Well, happy new year!
It's a pleasant time for folks to start anew, but it's also not a pleasant time for every Power 5 conference set to start league play this week.
Although the NCAA tournament selection committee does not consider conference affiliation, the strength of teams in any league impacts the number of signature victories available in conference action. That means it's good to play in a league full of good teams.
If you're in the Big 12, Big Ten or ACC, you'll be glad to know that it will probably be raining at-large berths on Selection Sunday.