of any NCAA Division I team of being undefeated in conference. The ’Zags are 23-2 overall and 10-0 in the West Coast Conference. National runner-up two years ago, Gonzaga is regarded as far superior to any team in its conference. It was Tennessee’s victory over Gonzaga that thrust it into the national spotlight and high ranking.