March is right around the corner. Anyone with a calendar could tell you that.

But March is more than just the third month of the year to a dedicated college basketball fan. It's the month Cinderella stories are written, buzzers are beaten, and champions are crowned. Of course, the astute hoops fan should be quick to point -- it's February that decides which teams get to have all the fun in March.

You see, it's over the next week that the automatic NCAA bids (42 for the men, 43 for the women) are earned across dozens of conference tournaments. The two NCAA brackets will be released on Feb. 25, Division III's "Selection Monday."

But in between there is so much to keep track of. So much, in fact, that for the second year in a row, I've compiled it all for you in the space of a single column. This drew positive reaction last season, so I again present you, the loyal readers of the Around the Northeast/East column, with the conference tournament primer.

Below you'll find the key information and seedings, along with dates and times of the title games. I've also included predictions for each conference (feel free to critique as you see fit).

I'll also direct you to the D3hoops.com FAQ section on the NCAA Tournament. If you have any question on any facet of the tournament, the selection process, etc., you'll find an answer there.

Men's conference tournament primer

AMCC
Top seed: Hilbert
The field (Nos. 2-6): La Roche, Penn State-Behrend, Medaille, Mount Aloysius, Pitt-Bradford
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 Hilbert over No. 2 La Roche

Analysis: This should be an interesting race to watch play out. Hilbert, the top seed, defeated La Roche twice this season, but only by a combined six points. A third meeting between the two teams in the title game would be a toss-up.

CCC
Top seed: Curry
The field (Nos. 2-8): Gordon, Wentworth, Eastern Nazarene, Salve Regina, Nichols, Roger Williams, Western New England
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 Curry over No. 2 Gordon

Analysis: Curry enters the conference tournament having won eight of its last nine games. The Colonels also have two head-to-head wins over No. 2 Gordon under their belt. Keep an eye on Eastern Nazarene, an upstart team in a new position. The Lions could surprise.

E8
Top seed: Stevens
The field (Nos. 2-4): Ithaca, St. John Fisher, Utica
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m.
The pick: No. 3 St. John Fisher over No. 1 Stevens

Analysis: The Empire 8 conference tournament is always a tough one to pick. Stevens enters as the favorite, and for good reason. But St. John Fisher is the hottest team in the field, having won its last eight games. Look for the Cardinals to push the Ducks for the tournament crown and accompanying NCAA berth.

GNAC
Top seed: Anna Maria
The field (Nos. 2-8): Albertus Magnus, Johnson & Wales, Emerson, Saint Joseph's, Suffolk, Rivier, Emmanuel
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, TBA
The pick: No. 2 Albertus Magnus over No. 1 Anna Maria

Analysis: Anna Maria has been a surprise this season. The AMCATS defeated Albertus Magnus in the only regular-season meeting, but I still like the experience the Falcons bring. In a do-or-die type game, Albertus Magnus gets the edge.

LEC
Top seed: Rhode Island College
The field (Nos. 2-8): Eastern Connecticut, Keene State, Southern Maine, Mass-Boston, Plymouth State, Western Connecticut, Mass-Dartmouth
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 5 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 Rhode Island College over No. 2 Eastern Connecticut

Analysis: There was a pretty noticeable gap between Rhode Island College, Eastern Connecticut and the rest of the LEC this season. It would be a bit of a surprise if the Anchormen and Warriors didn't meet in the title game. If they do, I'll take Rhode Island College in another close matchup.

LL
Top seed: Hobart
The field (Nos. 2-4): Union, RPI, Skidmore
Title game: TBA, at Hobart
The pick: No. 1 Hobart over No. 3 RPI

Analysis: Hobart has dominated in conference play this season, finishing a near-perfect 15-1 against Liberty League opponents. The Statesmen also entered the tournament on an 11-game winning streak. I like Hobart to emerge on top, no matter who it ends up playing.

MASCAC
Top seed: Westfield State
The field (Nos. 2-6): Massachusetts College, Salem State, Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State, Worcester State
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, TBA
The pick: No. 1 Westfield State over No. 2 Massachusetts College

Analysis: Westfield State has already won 21 games, but one of its four losses came at the hands of Massachusetts College. That would be an intriguing matchup if those two teams meet again. Ultimately, one of those two teams should emerge on top.

NAC
Top seed: Maine-Farmington
The field (Nos. 2-8): Husson, Colby-Sawyer, Castleton State, Lyndon State, Thomas, Johnson State, New England College
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, TBA
The pick: No. 1 Maine-Farmington over No. 2 Husson

Analysis: There is upset potential in this bracket, but it feels like we're headed for a third meeting between Maine-Farmington and Husson. The Beavers won the first two meetings, each by at least seven points. I'd expect another similar outcome in the title game.

NEAC

Top seed: Morrisville State
The field (Nos. 2-5): Penn State-Berks, Penn State-Abington, Penn State-Harrisburg, Wells
Title game: Sunday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 Morrisville State over No. 3 Penn State-Abington

Analysis: Morrisville State enters the NEAC tournament having won 16 of its last 17 games. That momentum alone could carry the Mustangs through to the title. Penn State-Harrisburg, Morrisville State's lone loss over that frame, could present a challenge, though.

NECC
Top seed: Elms
The field (Nos. 2-6): Newbury, Regis, Mitchell, Becker, Daniel Webster
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 Elms over No. 3 Regis

Analysis: Elms enters the tournament coming off a convincing win against Newbury. That certainly bodes well, considering the two teams could end up meeting with a playoff berth on the line. Regis has shown it can compete with any team in the league.

NESCAC
Top seed: Amherst
The field (Nos. 2-8): Williams, Middlebury, Tufts, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Bates, Colby
Title game: Sunday, Feb. 24, noon
The pick: No. 1 Amherst over No. 3 Middlebury

Analysis: I like Middlebury to exact some revenge for its loss to Williams a few weeks ago. That would likely set up an Amherst-Middlebury final, which would just be a treat for Division III fans. Amherst won a triple-overtime thriller just over a week ago. 

NEWMAC
Top seed: WPI
The field (Nos. 2-5): MIT, Springfield, Clark, Babson
Title game: Sunday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 WPI over No. 2 MIT

Analysis: This is a tough bracket to forecast. Ultimately, I like WPI to emerge, but MIT has shown it can beat the Engineers. I also don't want to write off Springfield, which has shown a knack for knocking off strong opponents this season. This should be an entertaining field, at the very least.

SUNYAC
Top seed: Cortland State
The field (Nos. 2-6): Plattsburgh State, Geneseo State, Oswego State, Brockport State, New Paltz State
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 Cortland State over No. 2 Plattsburgh State

Analysis: It's been a superb season for Cortland State, and I think it will continue with a SUNYAC conference tournament title. Plattsburgh State and Geneseo State, in particular, present strong challenges. But the Red Dragons have stood as the top team in the conference for most of the season.

Women's conference tournament primer

AMCC
Top seed: La Roche
The field (Nos. 2-6): Medaille, Penn State-Behrend, Pitt-Bradford, Mount Aloysius, Pitt-Greensburg
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 La Roche over No. 3 Penn State-Behrend

Analysis: La Roche finished the regular season with a 17-1 conference record, which makes it easy to see why the Redhawks are favored. Penn State-Behrend did hand La Roche its one conference loss, so that's worth keeping in mind should the two teams meet in the final.

CCC
Top seed: University of New England
The field (Nos. 2-8): Roger Williams, Salve Regina, Western New England, Endicott, Eastern Nazarene, Curry, Wentworth
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 University of New England over No. 2 Roger Williams

Analysis: The young Nor'easters haven't lost a CCC game all season, and I don't expect them to in the conference tournament. Roger Williams can certainly hang with UNE, but ultimately I like the Nor'easters and their 17-game winning streak to finish on top.

E8
Top seed: Ithaca
The field (Nos. 2-4): Hartwick, Stevens, St. John Fisher
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 Ithaca over No. 2 Hartwick

Analysis: Ithaca's only Empire 8 loss of the season came at the hands of St. John Fisher. But it's still probably Hartwick that poses the biggest threat to the top-seeded Bombers. Still, Ithaca has won 10 straight and stands as the clear favorite in this year's field.

GNAC
Top seed: Emmanuel
The field (Nos. 2-8): Suffolk, Saint Joseph's, Rivier, Albertus Magnus, Johnson & Wales, Emerson, Saint Joseph
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, TBA
The pick: No. 1 Emmanuel over No. 2 Suffolk

Analysis: Emmanuel is in the midst of a third straight undefeated season in GNAC play. I wouldn't expect that to change in this year's conference tournament. The Saints should once again take the tournament crown and head into the NCAA tournament on a roll.

LEC
Top seed: Southern Maine
The field (Nos. 2-8): Western Connecticut, Mass-Dartmouth, Eastern Connecticut, Rhode Island College, Mass-Boston, Keene State, Plymouth State
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 Southern Maine over No. 2 Western Connecticut

Analysis: Southern Maine has been one of the most consistent teams in the country this season. Its one conference loss came to Western Connecticut, a team it could meet in the tournament final. But when push comes to shove, I see Southern Maine emerging victorious.

LL
Top seed: Vassar
The field (Nos. 2-4): St. Lawrence, Skidmore, William Smith
Title game: TBA
The pick: No. 2 St. Lawrence over No. 4 William Smith

Analysis: It’s been a long time since the top seed has won this tournament, and that trend continues this year as Vassar was knocked off in the semifinals on Wednesday night. St. Lawrence lost at William Smith just last week, but won by 13 at home in January.

MASCAC
Top seed: Bridgewater State
The field (Nos. 2-6): Worcester State, Westfield State, Framingham State, Fitchburg State, Salem State
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, TBA
The pick: No. 1 Bridgewater State over No. 3 Westfield State

Analysis: Bridgewater State seems to be the heavy favorite here, but don't write off Worcester State or Westfield State. Worcester State handed Bridgewater its only MASCAC defeat of the season. And Westfield State played the Bears close in their last meeting.

NAC
Top seed: Castleton State
The field (Nos. 2-8): Colby-Sawyer, New England College, Maine Maritime, Maine-Farmington, Husson, Lyndon State, Thomas
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, TBA
The pick: No. 2 Colby-Sawyer over No. 1 Castleton State

Analysis: Castleton State and Colby-Sawyer, the top two seeds, each routed the other in the regular season. So what would happen in a potential third matchup? It's hard to forecast, but Colby-Sawyer is capable of pulling it out. Expect a good matchup in the final.

NEAC
Top seed: Lancaster Bible
The field (Nos. 2-6): Keuka, SUNYIT, Penn State-Harrisburg, Wells, St. Elizabeth
Title game: Sunday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m.
The pick: No. 2 Keuka over No. 1 Lancaster Bible

Analysis: Lancaster Bible beat Keuka by eight points in the teams' only meeting this season. But the Storm have been hot lately, winning 12 of their last 13 games. Look for Keuka to at least reach the title game.

NECC
Top seed: Regis
The field (Nos. 2-7): Elms, Newbury, Daniel Webster, Bay Path, Becker, Mitchell
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 Regis over No. 3 Newbury

Analysis: Regis enters the conference tournament with a perfect 18-0 NECC record. It's reasonable to expect the winning to continue. Elms and Newbury, should they meet, would be a good matchup between the second and third seeds.

NESCAC
Top seed: Tufts
The field (Nos. 2-8): Amherst, Williams, Middlebury, Bates, Wesleyan, Trinity, Bowdoin
Title game: Sunday, Feb. 24, 2:30 p.m.
The pick: No. 2 Amherst over No. 3 Williams

Analysis: As always, the NESCAC tournament promises some tremendous matchups. Tufts had a great season, but with the Jumbos knocked out in the quarterfinals, expect Amherst and Williams to meet in the title game. Should that happen, I'd give the edge to Amherst.

NEWMAC
Top seed: Babson
The field (Nos. 2-6): Smith, Wellesley, WPI, Coast Guard, Clark
Title game: Sunday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m.
The pick: No. 1 Babson over No. 2 Smith

Analysis: Babson hasn't lost within the NEWMAC since 2009. The Beavers should once again win the conference tournament. Smith has shown that it's capable of hanging with Babson, but predicting an upset would be far too bold.

SUNYAC
Top seed: New Paltz State
The field (Nos. 2-6): Geneseo State, Oswego State, Oneonta State, Plattsburgh State, Cortland State
Title game: Saturday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m.
The pick: No. 2 Geneseo State over No. 4 Oneonta State

Analysis: New Paltz State enters the tournament as the top seed, but appears vulnerable to an upset. Oneonta State just beat New Paltz State last week. Geneseo State, meanwhile, has won five of its last six and could secure the tournament title. 

Top 25: Amherst reigns supreme among Northeast/East

The Amherst men and women once again led all Northeast and East teams in this week's D3hoops.com Men's and Women's Top 25 polls. The men held steady at No. 2, while the women remained at No. 6.

Middlebury (No. 4), WPI (No. 6) and Williams (No. 7) each cracked the top 10 in the men's poll. Rochester fell from No. 6 to No. 13, while Rhode Island College rose four spots to No. 16. MIT (No. 19) and Cortland State (No. 25) were also ranked, while Stevens, Albertus Magnus, Springfield, Westfield State and Hobart all received votes.

Southern Maine (No. 9), Tufts (No. 11), Williams (No. 15) and Babson (No. 17) were all ranked in the women's poll. Rochester, Ithaca, Bridgewater State, Smith, New Paltz State and Castleton State all received votes.

Note: The latest NCAA regional rankings were released Wednesday and can be found here.

Quick hits

John DiBartolomeo exploded for 38 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals in Rochester's 81-77 win against Carnegie Mellon on Friday. ... Alex Stoyle finished with 28 points as Brandeis upended Chicago 75-56 on Friday. Brandeis had lost four of its previous six games before the win. ... Mike Kaufman scored 17 points off the bench to lead Lesley to a 76-64 win over Southern Vermont on Saturday. The Lynx closed out their season with wins in three of their final four games. ... Joshua Ford poured in 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists in Mitchell's 100-81 win against Wheelock on Saturday. ... Thomas Tsatsis tallied 25 points in Alfred's 72-64 win over Hartwick on Saturday. The Saxons snapped a four-game losing skid to close the season with a win. ... Jackie Walker finished with 20 points and Loren Wagner added 14 points off the bench as the Rochester women beat Case Western Reserve 72-68 on Sunday. ... Riley Wurtz piled up 23 points, 17 rebounds, seven assists and four steals in NYU's 67-53 victory over Chicago on Sunday. The Violets have won two straight after an eight-game slide.

Contact me

Whether you have an interesting story idea, know of a player or coach approaching a career milestone, or just want to talk basketball, I want to hear it. Please reach out to me at andrew.lovell@d3sports.com. You can also follow me on Twitter (@andrew_lovell).