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NCAA Basketball: Top 5 Conferences For 2014-15

By Arthur Blackwell

Mar 15, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski questions a foul called on his player to the officials against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the semifinals of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski questions a foul called on his player to the officials against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the semifinals of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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In recent years there has been ever-changing relocation of teams going to new conferences in the NCAA, in both domains of the world in football and basketball. Oddly, some teams aren’t in the same conference they’re in for basketball as they are in football. Likewise, some are independent in one sport and in a conference in another.

Certain conferences as of late have even been created to build a separation from former ones. Aside from conferences movements of teams, these same teams within a conference makes them representative and respected. Importantly, what generates a certain outlook (whether positive or negative) of conferences are: recruiting classes, transferees, and returning players. These factors listed are the real foundation that determines what teams and conferences are the best. This causes separation from other teams within the conference but as a whole, decides which conference is actually tough to compete in.

As we head into the 2014-15 season, here are the five best conferences in the nation:

5. American Athletic Conference

Right off the bat, the glaring mark is on Larry Brown’s SMU Mustangs. Emmanuel Mudiay (Dallas native, considered as the No. 1-ranked player in the nation) had committed to a already talented roster which puts SMU into the top 25 with ease.

However, that all changed once Mudiay de-commited to play professionally in China. Still, even without the star recruit, SMU will have a consistent but experienced (don’t forget hungrier) team. They virtually bring back everyone to a team that everyone thought was snubbed from the NCAA tournament and almost won the NIT last year.

Also, the AAC has the defending national champion Connecticut Huskies, along with two familiar tournament teams, the Memphis Tigers and Cincinnati Bearcats. With these four teams expected to be tournament teams, it gives the American Athletic Conference much validity.

4. Pac-12 Conference

The Pac-12 will have a national contending representative all season with the Arizona Wildcats. Despite losing two talented players to the NBA, Arizona looks to remain as a strong contender.

Head coach Sean Miller brings in arguably the best recruiting class and returns Brandon Ashley (coming from injury) ,who will be the team’s best player. Oregon and Stanford will be in-the-hunt top-25 teams for most of the season.

Both are returning most of their players that are more developed and now experienced. Oregon is bringing back a potential All-American in Joseph Young and Stanford will have one of the better rugged frontcourts in the nation.

Colorado lost its best player in Spencer Dinwiddie to the NBA draft, but he only played the first 17 games before being lost for the season due to injury. The next three best players return, all who were double digit scorers, gives Colorado a potential tourney team.

UCLA did lose plenty with Kyle Anderson and Zach LaVine (both first-rounders of the NBA draft), and the Wear twins (undrafted), but head coach Steve Alford’s has his son. Bryce Alford will just be a sophomore and is prepared for taking over the point guard duties.

Tony Parker is now in his final year and a solid recruiting class will have the Bruins as another potential tourney team. USC is also bringing in a very solid recruiting class with Jordan McLaughlin as its headliner. Plus, under head coach Andy Enfield, the Trojans will be much better than in years past.

3. Big Ten Conference

This will actually be a down year for the usual elite conference of college basketball but still has enough fire power to compete with the best. The lone national contender from the Big Ten will be Wisconsin, which basically will bring everyone back.

The conference suffered several departures to the NBA (draft and summer leagues) and graduating seniors. However, with the way the Big Ten recruits and by them having one of the better staple of coaches in college basketball, this conference should be in good shape come March Madness.

The Big Ten should send at least five teams to the big dance: Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Iowa. They all are as good or as worse than last season, but should still be quality teams that are expected to make the tournament.

Maryland’s arrival to the Big Ten from the ACC helps as well, despite not making the tourney the last two seasons. With Maryland bringing everyone back it will be right in the mix this time around.

2. Big-12

It is never surprising to see the Big 12 among the best conferences in the nation. Kansas seemingly always has a title contending team, and seems as if they win the Big 12 every year with ease.

However, the Jayhawks might have some competition this year. Texas is returning every player to a team that played Michigan tough in the second round of last season’s NCAA tournament. The Longhorns are also bringing in one of the best recruits as a consensus five-star in Myles Turner, who could have a immediate impact due to his size and skill.

Oklahoma loses Cam Clark but otherwise returns everyone from a tournament team a season ago. Kansas State will return its two best players as Iowa State also returns two double digit scorers to a tournament team from a season ago.

Also, look for West Virginia. They have been down lately, but get two players back who weren’t eligible last year along with the returning players besides Eron Harris (transferred to Michigan State).

1. Atlantic Coast Conference

As mentioned with conferences having potentially a small quantity of teams in the big dance with maybe a national title contender out of the respective conference, the ACC has to be an exception. For they have a handful of national title contending teams and a very long list of tournament hopefuls.

Easily the best conference in America with the likes of Duke, North Carolina, and last year’s ACC champion, Virginia, the ACC now adds Louisville to the mix with the conference juggernauts as they are coming over from the American Athletic Conference.

Syracuse and Pittsburgh will always be in the same mix despite losing players to the NBA, but with how their coaches can recruit, expect them to be competitive year in and year out.