Welcome back, sports fans as we tackle the 31 men’s conferences’ race for the regular season title. We did this analysis for the women over the weekend and like that version, we will jump right in because there is a lot of data. We will start with the conference calculated as worst in our early February ranking of such things and move through to the top conference. Records and ranking are accurate through Monday’s games – for the purpose of this post, we are ignoring games played on Tuesday if they finish prior to publishing.
…..
The tables in each conference section have 4 columns. The first two have overall record/GCR Rank and conference record for those teams that can still mathematically win their conference. Conference games played vary widely so we will let you know how many games are scheduled. The Head-to-Head column is the overall record against any teams still in the race. The Magic Number column is the number of combined wins (by the best opponent not “yourself”) and losses (by “yourself”) for elimination. The lower the number, the closer to elimination. For example, in the MEAC, if Howard wins 3 more games, Morgan St is out. If Morgan St loses the rest of their games, Morgan St is out. If HOW wins 2 and MORG loses 2, MORG is out. For MORG to win, 5 of the remaining 7 games (3 for HOW and 4 for MORG) must be in favor of MORG (a win for them or a loss for Howard).
…..
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The overall weakest conference among the men, the MEAC plays 14 conference games. A few superlatives, they have the worst GCR-ranked team that can still mathematically win the regular season with Coppin St. They have 4 of the 5 teams ranked over 300 that are still alive for their conference tourney #1 seed, and Howard is the lowest ranked team leading their conference as of this post. They still have to play Coppin St, Morgan St, and Norfolk St. Morgan St also plays SC St, Norfolk St, and Coppin St while Norfolk St plays Coppin St as well. NC Central has SC St on the schedule. Only the winner of the tourney will make the NCAAs.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Howard (18-10/213) | 8-3 | 5-2 | 5 |
| Morgan St (11-14/306) | 7-3 | 4-2 | 4 |
| Norfolk St (14-14/285) | 7-4 | 4-3 | 3 |
| NC Central (10-16/309) | 6-5 (loses tie vs Howard) | 4-5 | 1 |
| SC St (7-19/343) | 5-5 | 2-5 | 2 |
| Coppin St (7-21/349) | 5-6 | 2-4 | 1 |
…..
The Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC). With an 18-game conference schedule, the remaining contenders only have a single game left among them when Bethune and Southern compete. Alabama A&M and Ark Pine Bluff are not in the list below due to tie break elimination.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Bethune (15-13/194) | 12-3 | 1-2 | 6 |
| Southern (13-14/275) | 9-5 (wins tie over Bethune) | 2-0 | 2 |
| Jackson St (9-18/308) | 8-6 | 1-2 | 1 |
…..
The American East Conference. No team has won 20 yet, but two teams can before the conference tourney begins. Pretty sure it would take more than that to have two teams in the NCAAs, but still pretty interesting. Balt County still has to play Lowell and NJ Tech while Vermont also plays Lowell as part of their 16-game schedule.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Balt County (18-8/186) | 11-2 | 3-1 | 5 |
| Vermont (18-11/187) | 10-4 | 3-1 | 3 |
| NJ Tech (15-14/230) | 10-4 | 2-2 | 3 |
| Lowell (13-15/272) | 8-5 | 0-4 | 1 |
…..
The Northeast Conference. Congratulations to Long Island (19-10/127) for winning the regular season title.
…..
The Patriot League. Congratulations to Navy (23-6/103) for winning the regular season title.
…..
The Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN). With just 2 games left of the 18-game conference slate, only two teams are still contenders. Austin Peay and C Arkansas play each other later this week in a game that could decide the title – they have not played earlier this season.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Austin Peay (21-6/95) | 15-1 | 0-0 | 4 |
| C Arkansas (18-11/159) | 13-3 | 0-0 | 1 |
…..
The Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). These teams play each other 20 times over the course of the season. SEMO still plays Tennessee St who also plays UT Martin. Morehead St could have the advantage by not playing any of the contenders. The top 3 teams have identical conference records (with UTM just one game behind) so this is a true fight to the finish. The top seed in the conference tourney is important because at this level it is difficult for two teams to make the NCAAs.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| SEMO (18-11/146) | 13-5 | 4-1 | 3 |
| TN St (19-9/119) | 13-5 | 2-2 | 3 |
| Morehead St (17-12/175) | 13-5 | 3-3 | 3 |
| UT Martin (20-9/133) | 12-6 | 1-4 | 2 |
…..
The Summit League. Congratulations to North Dakota St (23-6/90) for winning the regular season title.
…..
The Big Sky Conference. Portland St is a single win (or losses by both Montana St and E Washington) from clinching. Their 18-game schedule is nearing an end. Portland St and Montana St still have a game against each other.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Portland St (18-8/120) | 12-3 | 2-1 | 6 |
| Montana St (15-13/211) | 9-6 | 0-1 | 1 |
| E Washington (11-17/273) | 9-6 | 1-1 | 1 |
…..
The Southland Conference. It is a close one between the final two contenders who faced a 22-game conference slog. They don’t play each other again before the tourney, but the title could come down to the last day. If these teams meet in the conference tourney final, both could make it to the NCAAs.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Steph F Austin (25-4/65) | 18-2 | 1-1 | 2 |
| McNeese (24-5/50) | 17-3 | 1-1 | 1 |
…..
The Big South Conference. Congratulations to High Point (26-4/68) for winning the regular season title.
…..
The Southern Conference (SoCon). Congratulations to E Tenn St (21-8/82) for winning the regular season title.
…..
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Congratulations to Merrimack (20-9/73) for winning the regular season title.
…..
The Horizon League. These teams face off in a 20-game conference schedule and only two teams remain in contention. Both Oakland and Detroit were eliminated due to tie-breaking against Wright St. Robert Morris swept the season series against front-runner Wright St, so with two wins AND 2 losses by WRST, they steal the crown.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Wright St (18-11/116) | 13-5 | 0-2 | 4 |
| Robert Morris (19-10/130) | 11-7 | 2-0 | 1 |
…..
The Sun Belt Conference. They play 18 conference games a season, there are just 1 or 2 left for each team and 7 clubs have a chance to win the regular season title. Insanity thy name is the Sun Belt. To add to the insanity, there is only one game left among the contenders when App St plays Texas St.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| App St (19-11/131) | 11-6 | 3-2 | 3 |
| Troy (18-11/99) | 10-6 (loses tie with App St) | 4-4 | 1 |
| Marshall (18-11/75) | 10-6 | 3-4 | 2 |
| South Alabama (20-9/98) | 10-6 (loses tie with App St) | 4-4 | 1 |
| Texas St (18-12/173) | 10-7 | 3-3 | 1 |
| Arkansas St (18-11/105) | 9-7 | 4-4 | 1 |
| Coastal (17-12/132) | 9-7 | 4-4 | 1 |
…..
The Big West Conference. We thought the Sun Belt was crazy. In a conference that plays a 20-game schedule, we have 8 teams still in contention with 3 of them tied for the top spot. UC Irvine plays Northridge, Santa Barbara, Cal Poly, and UC Davis. Hawaii plays UC Davis and Fullerton. Northridge plays Fullerton. Santa Barbara and Fullerton also play UC San Diego.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| UC Irvine (18-10/97) | 11-5 | 5-5 | 5 |
| Hawaii (19-7/91) | 11-5 | 7-5 | 5 |
| Northridge (18-10/102) | 11-5 | 8-4 | 5 |
| UC Davis (17-11/142) | 10-7 | 6-6 | 3 |
| Santa Barbara (17-11/144) | 10-7 | 5-7 | 3 |
| Fullerton (15-14/195) | 10-7 | 5-5 | 3 |
| UC San Diego (19-9/89) | 9-7 | 5-7 | 3 |
| Cal Poly (12-16/247) | 8-8 | 5-7 | 2 |
…..
The Ivy League. In a short 14-game conference schedule, the two biggest rivals are left. Penn is no longer a contender due to tiebreakers. Both teams have four games left, but do not face each other until the conference tourney.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Yale (21-4/30) | 9-2 | 1-1 | 5 |
| Harvard (15-10/147) | 8-3 | 1-1 | 3 |
…..
Conference USA. Congratulations to Liberty (26-4/45) for winning the regular season title.
…..
The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). Two teams remain in the 18-game conference race. To make it even better Wilmington and Charleston still have to face off one more time.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Wilmington (24-4/43) | 13-2 | 1-0 | 5 |
| Charleston (19-10/77) | 12-4 | 0-1 | 2 |
…..
The Mid-American Conference (MAC). The only undefeated team in men’s basketball still has not clinched the regular season title. There are just two games left and another win or an Akron loss will give Miami OH the banner in this dream season. Both teams deserve an NCAA bid.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Miami OH (27-0/32) | 14-0 (wins the tie over Akron) | 1-0 | 4 |
| Akron (22-5/53) | 13-1 | 0-1 | 1 |
…..
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC). In a conference where each team plays round-robin three times to total 18 games, there are 3 teams still in contention. Utah Valley and Utah Tech have one more game to go after splitting the previous 2.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Utah Valley (20-7/67) | 10-4 | 3-2 | 5 |
| Utah Tech (17-12/128) | 10-5 | 2-3 | 4 |
| CA Baptist (19-8/71) | 9-5 (loses tie to Utah Valley) | 3-3 | 3 |
…..
The Mountain West Conference. Another wild west finish as 6 teams fight for the top spot as the 20-game conference schedule is coming to a close. Utah St plays San Diego St, Grand Canyon, UNLV, and New Mexico. San Diego St also plays New Mexico and UNLV. New Mexico adds Nevada. Nevada and Canyon add UNLV.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Utah St (23-4/24) | 13-3 | 3-3 | 6 |
| San Diego St (18-8/60) | 12-4 | 3-3 | 4 |
| New Mexico (21-6/47) | 12-4 | 4-1 | 4 |
| Nevada (18-9/58) | 10-6 | 2-4 | 2 |
| Grand Canyon (17-10/76) | 10-6 | 3-4 | 2 |
| UNLV (14-13/183) | 9-7 | 2-2 | 1 |
…..
The American Athletic Conference (AAC). In yet another slugfest, we have six teams still in contention this late in an 18-game conference schedule. South Florida plays Tulane and Charlotte. Tulsa also plays Tulane. UAB also plays Charlotte.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| South Florida (19-8/56) | 11-3 | 4-2 | 6 |
| Tulsa (22-6/64) | 10-5 (loses tie with South Florida) | 4-4 | 2 |
| Wichita St (18-10/92) | 10-5 | 5-3 | 3 |
| UAB (18-10/106) | 9-6 | 2-4 | 2 |
| Charlotte (14-13/189) | 8-6 | 2-3 | 2 |
| Tulane (17-10/101) | 8-6 | 1-2 | 2 |
…..
The Missouri Valley Conference. Congratulations to Belmont for winning the regular season title.
…..
The West Coast Conference (WCC). Another conference that plays 18 games. Three teams are left. Gonzaga is in the driver’s seat, but St Mary’s plays them and Santa Clara – they could make an impact. All three teams deserve an NCAA bid.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Gonzaga (27-2/17) | 15-1 | 3-0 | 4 |
| Santa Clara (23-6/33) | 14-2 (loses tie with Gonzaga) | 1-2 | 1 |
| St Marys (25-4/22) | 14-2 | 0-2 | 2 |
…..
The Atlantic 10 Conference. This one could be over in the next couple of days as St Louis is just inches away. Another 18-game conference. Another push to the finish. St Louis plays Dayton and George Mason. VCU also plays George Mason.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| St Louis (25-2/25) | 13-1 | 3-0 | 6 |
| VCU (21-7/37) | 12-3 (loses tie with St Louis) | 1-3 | 2 |
| George Mason (21-6/57) | 9-5 | 1-1 | 1 |
| Dayton (18-9/69) | 9-5 | 1-2 | 1 |
…..
The Big East Conference. The Big East, both men and women, play a 20-game conference schedule starting this season. The race is down to the three best teams. St Johns, the current leader, plays both UCONN and Villanova. They control their own destiny.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| St Johns (22-5/21) | 15-1 | 1-0 | 5 |
| UCONN (25-3/4) | 15-2 | 2-1 | 4 |
| Villanova (21-6/23) | 12-4 | 0-2 | 2 |
…..
The Big Ten Conference. These 18 teams play 20 conference games. Michigan still plays Illinois and Michigan St. Purdue still has Michigan St and Wisconsin. Nebraska is the only remaining contender who avoids the other contenders.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Michigan (25-2/2) | 15-1 | 3-1 | 7 |
| Illinois (22-6/7) | 13-4 | 2-3 | 2 |
| Purdue (22-5/5) | 12-4 | 2-2 | 2 |
| Nebraska (23-4/12) | 12-4 | 3-3 | 2 |
| Michigan St (22-5/8) | 12-4 | 1-2 | 2 |
| Wisconsin (19-8/34) | 11-5 | 2-2 | 1 |
…..
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This conference has 18 teams who play 18 conference games. Duke still faces Virginia, NC St, and North Carolina. Virginia also plays NC St. Miami FL has no more games against contenders.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Duke (25-2/3) | 13-1 | 0-1 | 6 |
| Virginia (24-3/9) | 12-2 | 2-1 | 4 |
| Miami FL (21-6/36) | 10-4 | 2-1 | 2 |
| NC St (19-8/31) | 10-4 | 1-2 | 2 |
| North Carolina (22-6/11) | 10-5 | 2-2 | 1 |
…..
The Southeastern Conference (SEC). Kentucky is eliminated through tiebreaker, otherwise, there would have been 9 teams still in contention in an 18-game schedule. Florida has games against Texas and Arkansas. Alabama plays Tennessee. Arkansas also plays Texas A&M, Texas, and Missouri. Tennessee also plays Vanderbilt and Missouri. Texas and Texas A&M clash as well.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Florida (21-6/16) | 12-2 | 3-1 | 7 |
| Alabama (20-7/14) | 10-4 (loses tie with Florida) | 3-4 | 2 |
| Arkansas (20-7/20) | 10-4 | 3-1 | 3 |
| Tennessee (20-7/26) | 10-4 (loses tie with Florida) | 4-2 | 2 |
| Texas A&M (19-8/48) | 9-5 (loses tie with Florida) | 1-5 | 1 |
| Texas (17-10/66) | 8-6 | 3-2 | 1 |
| Vanderbilt (21-6/18) | 8-6 | 2-4 | 1 |
| Missouri (18-9/51) | 8-6 | 3-3 | 1 |
…..
The Big 12 Conference. The best conference in the league also plays an 18-game schedule and has 5 very good teams still in contention. Arizona plays both Kansas and Iowa St who also plays Texas Tech. Only Houston has no more games against contenders. This one will go down to the last game or two of the season.
| Team (Record) | Conference Record | Head-to-Head | Magic Number |
| Arizona (25-2/1) | 12-2 | 1-2 | 6 |
| Kansas (21-7/6) | 11-4 | 4-1 | 4 |
| Houston (23-5/13) | 11-4 | 1-4 | 3 |
| Iowa St (23-4/10) | 10-4 | 2-1 | 3 |
| Texas Tech (20-7/15) | 10-4 | 2-2 | 3 |
…..
That’s it for today. We hope you enjoyed both the men’s and women’s conference contender evaluation. The best thing about college sports is some of these teams are playing opponents that fell off these lists weeks ago in the next few days. And they can lose throwing wrenches into not only conference standings, but also conference tourney seeding, and even tournament selection and seeding.
…..
Thank you for reading and sharing with others, JoJo and G.
