After a tough stretch, we finally got off the pine with going a p-word 2 for 2 in our champions yesterday. Wofford’s win led us to a p-word bracket for the Southern Conference. Iona’s auto-bid from the MAAC gave us a champion and salvaged just about 50-50 results from that bracket. We also had success and returned back to form with the overall games. We went 12-2 in controllable games and 12-3 for the day. Overall, 72-31 (69.9%) is where we sit. Here’s today’s slate of 18 more games with only 1 being an immediate loss.
ACC 1st round
#10 Georgia Tech vs. #15 Notre Dame
In a disappointing season for the Fighting Irish, they find themselves at the bottom of the conference. They beat a really good Purdue team in the non-conference and things looked good. Once they got to conference play, things weren’t as good as it seemed. Notre Dame won 3 conference games, which includes a win at home over Georgia Tech. However, the Fighting Irish have lost 7 in a row and shoot under 40% as a team. This game will be Georgia Tech’s for the taking.
#11 Boston College vs. #14 Pittsburgh
The two teams at hand played each other 1 time this season. Boston College was the victor. If you take that win and put the record together the rest of the season, BC went 3-5. That includes losing the last 3 games of the regular season. Even though Pitt ended the regular season on a win, they lost 13 in a row before that. Boston College moves on.
#12 Miami (FL) vs. #13 Wake Forest
It’s amazing to me that in a conference that has 15 teams and from top to bottom has the most firepower in the country, that a team in the bottom third and won a handful of conference games gets outscored by 7 points a game, on average. Wake Forest also shoots under 40% as a team. Miami will be able to fend off the Demon Deacons and move on to the second round.
America East Semifinal
#1 Vermont vs. #7 Binghamton
Vermont is the best team in the conference. They’re a top 40 team in the country at the end of the day. They’ve won 4 in a row including the first round of the tournament. They’ll move to the championship game after taking care of business.
#3 UMBC vs. #4 Hartford
Folks, do you believe in fate? We have the opportunity to get a rematch of last years conference tournament championship that came down to a buzzer beater. Ultimately, that led us to the first ever 16 seed to beat a 1 seed. I think the stars align again and UMBC wins a tough game to setup an all-time rematch.
MEAC 1st round
#8 MD-Eastern Shore vs. #9 South Carolina State
Two of the longest named teams in the country square off today. When we look at the recent history, SC State has lost 4 in a row. UMES has won 3 in a row. The one meeting between these teams ended in a UMES win. It will be a battle of teams that look to get hot in the tournament in order to find themselves an auto bid into the big dance.
#7 Coppin State vs. #10 Morgan State
The last game of the regular season for these teams came against each other. Coppin State took care of business fairly easily. They went 2-0 against Morgan State this season and didn’t seem to have many issues. I think they make it 3-0 and move on.
Sun Belt 1st Round
#7 UL-Monroe vs. #10 Appalachian State
In late February, UL-Monroe beat Appalachian State. If you flip ULM’s home record of 12-2, you get 2-12. That’s App State’s road record. With first round games at campus sites, I see the Warhawks getting the win.
#8 South Alabama vs. #9 Arkansas State
South Alabama shoots 46% as a team, compared to the 42% that Arkansas State does. They might not rebound as well, but South Alabama’s ability to shoot the lights out and play a little bit of defense will power them to victory.
SWAC Quarterfinal
#1 Prairie View A&M vs. #8 Alcorn State
Prairie View took the SWAC by storm this season after very lackluster non-conference play. They started the season with a win, then dropped 11 in a row. They finished non-conference play with a win and started conference play with 9 straight. They dropped a tight matchup to Texas Southern, then rolled off 8 straight including beating Alcorn State in the last game of the season. They’ll roll again.
#2 Texas Southern vs. #7 Southern
Texas Southern was the only team able to beat Prairie View A&M this season. They were also able to win almost 3 times as many games overall as Southern did. Southern shoots 30% as a team. That wont get it done. Texas Southern moves on.
#3 Jackson State vs. #6 Alabama State
Jackson State won 4 of 5 and 3 in a row to finish the season. Another game that ended with the higher seed beating the lower seed in the last game of the season, Jackson State is just a little better in every aspect and will win again over Alabama State.
#4 Grambling vs. #5 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Grambling ended the regular season on a 3 game tear. Their last loss? It came on the road to Arkansas-Pin Bluff. When Grambling played Pine Bluff at home this season? A 24 point blowout. First round games are played at home and Grambling will take the win at home.
CAA Championship
#1 Hofstra vs. #2 Northeastern
By reaching this championship game, Hofstra has won 27 games this season, a school record. Both teams are coming off of some real thrillers of games. Hofstra saw an overtime win and Northeastern went down to the last few seconds and iced the game with some free throws. I think Hofstra’s season is too special for them not to end it on a high note. They’ll complete a special season and grab the CAA’s automatic bid to the big dance.
Horizon League Championship
#1 Wright State vs. #2 Northern Kentucky
These teams split their season series. Wright State took care of Green Bay fairly easily and now 3 straight after 2 straight tournament wins. Wright State has now won 9 of 10. With 2 straight wins in the tournament and 2 straight to end the regular season, Northern Kentucky has won 4 straight. Northern Kentucky shoots 4% better as a team and I think they’ll continue their winning was and fashion together and auto bid for themselves.
NEC Championship
#1 St. Francis-PA vs. #2 FDU
FDU has won 7 straight games. On the opposite side, St. Francis-PA has won 2 straight, those only being from the conference tournament. FDU shoots better, plays better defense, and is as hot as anybody in the country. With what would be win number 20, FDU will cut down the nets and grab the auto bid today.
Summit League Championship
#2 Omaha vs. #4 North Dakota State
Omaha has taken care of business as the higher seed so far. While North Dakota State has taken care of business, they had help from Western Illinois beating South Dakota State. North Dakota State lost both meetings against Omaha so we will find out if they can avenge those losses.
West Coast Championship
#1 Gonzaga vs. #2 St. Mary’s
C’mon. We all know the answer. Zags take the cake.
Hopefully we can add to our list of predicted campions to the 2 we had from yesterday.
