While the SEC is fighting it out in Hoover, every other Power Conference is running their own tournament at the exact same time. And in some cases, those tournaments matter just as much for the national seeding conversation.

The Big Ten: The Race Behind UCLA

UCLA has the Big Ten locked. They're a generational team and there's nothing left to prove. Behind them, Oregon, USC, and Nebraska are all fighting for the other hosting bids and the seeding clarity that comes with a tournament run. A deep run by any of those three could move them into the national seed conversation. A flameout drops them to traveling seeds. The Big Ten's tournament matters for everyone except UCLA.

The ACC: the Charlotte Circle

North Carolina and Georgia Tech are two of the best teams in the country. Both are playing in Charlotte May 19-24 at the same time the SEC is in Hoover. Both of them have national seeding on the line. Florida State is lurking. Wake Forest is the kind of surprise tournament run candidate that the committee loves.

If UNC wins the ACC tournament, they have a legitimate argument for a top-four seed. If Florida State wins it, they're a narrative candidate for hosting despite a lower national ranking. The ACC tournament is as wide open as it's been in years—and the winner's seeding gets a meaningful bump.

The Big 12: Kansas' Coronation (Or Chaos)

Kansas has spent the entire season as the Big 12's clearest contender, but West Virginia proved in the final regular season weekend that the race isn't over. Oklahoma State is capable. Arizona State has Landon Hairston and his absurd offensive line.

Kansas getting out of the Big 12 tournament clean would cement their top-eight hosting bid and probably put them on the national seed conversation. A Kansas team that drops a surprise game to West Virginia or Oklahoma State suddenly is hosting a regional instead of a Super Regional. The Jayhawks are the favorites, but the Big 12 has proven it's not a two-team race.

The Selection Ripple

Here's what makes this week weird: the committee isn't just watching Hoover. They're watching all of it. A Georgia loss in Hoover combined with a UNC run in Charlotte might flip which team gets a higher seed. A Kansas stumble combined with an Arkansas Hoover run might change who's hosting and where.

Selection Monday is May 25. The bracket isn't decided until the last game is played on May 24 in all of these tournaments. Every result between now and then is part of the calculation.