NCAA Basketball March Madness

10 Underdog Teams That Could Win Their Conference Tournament

Underdog Teams That Could Win Their Conference Tournament

Connecticut Basketball
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In the non-shocking news of the day, teams like Kentucky, Kansas and Gonzaga are all expected to win their conference tournament. However, if those three teams, as well as other conference favorites, do not keep their foot on the gas pedal, they could end up losing their conference tournament.

It is these 10 underdog teams that could end up winning their conference tournament.

10. Connecticut Huskies — AAC

Connecticut Huskies
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10. Connecticut Huskies — AAC

Connecticut Huskies
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, Connecticut no longer has Shabazz Napier to lean on, but it does have Ryan Boatright, who is averaging 17.5 points per game. The Huskies have also been challenged all season long, and it's not like the AAC is the most talented conference in America.

9. George Washington Colonials — Atlantic 10

George Washington Colonials
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9. George Washington Colonials — Atlantic 10

George Washington Colonials
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George Washington basically blew its chance of making the dance by having a recent four-game losing streak. Still, this is a team that has beaten the Wichita State Shockers on the season, so that has to count for something. Underdog? Yes, but it is still 18-10 on the season and 8-7 in conference play.

8. North Carolina State Wolfpack — ACC

North Carolina State Wolfpack
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8. North Carolina State Wolfpack — ACC

North Carolina State Wolfpack
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The ACC has some powerhouses at the top of the conference, so the next two teams are as underdog as they come. In North Carolina State's defense, it has beaten Duke, Louisville and North Carolina this season. That is pretty darn impressive for any team.

7. Miami Hurricanes — ACC

Miami Hurricanes
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7. Miami Hurricanes — ACC

Miami Hurricanes
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Miami has had an up-and-down season, but it does have wins over Florida (which was great at the time), Duke, Syracuse and North Carolina State.

6. Michigan State Spartans — Big Ten

Michigan State Spartans
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6. Michigan State Spartans — Big Ten

Michigan State Spartans
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Michigan State is on a four-game winning streak. As we have seen in years past, entering conference tournament season hot can lead to that automatic bid. For what it's worth, the Spartans are only 2.5 games out of first place in the Big Ten standings with four games to play.

5. Oklahoma State Cowboys — Big 12

Oklahoma State Cowboys
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5. Oklahoma State Cowboys — Big 12

Oklahoma State Cowboys
Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas may be the favorite, but the Big 12 tournament is completely up for grabs. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they are riding a three-game losing streak. Before that, though, they beat Texas, Kansas and Baylor in back-to-back-to-back games, showing they can beat anyone in the conference.

4. St. John’s Red Storm — Big East

St. John’s Red Storm
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4. St. John’s Red Storm — Big East

St. John’s Red Storm
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

St. John's has D'Angelo Harrison, who is an absolute scoring machine (18.4 PPG). This is a team that could make the dance, and will have some added motivation in the Big East tourney as a result of being on the bubble.

3. Long Beach State 49ers — Big West

Long Beach State 49ers
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3. Long Beach State 49ers — Big West

Long Beach State 49ers
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

This one is a long shot, but just look at Long Beach State's non-conference schedule -- it is absolutely brutal. Despite the fact that the 49ers have dropped four games in a row, they have been challenged many times this season, and are also 7-5 in the Big West.

2. LSU Tigers — SEC

LSU Tigers
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2. LSU Tigers — SEC

LSU Tigers
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

This conference would be more wide open if it weren't for Kentucky. Sure, the Wildcats are still undefeated, but they have almost lost numerous times on the season. One of those times was against LSU (71-69). It is only a matter of time before Kentucky drops a game -- well, maybe.

Regardless, the Tigers have a couple of stars and the talent to win the SEC tournament.

1. BYU Cougars — WCC

BYU Cougars
Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

1. BYU Cougars — WCC

BYU Cougars
Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Like the SEC, the WCC has one very dominant team in it, which is Gonzaga. However, BYU is riding a four-game winning streak, it has the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation (84.4 PPG) and it also has Tyler Haws, who is one of the top scorers in college basketball (22.4 PPG). Getting by the Bulldogs will not be easy, but the Cougars have the scoring power to achieve the unthinkable.

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