With conference tournaments getting underway, we have a very specific focus here at GK Central: We’re rooting for the teams that can go on to inflict maximum damage as Giant Killers in NCAA brackets later this month. So here’s a rundown of the mid-majors with the best Cinderella candidates, in order of their upset potential.

We have included three conferences that will probably send Giants to the Big Dance, but where Killers could still force their way into the field with conference-tournament runs. We’ll get to deeper underdogs (who could turn into surprisingly strong 15- and 16-seeds) on Friday. And we will cover conferences that could send both Giants and Killers (such as the American Athletic Conference and Atlantic 10) as their tournaments evolve. For the moment, if you like upsets, get to know these teams -- and get behind them as autobids.

Southland Conference

Best Killer: Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (Giant Killer rating: 31.7, on a scale of zero to 100)

Key stats: Forcing turnovers on 24.9 percent of opponent possessions (ranking seventh in the NCAA); offensive rebounds on 37.7 percent of missed shots (ranking 13th); effective field goal percentage of 56 percent (ranking 10th)

Our take: We’ll keep this brief, because we have already made the case for Stephen F. Austin here. The Lumberjacks have played better than last season, and against a tougher schedule, to the point where they would be a legitimate at-large NCAA tournament team. And their basic strength is amped substantially (7.7 points per 100 possessions) by their outstanding Killer characteristics, including improved 3-point shooting. Matchups always matter, but SFA has a chance to be the next VCU.