The 2023 WAC tournament is completely up for grabs here. There is no clear-cut favorite, but there are two teams that look to be a tier above the rest. However, in this conference, anybody can beat each other on any given night. I have a direction in which I am going in for my winner, but what do you think? Here is my predictions for the 2023 WAC tournament.
The Betting Odds
Sam Houston State +120
Utah Valley +170
Southern Utah +700
Grand Canyon +1400
Seattle +1500
Tarleton St +2000
Stephen F. Austin +2500
Cal Baptist +3500
Abilene Christian +10000
UT Rio Grande Valley +35000
The Bracket
Does The Bearkats Defense Lead Them To The NCAA Tournament?
Sam Houston State is one of the best defensive teams in the country. The Bearkats give up 58.5 points per game which is top ten in the country. However, one thing that is holding this team back is their offense. If their inconsistent offense gets consistent, then the Bearkats easily walk into the NCAA tournament. The Bearkats are led by senior guard Qua Grant. Grant averages 13.8 points per game which leads the team. Without Grant, this team doesn’t function offensively. Sam Houston State doesn’t need to worry about their defense, but they need someone besides Grant to step up offensively.
Can Utah Valley Go Dancing For The First Time?
The Utah Valley Wolverines have been one of the most fun teams to watch in the entire country. Utah Valley averages 76.7 points per game on the season which is the third best in the WAC and t-68th in the nation. The Wolverines are led by the trio of guards in Le’Tre Darthard, Justin Harmon, and Trey Woodbury. Darthard averages 14.4 points per game and Harmon averages 12.8 points per game to go along with 3.6 rebounds per game and 2.9 assists per game. Woodbury averages 12.6 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds per game and 4.4 assists per game.
Those three guards have been great all season long, and they also have a big man averaging a double-double. Sophomore Aziz Bandaogo averages 11.4 points per game to go along with 10.5 rebounds per game (11th in the nation). If Utah Valley wants to win the WAC tournament title, they need these four guys to play like they have played all season long. They should be the tournament favorites, but for my own purposes, I am glad that they aren’t.
The Don’s Winner
I am putting my faith in this Utah Valley team +170 to win the WAC tournament. They are a complete team and there is no stopping the Wolverines from going dancing for the first time ever in school history. Look out because the Wolverines from Utah Valley are coming.
The Don’s Game By Game Predictions
First Round
9 Abilene Christian over 8 Cal Baptist
5 Grand Canyon over 12 UT-Arlington
10 UT Rio Grande Valley over 7 Tarleton State
6 Stephen F. Austin over 11 Utah Tech
Quarterfinals
1 Sam Houston State over 9 Abilene Christian
4 Seattle over 5 Grand Canyon
2 Utah Valley over 10 UT Rio Grande Valley
3 Southern Utah over 6 Stephen F. Austin
Semifinals
4 Seattle over 1 Sam Houston State
2 Utah Valley over 3 Southern Utah
Finals
2 Utah Valley over 4 Seattle