Let’s Start The Partying
It may feel like it’s mid-January in most of the nation, but the calendar doesn’t lie. It’s time to start the sports reality show called “Big Dancing With The Stars; Trying Not To Be The Biggest Loser.” Yes, the conference tournaments begin to tip-off tonight.
15 conferences begin tournament play in the next four days. Let’s take a look at the brackets.
America East Conference
Site: Hartford, CT until the Championship Game. Championship Game on the home court of the higher seed.
Late Note:#5 seed Binghamton has withdrawn from the conference tournament, making this an 8-team tournament that will now begin Saturday.
Saturday, March 6
G1-#1 Stony Brook (21-8) vs. #9 Albany (7-24)
G2-#4 Boston U (17-12) vs. #6 Hartford (8-21)
G3-#2 Vermont (22-9) vs. #8 Maryland-Balt. Co. (4-25)
G4-#3 Maine (19-10) vs. #7 New Hampshire (12-16)
Sunday, March 7
G5-Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner
G6-Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner
Saturday, March 13
Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner at higher seed’s home court
Boston U is the hot team as tournament play begins. The Terriers have an easy first round game thanks to Binghamton pulling out. Look for a very interesting semifinal match between BU and Stony Brook.
Look for New Hampshire to give Maine a great game and have a great shot at the upset. Beating Vermont in the next round won’t happen. The Catamounts have a clear path to the title game, and if Boston can upset Stony Brook, Vermont would host the title game.
Atlantic Sun Conference
Site: Macon, GA
Wednesday, March 3
G1-#1 Lipscomb (17-12) vs. #8 Kennesaw St. (12-19)
G2-#2 Jacksonville (18-11) vs. #7 North Florida (13-17)
Thursday, March 4
G3-#3 Belmont (19-11) vs. #6 Mercer (14-16)
G4-#4 Campbell (19-10) vs. #5 East Tennessee (17-14)
Friday, March 5
Game 1 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner
Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner
Saturday, March 6
Semifinal Winners
Lipscomb won its last four games to earn a four-way tie for first. The Bisons got the top-seed based on head to head results against the other three teams. Their path to the championship game is not an easy one. In the opening round, they face a Kennesaw team that gave them fits in both games, earning a split.
Campbell has the most complete game of any team in this tournament, and they could be the team to beat from their number four seeding. They also split with Lipscomb, and a possible semifinal match with the Bisons could be the game of the tournament.
Belmont and Jacksonville should handle their first round opponents, and in a semifinal match, the Dolphins have the upper hand when matching up. A Jacksonville-Campbell final game would be interesting. Both teams defended their home court in the regular season, winning by double digits.
Big Sky Conference
Site: All games played at higher seed
Saturday, March 6
#6 Portland State (12-17) at #3 Montana State (15-13)
#5 Northern Arizona (14-13) at #4 Montana (19-9)
Tuesday, March 9
Lower Remaining Seed at #1 Weber State (19-9)
Higher Remaining Seed at #2 Northern Colorado (24-6)
Wednesday, March 10
Lower Remaining Seed at Higher Remaining Seed
Big South Conference
Site: Quarterfinals at higher seed/Semifinals at Coastal Carolina/Finals at higher seed
Tuesday, March 2
G1-#8 VMI (10-18) at #1 Coastal Carolina (26-5)
G2-#7 Charleston Southern (13-16) at #2 Radford (18-11)
G3-#6 Liberty (15-15) at #3 Winthrop (16-13)
G4-#5 High Point (15-14) at #4 UNC-Asheville (14-15)
Thursday, March 4 (at Coastal Carolina)
Game 1 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner
Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner
Friday, March 5
Lower Remaining Seed at Higher Remaining Seed
The top two teams are clearly the two best in this league, as they dispenses of all the competition coming down the stretch. Radford has a dominating inside player capable of causing matchup problems for a good team in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Keep an eye on Art Parakhouski, a 6-11 hulk from Belarus. He makes Radford the favorite to meet Coastal Carolina for a great rubber match worth watching.
Colonial Athletic Association
Site: Richmond, VA
Friday, March 5
G1-#8 Towson (9-20) vs. #9 UNC-Wilmington (9-21)
G2-#5 Va. Commonwealth (20-8) vs. #12 Delaware (7-23)
G3-#7 Hofstra (18-13) vs. #10 Georgia State (12-19)
G4-#6 Drexel (16-15) vs. #11 James Madison (12-19)
Saturday, March 6
G5-#1 Old Dominion (23-8) vs. Game 1 Winner
G6-#4 George Mason (17-13) vs. Game 2 Winner
G7-#2 Northeastern (19-11) vs. Game 3 Winner
G8-#3 William & Mary (20-9) vs. Game 4 Winner
Sunday, March 7
Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner
Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner
Monday, March 8
Semifinal Winners
There’s decent parity in this league, and any of the top seven seeds could emerge the victor. Hofstra is the hottest team in the league, having finished the regular season with six consecutive wins and nine out of ten, including a double digit win at Northeastern.
Old Dominion has a road win against Georgetown this year, and the Monarchs would be a bubble team if they lost in the semifinals or finals.
Horizon League
Site: 1st Round at Higher Seed/All Others at Indianapolis
Tuesday, March 2
G1-#10 Youngstown (8-21) at #3 Green Bay (20-11)
G2-#9 Illinois-Chicago (8-21) at #4 Milwaukee (18-13)
G3-#8 Loyola (Chi) (14-15) at #5 Cleveland St. (15-16)
G4-#7 Detroit (18-13) at #6 Valparaiso (15-16)
Friday, March 5
G5-Game 1 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner
G6-Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner
Saturday, March 6
Butler (26-4) vs. Game 6 Winner
Wright St. (19-11) vs. Game 5 Winner
Tuesday, March 9
Semifinal Winners
It’s all about Butler in this tournament. The Bulldogs are going dancing win or lose, but they could move up to a number three seed by winning on March 9. Detroit is the only team that gave Butler any trouble this year, so it could become interesting if the Titans beat Valpo, Green Bay, and Wright State to make it to the finals.
M A A C
Site: Albany, NY
Friday, March 5
G1-#7 Canisius (14-16) vs. #10 Marist (1-28)
G2-#8 Loyola (Md) (13-16) vs. #9 Manhattan (10-19)
Saturday, March 6
G3-#1 Siena (24-6) vs. Game 2 Winner
G4-#2 Fairfield (20-9) vs. Game 1 Winner
G5-#3 Iona (21-9) vs. #6 Niagara (17-14)
G6-#4 St. Peter’s (16-13) vs. #5 Rider (16-15)
Sunday, March 7
Game 3 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner
Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner
Monday, March 8
Semifinal Winners
Siena’s resume does not allow them a Mulligan in this tournament. The Saints have no signature wins, and they got their hat handed to them in the Bracketbuster game against Butler. Siena has to win this tournament or it’s the NIT for them this year.
Fairfield gave Siena two close ballgames this year, and it could be hard for the Saints to beat the Stags three times.
Iona is flying under the radar. The Gaels won nine in a row in midseason, and they have the talent to make it to Monday night’s game.
Missouri Valley Conference
Site: St. Louis (Arch Madness)
Thursday, March 4
G1-#7 Missouri State (19-11) vs. #10 Evansville (9-20)
G2-#8 Drake (13-18) vs. #9 Southern Illinois (15-14)
Friday, March 5
G3-#1 Northern Iowa (25-4) vs. Game 2 Winner
G4-#2 Wichita State (23-8) vs. Game 1 Winner
G5-#3 Illinois State (21-9) vs. #6 Indiana St. (17-13)
G6-#4 Creighton (16-14) vs. #5 Bradley (15-14)
Saturday, March 6
Game 3 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner
Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner
Sunday, March 7
Semifinal Winners
Northern Iowa won the regular season title by three games, but don’t consider the Panthers an overwhelming favorite. A good case could be made for any of the top five teams, and nobody wants to play Ninth-seeded Southern Illinois.
This will be a great tournament, and you should make it a point to watch these games if you have access.
UNI is a pretty safe bet to garner an at-large bid if they don’t win the automatic bid. Wichita State was once in the discussion for an at-large bid after a 16-2 start, but the shockers finished 7-6.
Northeast Conference
Site: All Games Played at Higher Seed
Thursday, March 4
G1-#8 Monmouth (12-18) at #1 Quinnipiac (21-8)
G2-#7 Cent. Connecticut (12-17) at #2 Robert Morris (20-11)
G3-#6 St. Francis (Pa) (11-18) at #3 Mt. St. Mary’s (15-14)
G4-#5 Fairleigh Dickinson (11-20) at #4 Long Island (13-16)
Sunday, March 7
Game 1 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner at higher seed
Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner at higher seed
Wednesday, March 10
Semifinal Winners at higher seed
Rarely is the number three seed considered the favorite, but in the NEC, Mt. St. Mary’s must be considered just that. The Mountaineers won their final 10 games, which included victories over the two top seeds. MSM has been in the tournament title game the last two years, winning in 2008. Point Guard Jeremy Goode cut down on his turnovers down the stretch and played more like he was capable of playing. Look for the 5-9 hotshot to play his best and guide the Mountaineers back to the Championship Game, where they are liable to face Quinnipiac.
Bobcat star James Feldeine was held to just four points in the last meeting with MSM; he will be ready for blood in a title match.
Ohio Valley Conference
Site: 1st Round at higher seed/All Others at Nashville
Tuesday, March 2
G1-#8 Tennessee State (9-22) at #1 Murray State (27-4)
G2-#7 Jacksonville St. (11-18) at #2 Morehead St. (21-9)
G3-#6 Tennessee Tech (14-16) at #3 Austin Peay (17-14)
G4-#5 East. Kentucky (20-11) at #4 East. Illinois (18-11)
Friday, March 5
Game 1 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner
Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner
Saturday, March 6
Semifinal Winners
Murray State won 27 games during the regular season, but even if the Racers lose in the title game, they will fall to the NIT.
Morehead State is the defending OVC Champion, and the Eagles have the league’s top player in Kenneth Faried (16.8 ppg/13.0 rpg). Morehead won 17 of 20 down the stretch including a win over Murray St.
Austin Peay is always a force to be reckoned with in this tournament. The Governors have been a regular in the championship round.
Patriot League
Site: All Games Played at Higher Seed
Wednesday, March 3
G1-#8 Army (14-14) at #1 Lehigh (19-10)
G2-#7 Holy Cross (8-21) at #2 Bucknell (14-16)
G3-#6 Colgate (10-18) at #3 Lafayette (17-12)
G4-#5 Navy (13-16) at #4 American (10-19)
Sunday, March 7
Game 1 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner at Higher Seed
Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner at Higher Seed
Friday, March 12
Semifinal Winners at Higher Seed
A month ago, Bucknell stood at 6-14 and looked like a possible 20-game loser. The Bison turned it around and rebounded to go 8-2 down the stretch with a win over Lehigh. One of the two losses was also to Lehigh, so this does not make Bucknell the favorite.
There is no clear-cut favorite in this league. In fact, sixth-seeded Colgate has been playing as well an any team as the tournament opens. The Raiders had Lehigh on the ropes a couple weeks ago before falling short at the end.
Southern Conference
Site: Charlotte
Friday, March 5
G1-#3N Chattanooga (14-17) vs. #6S Ga. Southern (9-22)
G2-#4N UNC-Greensboro (7-22) vs. #5S Furman (13-16)
G3-#3S Davidson (16-14) vs. #6N Elon (8-22)
G4-#4S Citadel (15-15) vs. #5N Samford (11-19)
Saturday, March 6
G5-#1N Appalachian St. (20-11) vs. Game 4 Winner
G6-#1S Wofford (23-8) vs. Game 2 Winner
G7-#2N Western Carolina (21-10) vs. Game 3 Winner
G8-#2S Charleston (20-10) vs. Game 1 Winner
Sunday, March 7
Game 5 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner
Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner
Monday, March 8
Semifinal Winners
With Davidson just a middle of the pack team, the Socon Tournament becomes a wide-open race. The top four seeds all have the talent to run the table, but Wofford must be considered the favorite. The Terriers won their final 10 games and 19 of 21, after starting 4-6.
Keep an eye on College of Charleston. Coach Bobby Cremins has talent at the guard spot, and he knows how to get to the Big Dance.
Summit League
Site: Sioux Falls, SD
Saturday, March 6
G1-#1 Oakland (23-8) vs. #8 Mo.-Kansas City (12-17)
G2-#2 I U P U I (22-9) vs. #7 Western Illinois (13-16)
Sunday, March 7
G3-#3 Oral Roberts (19-12) vs. #6 N. Dakota St. (11-17)
G4-#4 S. Dakota St. (14-15) vs. #5 I P F W (15-14)
Monday, March 8
Game 1 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner
Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner
Tuesday, March 9
Semifinal Winners
Oakland’s path to the Championship Game is not all that easy. Last place UMKC was no pushover, and the Grizzlies didn’t win all that convincingly in the regular season. A possible semifinal match with the host team, South Dakota State, will be even harder. The Jackrabbits have the best backcourt in the league, but they are a little weak inside. That’s where Oakland is strongest with 6-11 center Keith Benson, the league’s top player.
IUPUI won 12 of its final 14 games and blew Oakland off the floor by 24 points. The Jaguars have an easier path to the title game.
Sunbelt Conference
Site: Hot Springs, AR (in two separate gyms)
Saturday, March 6
G1-#4 Western Kentucky (19-12) VS. #13 New Orleans (8-21)
G2-#5 Arkansas St. (16-13) vs. #12 Ark.-Little Rock (8-21)
G3-#6 Denver (17-12) vs. #11 Florida Int’l (7-24)
G4-#7 UL-Lafayette (13-16) vs. #10 UL-Monroe (11-18)
G5-#8 Fla. Atlantic (14-15) vs. #9 South Alabama (16-14)
Sunday, March 7
G6-#1 Troy (18-11) vs. Game 5 Winner
G7-#2 North Texas (21-8) vs. Game 4 Winner
G8-#3 Middle Tennessee (19-12) vs. Game 3 Winner
G9-Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner
Monday, March 8
Game 6 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner
Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner
Tuesday, March 9
Semifinal Winners
The top four seeds enter this tournament on high notes, but none are higher than Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers went 7-7 during the 14-games missed to injury by beefy forward Sergio Kerusch. WKU defeated Vanderbilt, Murray State, and Mississippi State in the pre-conference schedule, and they could be headed back to the Big Dance for the third year in a row, as they ride a six-game winning streak entering the tournament.
North Texas comes into this tournament on an eight-game winning streak. The Mean Green edged WKU in overtime during the time Kerusch was out.
Arkansas State is coming into this tournament as a darkhorse, but watch out for Red Wolves. Former LSU coach John Brady’s squad swept North Texas; both wins were by double digits.
West Coast Conference
Site: Las Vegas
Friday, March 5
G1-#5 Loyola Marymount (16-14) vs. #8 Pepperdine (7-23)
G2-#6 San Diego (10-20) vs. #7 Santa Clara (11-20)
Saturday, March 6
G3-#3 Portland (19-9) vs. Game 2 Winner
G4-#4 San Francisco (12-17) vs. Game 1 Winner
Sunday, March 7
Gonzaga (24-5) vs. Game 4 Winner
St. Mary’s (24-5) vs. Game 3 Winner
Monday, March 8
Semifinal Winners
For once, this is a three-team race. Gonzaga swept St. Mary’s and Portland and will more than likely have to face one of the two for the championship. It’s hard to beat a good team three times in a row, but the Bulldogs have the talent to do so.
St. Mary’s and Portland split a pair of really tight games, so there is no clear cut favorite if they meet in the Semifinals. The Gaels benefit from getting an extra day off.
If any team from the first day of play has a chance, it is Loyola Marymount. The Lions beat Gonzaga and Portland in February. First year coach Max Good took a team picked to be last in the league and brought them home at 7-7 in WCC play.
The Pi-Rate Ratings 