Christmas break isn’t quite the halfway point in the men’s college basketball season, but it does function as the All-Star break does in pro sports: a midseason reset for teams before the stretch run. Several conferences have played one or two conference games in December, but post-Christmas teams shift into league play for good. These games will shape NCAA tournament bubble and seeding discussions all the way through Selection Sunday.
All that makes this period the perfect time to reset Sports Illustrated’s preseason conference championship picks. Which preseason favorites are still holding strong, and which ones look vulnerable? Here’s a rundown of where things stand in the six high-major leagues.
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