February is almost over…

Which means it’s time for college basketball to take center stage. Although spring training is gearing up around the state, let’s not forget that across the country college basketball fans everywhere (including in Florida) are preparing and studying the teams they think have the best chances to help them win their March Madness bracket pools and challenges. As a huge fan of college basketball and March Madness, it’s tough not to look forward to the big dance next month. However, it’s important to realize the regular season isn’t over yet and that the teams looking to jump off that bubble and into the bracket pool still have many chances to prove their worth for the NCAA Selection Committee.  

After the regular season and before the NCAA Tournament starts, each division one conference plays their own tournament for multiple purposes. The first is that the winner of each conference tournament (no matter what the teams record is) receives and automatic berth to participate and compete in March Madness.  The other reason is fairly obvious; pride and bragging rights.

Now you might be wondering what does this have to do with central Florida? I will tell you audience! Remember those conference tournaments mentioned above? Well, one of those conferences happens to be the American Athletic Conference and the AAC will be playing its conference tournament at the Amway Center in Orlando. You really think I’d leave you hanging like that?

This tournament is especially important around the area as the main host of the event is the University of Central Florida. Currently, the Knights would not make the tournament as they have a sub-500 record. But if college basketball has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected around this time of year and over the course of the next month. Other teams that will be playing at the home of the Orlando Magic are perennial fixtures, UConn, Cincinnati, and Memphis along with current conference record leader, Temple and more. Preseason favorite SMU will not be playing in the tournament, as they are ineligible for any postseason play this year.

Nevertheless, this year’s AAC tourney is sure to excite and entertain. The dates for the games will be held from March 10 – 13 and tickets are still available!