| Conference | W-L Record |
| Atlantic Sun | 4-0 |
| Big South | 3-0 |
| Horizon League | 2-0 |
| Patriot League | 2-0 |
| Overall | 11-0 |
Through 2 days of conference play, I’m 11-0 overall. I swear I know what I’m talking about, but I’m not a guru like it seems. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that it all goes down from here. If it doesn’t, then once we commence NCAA bracket play everyone is going to be way too into my picks and you’ll easily be let down. Anyways, lets focus on what day 3 has in store!
Horizon League Quarterfinals
#2 Northern Kentucky vs. #7 Detroit Mercy
Northern Kentucky had the best overall record of any team in the Horizon League at 23-8, which includes and incredible 16-1 at home. As one of the teams on my Mid Major Honorable Mention list from earlier this month, I love the Norse. Detroit Mercy averaged almost eight steals a night as a team this season. However, that didn’t stop the Norse from beating the Titans twice and scoring 95 and 97 in both affairs. The Norse will move on.
#3 Oakland vs. #6 Youngstown State
Oakland, no not located in California, shot an insane 46.9% from the field as a team this season. The Golden Grizzlies have won four straight leading into the tournament. The Penguins of Youngstown State aren’t heading into the conference tournament on such a nice note, they’ve lost three straight. Despite my favorite animal being the Penguin, Youngstown State won’t earn my bias. Oakland sees the semifinals.
Northeast Conference Quarterfinal
#1 St. Francis PA vs. #8 Bryant
The Red Flash won’t just be in the pan for one game. A really good rebounding team, St. Francis dropped two of the last three to share the best regular season record in the conference. Prior to that, they rattled off seven straight wins and dominated. Bryant struggled this season and went 2-7 after February. They’ll have to go to the Red Flash’s home court to try and pull off the upset, but Bryant went 2-13 on the road all year. The 1 seed moves on.
#2 Farleigh Dickinson vs. #7 Wagner
FDU is on fire right now. They’ve won five straight and couldn’t be hotter. After a 1-4 start in conference play, it’s a little surprising to see FDU sitting where they are. One of those four losses came at the hands of this exact Wagner team. However, the latest matchup between these teams occurred at FDU and that resulted in an 8-point FDU win. FDU will continue to ride this wave and pick up the win at home.
#3 Sacred Heart vs. #6 LIU-Brooklyn
Sacred Heart scores 80 points per night, that’s good enough for 30th in the country. They’ve scored the 12th most total points in the country. Brooklyn is a top rebounding team and excel defensively, especially in the block department. In total, Brooklyn is 14th in the country in total blocks. Both teams have won three straight. Brooklyn took the last meeting, but with Sacred Heart going 10-2 at home this season, I expect them to squeak out a close one.
#4 Robert Morris vs. #5 St. Francis-Brooklyn
These two teams are wildly similar. Robert Morris keeps their opponents to under 70 points a night. They’ve played two very close games. Robert Morris was the victor both times. With home court advantage I’ll take Robert Morris to make it three in a row.
Ohio Valley Conference 1st Round
#5 Morehead State vs. #8 SIU-Edwardsville
Both these teams saw struggles throughout the year. With the help of a little bias based off of their recent games, I’m picking Morehead State. They’ve won two of three, while Edwardsville has dropped two of three. Edwardsville won the only meeting this season, but I’m still on Morehead State anyways. Trust the gut.
#6 Eastern Illinois vs. #7 UT-Martin
Another game with two teams very similar in style. Both teams have been outscored by about five points per night. It’s tough to pick out a specifically better team. However, Eastern Illinois has lost five straight games. I don’t think they’ll be able to get off the schnide. The Skyhawks will move to the quarterfinals.
Lets see if the ball keeps rolling like it has been, but some of these mid major games get tough to pick.
