Several NCAA conference title game matchups are set for early this week. We rate the top five.
5. Gonzaga vs. St. Mary’s (West Coast) » There’s little intrigue here as both have done enough to get into the NCAA tournament. St. Mary’s (26-5) beat Gonzaga (25-5) at home by 21, then lost in Spokane by 14. This one will be in Las Vegas. (Monday, 9 p.m., ESPN)
Recommended Stories
4. Detroit at Valparaiso (Horizon) » Destined for one-bid, the Horizon League is a victim of parity. Valparaiso (22-10) has emerged after beating perennial conference power Butler three times. Detroit (21-13) has lost twice to Valparaiso by a combined seven points. (Tuesday, 9 p.m., ESPN)
3. Loyola vs. Fairfield (MAAC) » Fairfield (19-13) did a huge favor for Loyola (23-8) on Sunday, upsetting favored Iona in the semifinals. Now the Greyhounds will try to win their first MAAC title in eight seasons under Jimmy Patsos. The teams meet in Springfield, Mass. (Monday, 7 p.m., ESPN2)
2. Lehigh at Bucknell (Patriot) » Dynamic Lehigh guard C.J. McCallum, a two-time Patriot League player of the year, battles Bucknell’s 6-foot-11 Mike Muscala, last year’s conference POY. Bucknell (24-8) is the defending champ. Lehigh (25-7) won the previous year. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
1. VCU vs. Drexel (CAA) » VCU (27-6) probably has clinched an NCAA at-large bid. Just to make sure, the Rams would like to end the 19-game winning streak of Drexel (27-5), which beat visiting VCU 64-58 on Jan. 8. This time they play two miles from the Rams’ campus at Richmond Coliseum. (Monday, 7 p.m., ESPN)
– Kevin Dunleavy
