Wisconsin's Mike Bruesewitz tries to save the ball from going out of bounds as Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas points to the sideline. The two Big Ten powers battled in the conference's title game at the United Center in Chicago on Sunday. Thomas and the Buckeyes won 50-43.

Wisconsin's George Marshall attempts to save the ball from going out of bounds in the Badgers' seven-point loss to Ohio State in the title game. If both teams can win their first three games of the upcoming NCAA tourney, there would be a rematch in the Elite Eight — in the West Regional in Los Angeles — in two weeks.

Florida center Patric Young (left) attempts a shot as two Mississippi players defend during the first half of their SEC title game showdown in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday. Young only finished with three points, as his top-seeded Gators fell to the Rebels 66-63.

Mississippi's Reginald Buckner scores two of his 11 points in the SEC title game at Bridgestone Arena. The Rebels (26-8) have won seven of eight, grabbed their first tournament title since 1981 and their second in the program's history.

Wants what? The ACC title game? Miami and Durand Scott (right) obviously do ... even though he seems to be heading in the opposite direction of the loose ball here in Sunday's conference championship game against North Carolina and James Michael McAdoo (43). Scott only scored six points — to McAdoo's 12 — but the Hurricanes won 87-77.

Miami's Julian Gamble slams home two of his 11 points in the 10-point victory over North Carolina in Greensboro, NC. The ninth-ranked Hurricanes claimed the program's first conference tournament title to go along with their first regular-season crown.

VCU guard Troy Daniels shoots over two Saint Louis defenders during the first half of the A-10 championship game in Brooklyn, NY, on Sunday. Daniels, who averaged 12.5 points per game, was held scoreless as his 25th-ranked Rams lost to the No. 16 Billikens 62-56.

Louisville Cardinals guard Russ Smith goes up for a shot over Syracuse Orange center Baye Keita during the first half of the Big East championship game at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The Cardinals won, 78-61.

Inspirational former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand attends the Big East championship game. LeGrand was paralyzed making a tackle in 2010 but has displayed a positive attitude in his many public appearances.

Akron celebrates with the trophy after defeating Ohio, 65-46, in the Mid-American Conference tournament final on Saturday, clinching an NCAA berth for the Zips.

Streamers fly as Kansas wins the Big 12 tournament championship in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday. The Jayhawks defeated Kansas State, 70-54.

Ohio Bobcats guard Stevie Taylor and coach Jim Christian urge on their team during the MAC tournament final against the Akron Zips at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Saturday. Akron won, 65-46.

Maryland Terrapins huddle at the foul line during their ACC tournament game Saturday against North Carolina in Greensboro, NC. Maryland lost to North Carolina, 79-76.

Ohio State Buckeyes forward Deshaun Thomas (1) shoots against the Michigan State Spartans Saturday in their Big Ten tournament game in Chicago. Ohio State won, 57-53.

Mississippi Rebels guard Martavious Newby (1) leads the team into the locker room Saturday at halftime of their SEC tournament game against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. Ole Miss won 64-52.

Maryland Terrapins forward Charles Mitchell protects the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels forward J.P. Tokoto (25) and guard P.J. Hairston (15) defend during their ACC tournament game in Greensboro NC. North Carolina won, 79-76.

Virginia Commonwealth Rams guard Briante Weber (2) shoots over Massachusetts Minutemen forward Raphiael Putney (34) Saturday during their Atlantic 10 tournament game at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

Christian Watford of the Indiana Hoosiers passes the ball backward Saturday during a Big Ten tournament game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the United Center in Chicago. Wisconsin upset Indiana, 68-56.

North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Rodney Purvis goes up for a shot against the Miami Hurricanes Saturday during the ACC tournament in Greensboro, NC. Miami defeated North Carolina State 81-71.

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan gestures during a Big Ten tournament game against the Indiana Hoosiers Saturday in Chicago. Ryan's Badgers upset Indiana, 68-56.

Butler's Rotnei Clarke (right) and Saint Louis' Mike McCall Jr. dive for a loose ball Saturday during an Atlantic 10 Conference tournament game in New York. Saint Louis won 67-56.

North Carolina State's Lorenzo Brown (2) drives between Miami's Durand Scott (1) and Kenny Kadji (35) during their Atlantic Coast Conference tournament game Saturday in Greensboro, N.C.

The Albany Great Danes celebrate their win over Vermont in the championship game of the America East tournament in Burlington, Vt. Albany defeated Vermont 53-49.

Florida Gators guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) drives the ball past Alabama Crimson Tide guard Rodney Cooper (21) during their SEC tournament game Saturday in Nashville, Tenn. Florida won 61-51.

Memphis Tigers forward Shaq Goodwin (5) cuts a piece of the net Saturday after beating Tulsa, 91-79, in the championship game of the Conference USA tournament in Tulsa, Okla.

Butler Bulldogs guard Rotnei Clarke (15) shoots against the Saint Louis Billikens Saturday during an Atlantic 10 tournament game at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Saint Louis won 67-56.

Colorado State's Pierce Hornung and UNLV's Anthony Bennett go after a loose ball Friday during their Mountain West Conference tournament game in Las Vegas. UNLV defeated Colorado State 75-65.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles and UTEP Miners mascots mix it up Friday during the semifinals of the Conference USA basketball tournament.

UC Irvine guard Michael Wilder (23) loses possession while trying to drive through a pair of Long Beach State players during the first half during the semifinals of the Big West Conference tournament on Friday.

Notre Dame's Garrick Sherman attempts to save the ball from going out of bounds against Louisville during the semifinals of the Big East tournament on Friday night.

Brandon Taylor of Utah goes up for the layup against Damyean Dotson of Oregon in the first half of Friday's semifinals of the Pac-12 tournament.

San Diego State's Jamaal Franklin and New Mexico's Cameron Bairstow get tangled up while going for a rebound during the second half of Friday's Mountain West Conference game. New Mexico went on to defeat San Diego State 60-50.

Kansas State forward Jordan Henriquez is knocked to the floor after blocking a shot by Oklahoma State's Markel Brown (22) during the first half of Friday's Big 12 tournament game.

Butler's Khyle Marshall dunk it home as La Salle's Tyrone Garland looks on during the second half of their Atlantic 10 Conference tournament game on Friday.

Kent State's Melvin Tabb get tangled with Akron's Zeke Marshall while driving to the hoop during the second half of Friday's semifinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament. Akron went on to win the contest, 62-59.

Tulsa forward D'Andre Wright (40) dives for a loose ball in front of Memphis forward Tarik Black (10) and Tulsa's Pat Swilling Jr. during the first half of Friday's Conference USA tournament semifinals. Memphis moved on to the championship game with the victory.

Kyle Anderson of UCLA drives on Arizona's Brandon Ashley in the first half of Friday's semifinals of the Pac-12 tournament.

Iowa State guard Tyrus McGee falls to the floor while attempting a shot over Kansas forward Kevin Young during the first half of Friday's quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament.

Vanderbilt's Rod Odom makes contact with Kentucky forward Kyle Wiltjer en route to the rim during the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament on Friday.

Nebraska forward Brandon Ubel goes up for the opening tip against Ohio State center Amir Williams in Friday's quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament in Chicago.

Syracuse forward C.J. Fair meets resistence from Georgetown players as he looks for his shot during the first half of the semifinals of the Big East tournament. Syracuse would go on to prevail in overtime.

Duke guard Quinn Cook looks to find an open teammatre from a seated position as Maryland's Nick Faust lays next to him in the first half of Friday's quarterfinals of the ACC tournament.

Wisconsin forward Ryan Evans (5) hops over Michigan forward Mitch McGary as the ball bounces out of bounds in the second half during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament at the United Center.

Tennessee forward Jarnell Stokes (5) keeps the ball away from Alabama guard Trevor Lacey (5) and center Moussa Gueye (14) during the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena.

Virginia's Darion Atkins (32) runs into N.C. State's C.J. Leslie (5) in midair during the quarterfinals of the ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum.

Boston College guard Olivier Hanlan (21) and Miami guard Shane Larkin (0) fight for the ball in the second half. The Hurricanes defeated the Eagles 69-58 during the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament at Greensboro Coliseum.

LSU forward Shavon Coleman (5) goes up for a shot while trying to avoid the Florida defender during the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena.

Darion Clark (1) of the Charlotte 49ers drives to the net against Cory Remekun (32) of the Saint Louis Billikens during the Quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament at Barclays Center. The camera angle makes them look like giants.

Indiana forward Christian Watford (2) battles for a rebound against Illinois forward Sam McLaurin (0) and guard D.J. Richardson (1) in the first half during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament at the United Center.

Miami guard Durand Scott (1) tries to pass between Boston College forward Andrew Van Nest (15) and guard Joe Rahon (25) during the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament at Greensboro Coliseum.

Memphis forward D.J. Stephens, top, fouls Tulane forward Kendall Timmons (22) and falls over him in the second half Thursday during the Conference USA tournament in Tulsa, Okla. Memphis won 81-68.

Long Beach State forward Dan Jennings (35) has the ball stolen by Cal State Fullerton guard Jared Brandon (1) as guard Chris Collins (33) defends in the first half Thursday during the Big West Conference tournament in Anaheim, Calif. Long Beach State won 75-66.
 

New Mexico State's Sim Bhullar shoots over two Idaho defenders in the second half Thursday during the Western Athletic Conference tournament in Las Vegas. New Mexico State won 65-49.

Texas A&M forward Ray Turner (35) shoots as Missouri forward Tony Criswell (left) and guard Earnest Ross defend in the first half Thursday during the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn. Missouri won, 62-50.

Hampton's Ramon Mercado reacts after the Pirates' 63-60 loss to Delaware State during the quarterfinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament.

Villanova's JayVaughn Pinkston restrains head coach Jay Wright during a timeout in the first half of the Wildcats' 74-55 loss to Louisville at the Big East Conference tournament.

Prince Ibeh durnks during the first half of Texas' 66-49 loss to Kansas State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 basketball tournament.

Charlotte's Pierria Henry celebrates with teammates after hitting critical free throws during the 49ers' 68-63 win over Richmond at the Atlantic 10 tournament.

Colorado's Ben Mills is hit in the face with the ball while scrambling for a rebound against Arizona in the first half during of Arizona's 79-69 win in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 tournament.

UCLA star freshman Shabazz Muhammad is separated from Arizona State by a referee late in the second half of the Bruins' 80-75 win in the Pac-12 quarterfinals.

Syracuse's Brandon Triche loses the ball as he drives against two defenders during the Orange's 62-59 win over Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament.

Kansas guard Travis Releford is fouled after putting up a shot against Texas Tech guard Josh Gray in the second half during of the Jayhawks' 91-63 win in the second round of the Big 12 tournament.

Devon Scott of the Dayton Flyers reacts after a foul in the game against the Butler Bulldogs Thursday during the first round of the Atlantic 10 tournament in New York City. Butler won, 73-67, and advances.

North Carolina State Wolfpack's Rodney Purvis (left) and Lorenzo Brown (right) fight for the loose ball with Virginia Tech Hokies' Jarell Eddie in the first half Thursday in Greensboro, NC. The Wolfpack won 80-63 and advance to the next round of the ACC tournament.

Cincinnati's Justin Jackson (center) battles with Georgetown's Jabril Trawick (left) and Nate Lubick (right) for a loose ball during the first half of their Big East tournament quarterfinal at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. We're not sure who came up with the ball here, but it was the Hoyas who claimed a 62-43 victory.

Michigan guard and Big Ten Player of the Year Trey Burke dives for a loose ball during the Wolverines' first-round game with Penn State in the Big Ten tournament at the United Center in Chicago. Burke tallied a game-high 21 points as No. 6 Michigan prevailed 83-66.

Lafayette's Bryce Scott (14) moves past Bucknell's Bryson Johnson (12) Wednesday during the first half of the Patriot League championship game in Lewisburg, Pa. Bucknell won 64-56 to win the league title and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Arizona State Sun Devils guard Jahii Carson shoots against Stanford Cardinal guard Gabriel Harris Wednesday during the Pac-12 tournament in Las Vegas. Carson led all scorers with 34 points as his Sun Devils won in OT 89-88.

Amir Garrett (left) of the St. John's Red Storm and JayVaughn Pinkston of the Villanova Wildcats (with ball) battle Wednesday during the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Villanova won 66-53.

Mississippi State forward Roquez Johnson (25) shoots and makes contact with South Carolina forward Michael Carrera (24) Wednesday during the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn. Mississippi State won 70-59.

UNLV's Anthony Bennett dunks against Air Force during their Mountain West Conference tournament game Wednesday in Las Vegas. UNLV won 72-56.

Auburn's Frankie Sullivan dribbles against the Texas A&M Aggies Wednesday during the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn. Sullivan's Tigers lost to the Aggies 71-62.

Myck Kabongo (left) of the Texas Longhorns and Adrick McKinney of the TCU Horned Frogs race to the ball Wednesday during the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City, Mo. Texas won 70-57.

Texas Tech forward Jordan Tolbert dunks on Virginia center Aaric Murray Wednesday during the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City, Mo. Texas Tech won 71-69.

Fresno State's Allen Huddleston shoots against Colorado State's Colton Iverson Wednesday during the Mountain West Conference tournament in Las Vegas. Colorado State won 67-61.

Cincinnati Bearcats guard JaQuon Parker (44) is fouled by Providence Friars forward LaDontae Henton (23) Wednesday during the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden. Cincinnati rolled 61-44.

Rutgers' Austin Johnson (21) gets position and draws an offensive foul as Notre Dame's Jerian Grant (22) charges while shooting Wednesday during the Big East Conference tournament in New York. Notre Dame won 69-61.

USC's Eric Wise drives on Jordan Loveridge of the Utah Utes during the first round of the Pac-12 tournament Wednesday in Las Vegas. Utah won 69-66.

LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds celebrate Tuesday after beating the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers, 91-70, to win the 2013 NEC tournament in Brooklyn, and earning a spot in the NCAA tournament.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits forward Jordan Dykstra (with plaque) celebrates with teammates Tuesday after beating the North Dakota State Bison, 73-67, for the Summit League title at Sioux Falls Arena. The win puts South Dakota State in the NCAA tournament.

The Valparaiso Crusaders celebrate after defeating the Wright State Raiders, 62-54, to win the Horizon League tournament in Valparaiso, Ind., and a bid to the NCAA tournament.

Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard strikes a pose while his Pirates play the South Florida Bulls Tuesday during the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Seton Hall won 46-42.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights congratulate guard Jerome Seagears (1) for hitting a three-point shot Tuesday against the DePaul Blue Demons during the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden. Rutgers won 76-57.

The Wyoming Cowboys bench gets fired up during Tuesday's game against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the first-round game of the Reese's Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Wyoming won 85-81.

James Madison last made the tournament in 1994. That is, until Monday, when the Dukes took down Northeastern 70-57 in the CAA tournament championship in Richmond, Va. So you can understand the enthusiasm of Ron Curry (No. 2) and guard Devon Moore (No. 40).

When you make the tournament, the fans go wild. The alumni sport their gear. And the TV dollars come rolling in. But first things first ... mom has to get her sugar. Just ask James Madison's Taylor Bessick.

When Liberty earned the Big South automatic bid with Sunday's 87-76 win over Charleston Southern in Conway, SC, on Sunday, Flames head coach Dale Layer didn't look for his mom. Instead, he planted one on wife Brenda after his team became just the second 20-loss team to reach the NCAA tournament.

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott has a unique bond with his star player — All-American Doug McDermott is his son. Here, Greg perhaps plays both coach and father, talking with Doug after Doug was called for a foul in the first half of Sunday's Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship game against Wichita State. The talk must have worked, as the Bluejays won the game 68-65 for their second consecutive tournament crown. Doug scored 14 points.

Apparently being the coach's son and one of the best players in the nation has really given Doug McDermott a big head. Oh, wait ... that's just a giant cutout of McDermott's head, a fixture in the Creighton student section. You won't see that in the NBA (and in the SEC, you get the real Ashley Judd instead of a cool giant cutout).

Mob of players on the floor? Check. Confetti flying in the air? Check. Mascot with oversized head? Triple check! Western Kentucky celebrated in style Monday night after beating Florida International 65-63 to win the Sun Belt Conference tournament at Hot Springs, Ark.

Western Kentucky better get used to the media attention — at least for the next week.

Iona guard Sean Armand takes to the stands to celebrate the Gaels' second straight trip to the NCAA tournament after Monday night's MAAC championship win over Manhattan. A season after making it as an at-large team, and knowing they had to win to get in this time, the Gaels had their hands full, but ultimately prevailed 60-57 at Springfield, Mass.

Davidson head coach Bob McKillop acknowledges the student section while holding the net after his Wildcats beat College of Charleston 74-55 to win the Southern Conference tournament Monday at Asheville, NC. Davidson is also making a return trip to Bracketville.

The bench always gets excited when a teammate slams home a huge dunk. But when All-American candidate Kelly Olynyk does it for the nation's top-ranked team in the West Coast Conference tournament championship game that sends Gonzaga to the tournament? Well, the guys in warmups get really excited.

Just take a look at Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman, who goes the extra mile to make a point to officials during Saturday's Atlantic Sun tournament championship game at Macon, Ga. It was ultimately fruitless, however, as the Bears fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 88-75.

Florida Gulf Coast coach Andy Enfield apparently tries to match his opposition scream for scream, here barking out instructions to his team in its championship game win over Mercer.

Sure, Liberty has 20 losses. And no doubt they will be a huge underdog, even in a play-in game. But on this play Andrew Smith makes about as impressive and emphatic a block as you'll see in any conference in his Flames' Big South championship-clinching win over Charleston Southern on Sunday.

James Madison forward Rayshawn Goins holds the trophy after his team defeated Northeastern 70-57 on Monday for the Colonial Athletic Association Conference tournament championship at Richmond, Va.

Wyoming's Riley Grabau defends a shot from New Mexico's Kendall Williams Wednesday during the Mountain West Conference tournament in Las Vegas. New Mexico won, 59-46.