2024 NCAAB conference tournament picks and preview

Thirty-two automatic bids will be handed out for the 2024 men’s NCAA Tournament, and YouBet provides the details and offers picks for six major conferences.

Atlantic Coast – Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (finals)

North Carolina won the regular-season title by two games over Duke, and the Tar Heels rank 25th in offensive efficiency and sixth in defensive efficiency, making them a serious national title contender. Virginia gives the conference three probable bids for the 68-team NCAA Tournament, and Wake Forest and Pittsburgh will look to guarantee an at-large bid by winning games in the ACC tourney.

ACC tourney pick: Wake Forest. Demon Deacons upset Duke on Feb. 24, but they lost their next three games, placing them squarely on the bubble. Wake Forest got back on track with a nice win over Clemson in the regular-season finale, and it has the offensive firepower to make a serious run in the conference tourney.

Big East – Saturday, 6:30 p.m.

Connecticut is favored to win its sixth national championship, and the Huskies are odds-on to win the conference tournament. They will face solid competition.

Creighton and Marquette have serious aspirations in the NCAA tourney, both teams rank in the top 25 in offensive and defensive efficiency, and Seton Hall and St. John’s have probably done enough. Villanova, Providence, and Butler reside more on the bubble, with the opportunity to enhance their profile by winning at least one tourney game.

Big East tourney pick: Marquette. The Golden Eagles lost twice to Connecticut in the final three weeks of the regular season, so they’ll be motivated to turn the tables, and Marquette’s improved offensive production this season (scored at least 85 points in 10 of last 15 games) will yield dividends in the postseason.

Big Ten – Sunday, 3:30 p.m. 

Purdue is formidable, considered by many to be the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament, but longshots have fared well in the Big Ten tourney. No. 10 seed Penn State reached the conference finals last year, and teams ranked fifth or worse have reached the conference final five of the last six years, winning thrice.

Illinois, Nebraska, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Michigan State have a good chance to join Purdue in the 68-team field. Ohio State and Iowa need to win games in the Big Ten tourney to qualify.

Big Ten tourney pick: Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been revitalized since assistant Jake Diebler replaced Chris Holtmann as interim head coach, winning four straight and five of the last six, and the Buckeyes have the talent to carry their momentum forward.

Big 12 – Saturday, 6 p.m.

Kansas wins nearly every year, but the Jayhawks are banged up, with Hunter Dickinson battling a shoulder injury and Kevin McCullar Jr. recovering from a knee issue, and Kansas lacked depth before the injuries.

The Big 12 will probably receive at least nine bids, and Iowa State rates a slight favorite entering the conference tourney. The Cyclones rank No. 2 in defensive efficiency, but their offense can be woeful. Houston lost a starter late in the season, but the Cougars still have the firepower to make a serious run. Baylor has the talent to make a deep run.

Big 12 tourney pick: Texas. The Longhorns got off to a rough start in Big 12 play, but they concluded the regular season strong, and starters Dylan Disu and Brock Cunningham are back from injury. Texas has the offensive and defensive balance to improve its seeding with a deep Big 12 tourney run.

Mountain West – Saturday, 6 p.m.

The Mountain West produced 2023 runner-up San Diego State and at least five teams (San Diego State, Utah State, Nevada, Boise State, and Colorado State) are projected to make this year’s NCAA tourney field. UNLV and New Mexico will look to earn their way with a good showing in the MWC tourney.

MWC tourney pick: Nevada. The Wolf Pack are playing some of the best basketball in the country presently, entering the postseason on a seven-game win streak. 

Southeastern – Sunday, 1 p.m.

Tennessee will look to shore up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tourney by winning at least a couple of games. Kentucky has the offense to win it all, and the Wildcats will look to continue the improved defense they showed winning at Tennessee in the regular-season finale.

The SEC appears poised to receive seven or eight bids, with Mississippi State and Texas both on the bubble, needing to win SEC tourney games to secure a bid.

SEC tourney pick: Auburn. The Tigers are one of only four teams ranked in the top 15 in offensive and defensive efficiency. Auburn will carry its strong form forward in the SEC tourney.