For basketball junkies, conference tournaments are an ideal opening act for the NCAA Tournament.

The tournaments whip college hoops fans into a frenzy that carries over to the NCAA Tournament, which is aptly nicknamed "March Madness."

Ask anyone who has ever been to an Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, and they'll tell you that the state of North Carolina practically shuts down the weekend of the tournament.

Despite the staggering possibilities (i.e. astronomical television revenues), the Big Ten is one of the few conferences in the country that continues to hold out.

"I definitely am in favor of it and have been," said Lion Coach Bruce Parkhill on the possibility of a Big Ten tournament. "I think it would be great for everybody. And certainly with gender equity issues and cost-containment issues, it would be a great source of revenue."

But for those hoping for a Big Ten tournament in the near future: Don't hold your breath.

"Right now, there is probably some support from coaches and athletic directors," said Big Ten Assistant Commissioner Mark Rudner, "but not from the presidents. (The tournament) has been discussed at various meetings since the middle-part of the 1980s. It doesn't get much discussion anymore."

University presidents reportedly oppose a conference tournament because the players would miss too much school. University President Joab Thomas was unavailable for comment.

Purdue Coach Gene Keady said that a Big Ten tournament could be tied to conference expansion, which has been a hot topic now for some time.

"I think if we get a 12th team there's a possibility (tournament) will be looked at," he said.

At what basketball powerhouse did Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany play for in the late 1960s and early 1970s?

Purdue at Michigan (Sunday at 2 p.m.) -- Purdue is the only team with a glimmer of hope of catching Michigan. Assuming the Boilermakers get by Minnesota (and that's a big "if," just ask Bobby Knight), a win at Ann Arbor could get Purdue a share of the Big Ten title. A Michigan win would wrap up the conference title and most likely get the Wolverines a coveted No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Delany, a three-year letterman at North Carolina, was a tri-captain for the Tar Heels in 1970.