51.   It has also made the conference tournaments meaningless for all but the bubble teams.

52.   Last season, CSUN finished tied for fourth in the Big Sky regular-season standings, then rolled through the conference tournament.

53.   Last week, the Trojans electrified Los Angeles and nearly won the conference tournament before losing to Arizona.

54.   LIU cast its doubts aside in the conference tournament.

55.   Martin has players pointing toward the end of the season, especially the conference tournament, to give them time to adjust to his controlled tempo.

56.   Moreover, the Rams say the momentum they gained in their conference tournament victories should carry over into the tournament.

57.   Most conference tournaments are just that, a series of games.

58.   NAU also won the conference tournament, thus earning its first NCAA Tournament appearance.

59.   NAU is fourth and needs a few more wins to ensure a spot in the six-team field for the conference tournament.

60.   Murphy said he felt optimistic after there were only a couple of significant upsets in conference tournaments around the country.