NBK 2018: Through Saturday

March Madness is upon us, with one week to go until Selection Sunday and “Champ Week” (what a horrible name) getting in the swing.

Ken Pomeroy has tweeted conference tournament odds for all but one conference — the American wraps up play today with Cincy and Wichita St vying for the #1 seed.

Here’s how all that affects those teams looking to make the Sweet Sixteen for the first time ever (or at least since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985).  These teams have Never Been Kissed.

NBK through 3/3. Data courtesy basketballreference.com and kenpom.com
  • Vermont stands the best chance of winning their conference tournament (75%), followed not too far behind by Bucknell (69%)
  • Nebraska lost to Michigan in their Big 10 tournament opener, and looks at this point like a sure bet to be NIT-bound.  The Huskers one-point loss to Kansas in December will haunt their offseason.  At the time the close loss seemed indicative that Kansas would be lousy; instead it turns out Nebraska was pretty good and Kansas was Kansas.
  • In happier news, Murray St. took care of business and won the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, beating Belmont to avenge their last loss.  The Racers go into the NCAA tournament on a 13-game winning streak.
  • Norhern Kentucky stumbled out of the gate in the Horizon tournament, losing by nine to putrid Cleveland St (#317 KenPom).
  • Middle Tennessee stumbled this week as well, losing their final regular season game to Marshall.   They still remain a strong favorite to win the C-USA tournament (42%) and an outside shot of securing an at-large berth (#44 KenPom)
  • SMU stinks.  They should not be in the NBK.