Championship Week Begins!

Today features some big games like UAB-Memphis, Louisville-Georgetown and of course, Duke-North Carolina. But let`s look at the games that may be even more important to the particular teams playing the games. These are games where these Mid-Major teams can punch their tickets to the NCAA Tournament, also known as "The Big Dance."

ATLANTIC SUN CHAMPIONSHIP: Belmont vs. Jacksonville

The Belmont Bruins are no stranger to the A-Sun Championship game and will look to repeat thieir championship of last year. Belmont is led by junior forward Shane Dansby, who averages 14 points and 6 rebounds per game. The Bruins are currently on a 12-game winning streak and finished the season 24-8 overall, including a solid 14-2 in A-Sun play.

On the other hand, the Jacksonville Dolphins are new to this game. The trio of guard Ben Smith, forward Lehmon Colbert and center Marcus Allen lead this time, all with scoring averages in double figures. Jacksonville finished the year 18-12 overall and 12-4 in conference play.

Belmont and Jacksonville played each other once during the regular season and the Bruins were victorious on their home floor, 85-78. In that game, Dansby had 28 points for the Bruins while Colbert and Allen each had 24 for the Dolphins.

BIG SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: UNC Asheville vs. Winthrop

This one is going to be a very interesting game. On one side you have the Winthrop Eagles, who have dominated this conference this entire decade and have been almost a shoe-in every season to win this conference`s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. On the other side you have the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, who are the #1 seed in the Big South tourney this year and have a 7`7", 360-pound center in Kenny George.

The Bulldogs are a well-rounded team as they have 4 other players averaging in double-figures in points in addition to George. Senior guard Michael Jenkins leads the Eagles with an average of 14 points per game. But Winthrop relies on their defense to win games, giving up only 59 points per game this year.

So will it be the Bulldogs offense or the Eagles defense that prevails in this Big South Championship game?

OHIO VALLEY CHAMPIONSHIP: Austin Peay vs. Tennessee State

This OVC tournament has been crazy this week and it is mainly because of the Tennessee State Tigers. The Tigers came into this tournament as the #6 seed, finishing the regular season 14-15 overall and 10-10 in OVC play. But in the OVC tourney, they have knocked off the #3 seed Morehead State and then the #2 seed Murray State in the past two days. Junior guard Bruce Price has really played well all season for Tennesse State and has scored 22 and 20 points, respectively, in the two OVC tournament games.

So now that the Tigers have defeated the #3 and #2 seeds in the OVC, can they take down #1? That`s a tall order as the #1 seeded Austin Peay Governors finished the regular season with a 23-10 overall mark, including a record of 16-4 in OVC play. Austin Peay had a tough take with #4 seed Tennessee-Martin in the semi-finals, winning by a score of 78-77. Another well-balanced squad, the Governors have 5 players scoring in double figures led by junior forward Drake Reed with 15 points and 6 boards per game.

This is just the beginning! Be sure to watch all the championship games this week on ESPN and ESPN2!