The ACC is always a top contender

The best approach in answering this question is probably looking at the top teams in each conference and then breaking down their starting players. A lot of college basketball fans would probably jump the gun and say that the Atlantic Coast Conference is the most challenging since Duke and North Carolina are at the top of the rankings every year.

However, when assessing conferences, it is absolutely necessary to consider all teams involved. After the Blue Devils and Tar Heels, the next best team is Clemson, and they are currently 20-7 overall. The Tar Heels do have one of the game’s most elite players in Tyler Hansbrough, who is averaging over 23 points and 10 rebounds each game. Duke, on the other hand, probably has more depth, getting significant contributions from Greg Paulus, DeMarcus Nelson, Gerald Henderon, Jon Scheyer, and Kyle Singler.

Personally, I would say that over the long run, the ACC is the most exciting conference, but as far as this year is concerned, it is not the toughest.

In my opinion, the Big 10 contains some of the strongest teams in the NCAA.

Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State, and even Ohio State are all contending teams that are looking forward to the upcoming tournament. Bear in mind that Indiana has an exceptional emerging superstar in Eric Gordon, who currently leads the Big 10 in scoring. Sources do indicate that Gordon plans on entering the NBA draft after this season, which will be a big hit to the Hoosiers.

Unlike Indiana, the other teams in the Big 10 are not centered on one premiere player. For instance, the Wisconsin Badgers combine experience and youth with players such as Brian Butch, Trevon Hughes, Marcus Landry, and Michael Flowers. What’s also interesting is the fact that there are three teams in the Big 10 that have just two conference losses.

From my viewpoint, the Pacific 10 and Big 12 are evenly matched. Texas holds the lead in the Big 12, while UCLA is at the top of the rankings in the Pac 10. For the most part, the top three teams in each conference are the only real contenders, while the rest are sitting at the edge of their seats hoping for a tournament spot. Throughout this whole season, I have found it fascinating that Texas has been successful after losing superstar Kevin Durant. Guards A.J. Abrams and D.J. Augustin have picked up the slack and have provided the much-needed spark that the Longhorns needed.

With the NCAA tournament on the horizon, it will be exciting to see which teams prevail and which teams fail. Given that there have been a handful of surprises already this season; there is no telling who will emerge victorious. We will just have to wait and see who is crowned champion this April.