The staff here at Wildcat Insiders was 18 for 30 in predicting the conference tournament winner.
In the 12 that were incorrect, 7 of the teams that lost were predicted to win.
In the only waffle-pick, The WAC conference, it should be noted that while the "official" pick was Nevada, the staff also noted that they wouldnt be surprised if New Mexico State or Utah State won it... well they played for the title so props to the "staff" for that comment.
By the way, thanks for all that are perusing the blog but not commenting.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Thursday, March 8, 2007
So far Conference Tournaments
Even in a proven period of parity and equal talent among the elite, the conference tournaments have but for a select few, have gone pretty much to the ones who were the elite of the conference.
America East. Albany (2) vs Vermont (1) (Saturday, NOON, ESPN)
Atlantic Sun. Belmont (2) beat East Tennessee (1). (Belmont finished 1 game behind ETSU)
Big Sky. Weber State (1) beat Northern Arizona (2)
Big South. Winthrop (1) beat WMI (6).
Colonial. VCU (1) beat George Mason (6)
Horizon. Wright State (1) beat Butler (2)
Metro-Atlantic. Niagara (2) beat Siena (4). The 2-4 seeds all had the same conference record and ended 2 games behind #1 seed Marist.
Mid Continent. Oral Roberts (1) defeated Oakland (MI) (2).
Missouri Valley. Creighton (2) defeated Southern Illinois (1)
Northeast. Central Connecticut (1) defeated Sacred Heart (2)
Ohio Valley. Eastern Kentucky (2) defeated Austin Peay (1)
Patriot. Holy Cross (1) plays Bucknell (2) (ended with same conference record... their overall record are HC 24-8, Bucknell 22-8)
Southern. Davidson (1) defeated Charleston (3).
Sun Belt. North Texas (5) defeated Arkansas State (2)This is the only league where the top 2 seeds were both beaten so far. Western beaten in Semis by Arkansas State. South Alabama in second round by eventual champ North Texas. Note about North Texas. They besides South Alabama were the hottest team in the last 4 weeks of the season.
West Coast. Gonzaga (1) defeated Santa Clara (2).
WI Staff predictions so far. 7 of the 12 tournaments were predicted correctly. in two others the prediction played in the final game.
So, in the midst of the final mid to low major conference tournaments widing down and the BIG BOYS just starting. The WI Staff has done well so far.
America East. Albany (2) vs Vermont (1) (Saturday, NOON, ESPN)
Atlantic Sun. Belmont (2) beat East Tennessee (1). (Belmont finished 1 game behind ETSU)
Big Sky. Weber State (1) beat Northern Arizona (2)
Big South. Winthrop (1) beat WMI (6).
Colonial. VCU (1) beat George Mason (6)
Horizon. Wright State (1) beat Butler (2)
Metro-Atlantic. Niagara (2) beat Siena (4). The 2-4 seeds all had the same conference record and ended 2 games behind #1 seed Marist.
Mid Continent. Oral Roberts (1) defeated Oakland (MI) (2).
Missouri Valley. Creighton (2) defeated Southern Illinois (1)
Northeast. Central Connecticut (1) defeated Sacred Heart (2)
Ohio Valley. Eastern Kentucky (2) defeated Austin Peay (1)
Patriot. Holy Cross (1) plays Bucknell (2) (ended with same conference record... their overall record are HC 24-8, Bucknell 22-8)
Southern. Davidson (1) defeated Charleston (3).
Sun Belt. North Texas (5) defeated Arkansas State (2)This is the only league where the top 2 seeds were both beaten so far. Western beaten in Semis by Arkansas State. South Alabama in second round by eventual champ North Texas. Note about North Texas. They besides South Alabama were the hottest team in the last 4 weeks of the season.
West Coast. Gonzaga (1) defeated Santa Clara (2).
WI Staff predictions so far. 7 of the 12 tournaments were predicted correctly. in two others the prediction played in the final game.
So, in the midst of the final mid to low major conference tournaments widing down and the BIG BOYS just starting. The WI Staff has done well so far.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
NCAA Conference Tournament Preview IX (Big 10, Big 12)
Big 10
Team to beat: Ohio State — The Buckeyes' home win against Wisconsin gave them the Big Ten crown and the top seed. However, Wisconsin is a close second and can make a strong case for a No. 1 overall seed if they win the Big Ten tourney.
Sleeper: Indiana — The Hoosiers are certainly capable, having knocked off Wisconsin and Michigan State during the season. D.J. White is one of the best big men in the country and Kelvin Sampson has a solid backcourt.
Prediction: Ohio State -- Too much talent in Columbus. Too much coaching in Columbus.
Tournament Schedule
at Chicago, Ill. (United Center)
Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Michigan vs. No. 9 Minnesota, noon ET
Game 2: No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Northwestern, 2:30
Game 3: No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 11 Penn St., 5:05
Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 4: No. 1 Ohio State vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 5: No. 4 Iowa vs. No. 5 Purdue, 2:30
Game 6: No. 2 Wisconsin vs. Game 2 winner, 6:40
Game 7: No. 3 Indiana vs. Game 3 winner, 9:10
Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 1:40 p.m.
Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 4:05
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 3:30 p.m. CBS
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Greg Oden, 7-0, 270, C, Fr., Ohio State
Rookie of the Year: Greg Oden, 7-0, 270, C, Fr., Ohio State
Coach of the Year: Thad Matta, Ohio State
All-Big Ten team
Greg Oden, 7-0, 270, C, Fr., Ohio State — 15.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.5 bpg
Alando Tucker, 6-6, 205, F, Sr., Wisconsin — 20.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Drew Neitzel, 6-0, 180, G, Jr., Michigan State — 18.3 ppg, 4.1 apg
Mike Conley Jr., 6-1, 180, G, Fr., Ohio State — 10.1 ppg, 6.4 apg, 3 rpg, 2.3 spg
Carl Landry, 6-7, 250, F, Sr., Purdue — 18.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg
Big 12
Team to beat: Kansas — The Jayhawks have it going these days after struggling to find their identity early in the season. Bill Self's team has plenty of talent, headlined by Brandon Rush and Julian Wright.
Sleeper: Texas Tech — The Red Raiders may not be the most talented team in the league, but Bob Knight doesn't necessarily need all that much talent. Guard Jarrius Jackson may be able to lead Texas Tech deep into the Big 12 tourney with a road that starts against No. 12 Colorado.
Prediction: Kansas — The Jayhawks still have plenty to prove -- including that they are deserving of a No. 1 seed. KU will run the table and win the Big 12 tourney.
Tournament Schedule
at Oklahoma City, Okla. (Ford Center) All Times CST
Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Iowa State vs. No. 9 Oklahoma, 11:30 a.m.
Game 2: No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Colorado, 2 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Nebraska, 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Baylor, 8:20 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 Kansas vs. ISU/OU winner, 11:30 a.m
Game 6: No. 4 Kansas State vs. TTU/CU winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Texas A&M vs. OSU/NU winner, 6 p.m.
Game 8: No. 3 Texas vs. MU/BU winner, 8:20 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 3:20 p.m.
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 2 p.m. ESPN
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Kevin Durant, 6-9, 225, F, Fr., Texas
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant, 6-9, 225, F, Fr., Texas
Coach of the Year: Rick Barnes, Texas
All-Big 12 team
Kevin Durant, 6-9, 225, F, Fr., Texas — 25.1 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 1.8 spg, 1.8 bpg
Julian Wright, 6-8, 225, F, Soph., Kansas — 12 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.5 bpg
Acie Law IV, 6-3, 195, G, Sr., Texas A&M — 18.2 ppg, 5.3 apg, 3.1 rpg
Mario Boggan, 6-7, 200, F, Sr., Oklahoma State — 19.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg
Jarrius Jackson, 6-2, 185, G, Sr., Texas Tech — 20.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.7 apg
Team to beat: Ohio State — The Buckeyes' home win against Wisconsin gave them the Big Ten crown and the top seed. However, Wisconsin is a close second and can make a strong case for a No. 1 overall seed if they win the Big Ten tourney.
Sleeper: Indiana — The Hoosiers are certainly capable, having knocked off Wisconsin and Michigan State during the season. D.J. White is one of the best big men in the country and Kelvin Sampson has a solid backcourt.
Prediction: Ohio State -- Too much talent in Columbus. Too much coaching in Columbus.
Tournament Schedule
at Chicago, Ill. (United Center)
Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Michigan vs. No. 9 Minnesota, noon ET
Game 2: No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Northwestern, 2:30
Game 3: No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 11 Penn St., 5:05
Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 4: No. 1 Ohio State vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 5: No. 4 Iowa vs. No. 5 Purdue, 2:30
Game 6: No. 2 Wisconsin vs. Game 2 winner, 6:40
Game 7: No. 3 Indiana vs. Game 3 winner, 9:10
Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 1:40 p.m.
Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 4:05
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 3:30 p.m. CBS
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Greg Oden, 7-0, 270, C, Fr., Ohio State
Rookie of the Year: Greg Oden, 7-0, 270, C, Fr., Ohio State
Coach of the Year: Thad Matta, Ohio State
All-Big Ten team
Greg Oden, 7-0, 270, C, Fr., Ohio State — 15.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.5 bpg
Alando Tucker, 6-6, 205, F, Sr., Wisconsin — 20.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Drew Neitzel, 6-0, 180, G, Jr., Michigan State — 18.3 ppg, 4.1 apg
Mike Conley Jr., 6-1, 180, G, Fr., Ohio State — 10.1 ppg, 6.4 apg, 3 rpg, 2.3 spg
Carl Landry, 6-7, 250, F, Sr., Purdue — 18.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg
Big 12
Team to beat: Kansas — The Jayhawks have it going these days after struggling to find their identity early in the season. Bill Self's team has plenty of talent, headlined by Brandon Rush and Julian Wright.
Sleeper: Texas Tech — The Red Raiders may not be the most talented team in the league, but Bob Knight doesn't necessarily need all that much talent. Guard Jarrius Jackson may be able to lead Texas Tech deep into the Big 12 tourney with a road that starts against No. 12 Colorado.
Prediction: Kansas — The Jayhawks still have plenty to prove -- including that they are deserving of a No. 1 seed. KU will run the table and win the Big 12 tourney.
Tournament Schedule
at Oklahoma City, Okla. (Ford Center) All Times CST
Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Iowa State vs. No. 9 Oklahoma, 11:30 a.m.
Game 2: No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Colorado, 2 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Nebraska, 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Baylor, 8:20 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 Kansas vs. ISU/OU winner, 11:30 a.m
Game 6: No. 4 Kansas State vs. TTU/CU winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Texas A&M vs. OSU/NU winner, 6 p.m.
Game 8: No. 3 Texas vs. MU/BU winner, 8:20 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 3:20 p.m.
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 2 p.m. ESPN
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Kevin Durant, 6-9, 225, F, Fr., Texas
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant, 6-9, 225, F, Fr., Texas
Coach of the Year: Rick Barnes, Texas
All-Big 12 team
Kevin Durant, 6-9, 225, F, Fr., Texas — 25.1 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 1.8 spg, 1.8 bpg
Julian Wright, 6-8, 225, F, Soph., Kansas — 12 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.5 bpg
Acie Law IV, 6-3, 195, G, Sr., Texas A&M — 18.2 ppg, 5.3 apg, 3.1 rpg
Mario Boggan, 6-7, 200, F, Sr., Oklahoma State — 19.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg
Jarrius Jackson, 6-2, 185, G, Sr., Texas Tech — 20.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.7 apg
Conference Tournament Preview VIII (SEC, ACC)
SEC
Team to beat: Florida — The defending national champs are still the heavy favorite in the SEC tourney. They have been there, done that are will try and put together another winning streak entering the NCAA tournament.
Sleeper: Kentucky - The all-time greatest program has had some rough times in the past 7 games. But they did win 11 in a row this past winter. There are 2 McDonalds All-Americans on the team. And Tubby is an elite coach. If anyone in the country can pull of 4 games in a row because of his coaching, its Tubby Smith.
Prediction: Florida — The Gators have looked good except for 4 games this year. 2 games were when players were out sick or injured. They look like a well-oiled machine.
Tournament Schedule
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga. All Times EST
Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: Alabama vs. Kentucky, 1 p.m.
Game 2: So. Car. vs. Arkansas, 3:15 p.m.
Game 3: Georgia vs. Auburn, 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: LSU vs. Tennessee, 9:45 p.m
Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Miss. State 1 p.m.
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Vanderbilt, 3:15 p.m.
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Florida 7:30 p.m.
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Ole Miss 9:45 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner 1 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner 3:15 p.m.
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 1 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Taurean Green, 6-0, 175, G, Jr., Florida
Rookie of the Year: Jodie Meeks, 6-5 200 G, Kentucky.
Coach of the Year: Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt
All-SEC team
Taurean Green, 6-0, 175, G, Jr., Florida — 13 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.5 rpg
Chris Lofton, 6-2, 200, G, Jr., Tennessee — 20.6 ppg, 3 rpg
Randolph Morris 6'10 260 C. Jr Kentucky - 15.3 ppg. 7.3 rpg 2.1 bpg, 1.1 apg. 59% FG%
Al. Horford, 6-10, 245, F, Jr., Florida — 13.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Derrick Byars, 6-7, 230, G/F, Sr., Vanderbilt — 16.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg
ACC
Team to beat: North Carolina — Whether Tyler Hansbrough is wearing a mask of not doesn't really matter. The Tar Heels are still the most talented team in the league and maybe in America. They just need to get it going soon or else it's going to be too late.
Sleeper: Georgia Tech — It'll be difficult to win four straight games, but the Yellow Jackets are finally playing well. Led by freshmen Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young, Paul Hewitt's team has a chance to reach the final game. Especially in the bracket they are in.
Prediction: North Carolina — The Tar Heels will be a team on a mission after Hansbrough suffered a broken nose this past weekend. They won't cruise through, but they WILL WIN the ACC tournament in Tampa.
Tournament Schedule
at St. Petersburg Times Forum, Tampa, Fla. All Times EST
Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 9 Florida State, noon
Game 2: No. 5 Maryland vs. No. 12 Miami, 2 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Duke vs. No. 10 N.C. State, 7 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Georgia Tech vs. No. 11 Wake Forest, 9 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 North Carolina vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 6: No. 4 Boston College vs. Game 2 winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Virginia vs. Game 3 winner, 7 p.m
Game 8: No. 3 Virginia Tech vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m
Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 1:30 p.m. ET
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 3:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 1 p.m. ESPN
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jared Dudley, 6-7, 225, F, Sr., Boston College
Rookie of the Year: Brandan Wright, 6-9, 205, F, Fr.,
North Carolina Coach of the Year: Dave Leitao, Virginia
All-ACC team
Jared Dudley, 6-7, 225, F, Sr., Boston College — 19.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3 apg
Tyler Hansbrough, 6-9, 245, F, Soph., North Carolina — 18.8 ppg, 8 rpg
Al Thornton, 6-8, 220, F, Sr., Florida State — 20.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Sean Singletary, 6-0, 185, G, Jr., Virginia — 18.8 ppg, 4.6 apg, 4.5 rpg
Zabian Dowdell, 6-3, 190, G, Sr., Virginia Tech — 18.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.2 apg
Team to beat: Florida — The defending national champs are still the heavy favorite in the SEC tourney. They have been there, done that are will try and put together another winning streak entering the NCAA tournament.
Sleeper: Kentucky - The all-time greatest program has had some rough times in the past 7 games. But they did win 11 in a row this past winter. There are 2 McDonalds All-Americans on the team. And Tubby is an elite coach. If anyone in the country can pull of 4 games in a row because of his coaching, its Tubby Smith.
Prediction: Florida — The Gators have looked good except for 4 games this year. 2 games were when players were out sick or injured. They look like a well-oiled machine.
Tournament Schedule
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga. All Times EST
Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: Alabama vs. Kentucky, 1 p.m.
Game 2: So. Car. vs. Arkansas, 3:15 p.m.
Game 3: Georgia vs. Auburn, 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: LSU vs. Tennessee, 9:45 p.m
Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Miss. State 1 p.m.
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Vanderbilt, 3:15 p.m.
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Florida 7:30 p.m.
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Ole Miss 9:45 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner 1 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner 3:15 p.m.
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 1 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Taurean Green, 6-0, 175, G, Jr., Florida
Rookie of the Year: Jodie Meeks, 6-5 200 G, Kentucky.
Coach of the Year: Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt
All-SEC team
Taurean Green, 6-0, 175, G, Jr., Florida — 13 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.5 rpg
Chris Lofton, 6-2, 200, G, Jr., Tennessee — 20.6 ppg, 3 rpg
Randolph Morris 6'10 260 C. Jr Kentucky - 15.3 ppg. 7.3 rpg 2.1 bpg, 1.1 apg. 59% FG%
Al. Horford, 6-10, 245, F, Jr., Florida — 13.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Derrick Byars, 6-7, 230, G/F, Sr., Vanderbilt — 16.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg
ACC
Team to beat: North Carolina — Whether Tyler Hansbrough is wearing a mask of not doesn't really matter. The Tar Heels are still the most talented team in the league and maybe in America. They just need to get it going soon or else it's going to be too late.
Sleeper: Georgia Tech — It'll be difficult to win four straight games, but the Yellow Jackets are finally playing well. Led by freshmen Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young, Paul Hewitt's team has a chance to reach the final game. Especially in the bracket they are in.
Prediction: North Carolina — The Tar Heels will be a team on a mission after Hansbrough suffered a broken nose this past weekend. They won't cruise through, but they WILL WIN the ACC tournament in Tampa.
Tournament Schedule
at St. Petersburg Times Forum, Tampa, Fla. All Times EST
Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 9 Florida State, noon
Game 2: No. 5 Maryland vs. No. 12 Miami, 2 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Duke vs. No. 10 N.C. State, 7 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Georgia Tech vs. No. 11 Wake Forest, 9 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 North Carolina vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 6: No. 4 Boston College vs. Game 2 winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Virginia vs. Game 3 winner, 7 p.m
Game 8: No. 3 Virginia Tech vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m
Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 1:30 p.m. ET
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 3:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 1 p.m. ESPN
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jared Dudley, 6-7, 225, F, Sr., Boston College
Rookie of the Year: Brandan Wright, 6-9, 205, F, Fr.,
North Carolina Coach of the Year: Dave Leitao, Virginia
All-ACC team
Jared Dudley, 6-7, 225, F, Sr., Boston College — 19.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3 apg
Tyler Hansbrough, 6-9, 245, F, Soph., North Carolina — 18.8 ppg, 8 rpg
Al Thornton, 6-8, 220, F, Sr., Florida State — 20.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Sean Singletary, 6-0, 185, G, Jr., Virginia — 18.8 ppg, 4.6 apg, 4.5 rpg
Zabian Dowdell, 6-3, 190, G, Sr., Virginia Tech — 18.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.2 apg
NCAA COnference Tournament Preview VII (SWAC, MAC, C-USA)
Southwestern Athletic Conference
Team to beat: Mississippi Valley State — The Delta Devils won the regular-season title and are the No. 1 seed. Junior guard Standford Speech leads a balanced team that also features 7-foot senior Ronald Alexander.
Sleeper: Southern — Southern swept Mississippi Valley State and split with Jackson State. DeForrest Riley-Smith leads the team, which also has a solid guard tandem in sophomores Chris Davis and Steffon Wiley.
Prediction: Jackson State — Trey Johnson is as prolific a scorer as there is in the country. The senior guard puts up 27 points per game and can single-handedly lead the No. 2 seed to the Big Dance.
Tournament Schedule (Birmingham Jefferson County Civic Center) All Times CST
Wednesday, March 7
Game 1: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 2:30 ET
Game 2: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8 p.m.
Thursday, March 8
Game 3: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 2:30 ET
Game 4: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 8 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 2:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 5 p.m.
Geeks's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Trey Johnson, 6-5, 220, G, Sr., Jackson State
Rookie of the Year: Trant Simpson, 6-0, 165, G, Fr., Alabama A&M
Coach of the Year: James Green, Mississippi Valley State
All-SWAC team
Trey Johnson, 6-5, 220, G, Sr., Jackson State — 27.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.7 spg
Christopher Moore, 6-8, 220, F, Sr., Texas Southern — 14 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 1.7 apg
DeForrest Riley-Smith, 6-6, 215, F, Sr., Southern — 14.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.9 apg
Standford Speech, 6-2, 190, G, Jr., Mississippi Valley State — 12.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2 apg
Andre Ratliff, 5-10, 175, G, Jr., Grambling State — 16.6 ppg, 4 apg
Mid-American Conference
Team to beat: Toledo — The Rockets earned their first regular-season title in 27 years. Stan Joplin's team is led by senior guard Justin Ingram. Toledo went to the title game last season for the first time in a decade.
Sleeper: Western Michigan — Joe Kreitz gives the Broncos a solid inside threat while freshman David Kool is one of the top guards in the conference.
Prediction: Akron — The Zips have a pair of LeBron James' former high school teammates, seniors Romeo Travis and Dru Joyce, leading the way. If LeBron rubbed off on these guys at all, which he did, I'm taking these guys.
Tournament Schedule (Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland OH)All Times EST
Wednesday, March 7 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Eastern Michigan vs. No. 9 Ball State, 1 p.m. ET
Game 2: No. 5 Ohio vs. No. 12 Bowling Green, 3 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Central Michigan vs. No. 10 Buffalo, 5 p.m.
Game 4: Western Michigan vs. No. 11 Northern Ill., 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 Toledo vs. 8/9 winner, noon
Game 6: No. 4 Miami vs. 5/12 winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Akron vs. 7/10 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 8: No. 3 Kent State vs. 6/11 winner, 9 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 7 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Romeo Travis, 6-7, 220, F, Sr., Akron
Rookie of the Year: David Kool, 6-3, 200, G, Fr., Western Michigan
Coach of the Year: Stan Joplin, Toledo
All-Mid American team
Romeo Travis, 6-7, 220, F, Sr., Akron — 15.1 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 bpg
Justin Ingram, 6-3, 185, G, Sr., Toledo — 14.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2 spg Giordan Watson, 5-10, 175, G, Jr., Central Michigan — 18.5 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.1 rpg Jerome Tillman, 6-6, 240, F, Soph., Ohio — 15.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Joe Reitz, 6-7, 255, C, Jr., Western Michigan — 13.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg
Conference USA
Team to beat: Memphis — There's little chance that anyone ends up winning the conference tournament other than John Calipari's team. There's that much disparity in talent from Memphis to the No. 2 team in the league.
Sleeper: Southern Miss — I don't really believe that Larry Eustachy's team can win the tournament, but he has a pair of outstanding freshman in Jeremy Wise and Sai'Quon Stone.
Prediction: Memphis — The Tigers are probably bigger favorites to win their league tournament than anyone else in the nation. Cause the rest of the conference is Low to Low-Mid Major.
Tournament Schedule (FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN) All Times CST
Wednesday, March 7 — First round
Game 1: No. 7 Rice vs. No. 10 UTEP, noon CT
Game 2: No. 6 Southern Miss vs. No. 11 SMU, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: No. 8 Marshall vs. No. 9 UAB, 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 5 Tulsa vs. No. 12 East Carolina , 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 —Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 2 UCF vs. Game 1 winner, noon CT
Game 6: No. 3 Houston vs. Game 2 winner, 2:30 p.m.
Game 7: No. 1 Memphis vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 8: No. 4 Tulane vs. Game 4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 3:30 p.m. CT
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 10:35 a.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Chris Douglas-Roberts, 6-5, 180, G, Soph., Memphis
Rookie of the Year: Jeremy Wise, 6-2, 165, G, Fr., Southern Miss
Coach of the Year: John Calipari, Memphis
All-Conference USA team
Chris Douglas-Roberts, 6-5, 180, G, Soph., Memphis — 15.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Joey Dorsey, 6-9, 260, C, Jr., Memphis — 8.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.5 bpg
Morris Almond, 6-6, 215, G, Sr., Rice — 26.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Paul Delaney III, 6-2, 200, G, Jr., UAB — 15.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.1 apg
Jeremy Wise, 6-2, 165, G, Fr., Southern Miss — 17.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.1 apg
Team to beat: Mississippi Valley State — The Delta Devils won the regular-season title and are the No. 1 seed. Junior guard Standford Speech leads a balanced team that also features 7-foot senior Ronald Alexander.
Sleeper: Southern — Southern swept Mississippi Valley State and split with Jackson State. DeForrest Riley-Smith leads the team, which also has a solid guard tandem in sophomores Chris Davis and Steffon Wiley.
Prediction: Jackson State — Trey Johnson is as prolific a scorer as there is in the country. The senior guard puts up 27 points per game and can single-handedly lead the No. 2 seed to the Big Dance.
Tournament Schedule (Birmingham Jefferson County Civic Center) All Times CST
Wednesday, March 7
Game 1: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 2:30 ET
Game 2: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8 p.m.
Thursday, March 8
Game 3: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 2:30 ET
Game 4: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 8 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 2:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 5 p.m.
Geeks's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Trey Johnson, 6-5, 220, G, Sr., Jackson State
Rookie of the Year: Trant Simpson, 6-0, 165, G, Fr., Alabama A&M
Coach of the Year: James Green, Mississippi Valley State
All-SWAC team
Trey Johnson, 6-5, 220, G, Sr., Jackson State — 27.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.7 spg
Christopher Moore, 6-8, 220, F, Sr., Texas Southern — 14 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 1.7 apg
DeForrest Riley-Smith, 6-6, 215, F, Sr., Southern — 14.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.9 apg
Standford Speech, 6-2, 190, G, Jr., Mississippi Valley State — 12.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2 apg
Andre Ratliff, 5-10, 175, G, Jr., Grambling State — 16.6 ppg, 4 apg
Mid-American Conference
Team to beat: Toledo — The Rockets earned their first regular-season title in 27 years. Stan Joplin's team is led by senior guard Justin Ingram. Toledo went to the title game last season for the first time in a decade.
Sleeper: Western Michigan — Joe Kreitz gives the Broncos a solid inside threat while freshman David Kool is one of the top guards in the conference.
Prediction: Akron — The Zips have a pair of LeBron James' former high school teammates, seniors Romeo Travis and Dru Joyce, leading the way. If LeBron rubbed off on these guys at all, which he did, I'm taking these guys.
Tournament Schedule (Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland OH)All Times EST
Wednesday, March 7 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Eastern Michigan vs. No. 9 Ball State, 1 p.m. ET
Game 2: No. 5 Ohio vs. No. 12 Bowling Green, 3 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Central Michigan vs. No. 10 Buffalo, 5 p.m.
Game 4: Western Michigan vs. No. 11 Northern Ill., 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 Toledo vs. 8/9 winner, noon
Game 6: No. 4 Miami vs. 5/12 winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Akron vs. 7/10 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 8: No. 3 Kent State vs. 6/11 winner, 9 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 7 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Romeo Travis, 6-7, 220, F, Sr., Akron
Rookie of the Year: David Kool, 6-3, 200, G, Fr., Western Michigan
Coach of the Year: Stan Joplin, Toledo
All-Mid American team
Romeo Travis, 6-7, 220, F, Sr., Akron — 15.1 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 bpg
Justin Ingram, 6-3, 185, G, Sr., Toledo — 14.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2 spg Giordan Watson, 5-10, 175, G, Jr., Central Michigan — 18.5 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.1 rpg Jerome Tillman, 6-6, 240, F, Soph., Ohio — 15.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Joe Reitz, 6-7, 255, C, Jr., Western Michigan — 13.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg
Conference USA
Team to beat: Memphis — There's little chance that anyone ends up winning the conference tournament other than John Calipari's team. There's that much disparity in talent from Memphis to the No. 2 team in the league.
Sleeper: Southern Miss — I don't really believe that Larry Eustachy's team can win the tournament, but he has a pair of outstanding freshman in Jeremy Wise and Sai'Quon Stone.
Prediction: Memphis — The Tigers are probably bigger favorites to win their league tournament than anyone else in the nation. Cause the rest of the conference is Low to Low-Mid Major.
Tournament Schedule (FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN) All Times CST
Wednesday, March 7 — First round
Game 1: No. 7 Rice vs. No. 10 UTEP, noon CT
Game 2: No. 6 Southern Miss vs. No. 11 SMU, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: No. 8 Marshall vs. No. 9 UAB, 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 5 Tulsa vs. No. 12 East Carolina , 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 —Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 2 UCF vs. Game 1 winner, noon CT
Game 6: No. 3 Houston vs. Game 2 winner, 2:30 p.m.
Game 7: No. 1 Memphis vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 8: No. 4 Tulane vs. Game 4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 3:30 p.m. CT
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 10:35 a.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Chris Douglas-Roberts, 6-5, 180, G, Soph., Memphis
Rookie of the Year: Jeremy Wise, 6-2, 165, G, Fr., Southern Miss
Coach of the Year: John Calipari, Memphis
All-Conference USA team
Chris Douglas-Roberts, 6-5, 180, G, Soph., Memphis — 15.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Joey Dorsey, 6-9, 260, C, Jr., Memphis — 8.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.5 bpg
Morris Almond, 6-6, 215, G, Sr., Rice — 26.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Paul Delaney III, 6-2, 200, G, Jr., UAB — 15.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.1 apg
Jeremy Wise, 6-2, 165, G, Fr., Southern Miss — 17.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.1 apg
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Kentucky Basketball. year 10 of the Tubby Regime
The past year has been such a strain on the UK fans.
The season began with high aspirations. Randolph Morris was back for a full year. UK had hired a new strength and conditioning coach. Crawford was back. Bradley would get his chance to lead. There wasnt any more enfighting with Patrick Sparks and Rajon Rondo. The new incoming class, while short of a power forward, was one of the best and the guards were second to none as a group.
Then we lost to UCLA. OK, no big deal to an extent, UCLA was just off of playing in the title game to Florida and had most of their roster back and a better PG (lead guard) than what they had in the scoring PG (Jordan Farmar). We only lost by 5.
Then the third game in three days (OK that isnt an excuse, it is the fact of the schedule). We lost bad to Memphis who out-athleticized us. And Calipari to an extent out-maneuvered Tubby Smith.
So OK. No big deal. Both teams were ranked and in the UCLA game we played well.
Then after a cupcake, we played North Carolina. This is when the "shortcomings" began to show. We didnt shoot well and although we really took the Tar Heels out of their game, the lack of a scorer or definitive scorer showed that UK might struggle if Randolph Morris is out or Joe or Ramel werent hitting. Again UNC was ranked so this was "OK".
We revenged a sore spot from last year by beating Indiana.
We also beat our arch rival Louisville. and win 11 games in a row... so all is well right?
Wrong.
After a couple of non-discript wins (at the time, later they showed that the teams WERE good and the wins GOOD also), we lost two in a row. One to Vanderbilt at home. When we played just dreadful. Defense didnt do a darn thing that they had been charged to do. Then we shot bad again.
Then the next game, playing in Athens, run rough-shod over the dawgs for 16:00 minutes then inexplicibly go in the tank or "coasted" and lost focus and allowed Georgia to get momentum and come back and tie the game in regulation and for Georgia to win in OT.
The whole time the team is playing basically 2 distinctly different halves each game. Either they come out like gangbusters and the coast... or they come out flatter than a flitter (a good old term given to me by my grandmother) and then rise like a Phoenix to almost come back and win.
As the season progressed this continues. Even on Gameday Night against Florida. we let Florida get out to big lead only to come back and fall short because we were too far back and there was no margin for error on the comeback.
Then two more just absolutely heart reamers. The game in Vandy where UK leads for 39 minutes and 27 seconds. AND if Joe blocks out correctly and gets rebound... but he doesnt and Byars gets rebound and sticks it back for the win. and the game in Tennessee. Also getting down but returning and falling short.
Then to ice the cake we play maybe our best half of the season in Gainesville only to have Morris get his third foul early in the second half. Then with Morris on the bench on no presence underneath we start settling again for jumpers and fall short again.
Team Turnover with Icing as one tremendous poster calls us.
This team has talent.
This team has a good coach.
What this team doesnt have is focus and heart.
If they find it we can be a legitimate team. If they keep playing like they are... More heartbreak.
The season began with high aspirations. Randolph Morris was back for a full year. UK had hired a new strength and conditioning coach. Crawford was back. Bradley would get his chance to lead. There wasnt any more enfighting with Patrick Sparks and Rajon Rondo. The new incoming class, while short of a power forward, was one of the best and the guards were second to none as a group.
Then we lost to UCLA. OK, no big deal to an extent, UCLA was just off of playing in the title game to Florida and had most of their roster back and a better PG (lead guard) than what they had in the scoring PG (Jordan Farmar). We only lost by 5.
Then the third game in three days (OK that isnt an excuse, it is the fact of the schedule). We lost bad to Memphis who out-athleticized us. And Calipari to an extent out-maneuvered Tubby Smith.
So OK. No big deal. Both teams were ranked and in the UCLA game we played well.
Then after a cupcake, we played North Carolina. This is when the "shortcomings" began to show. We didnt shoot well and although we really took the Tar Heels out of their game, the lack of a scorer or definitive scorer showed that UK might struggle if Randolph Morris is out or Joe or Ramel werent hitting. Again UNC was ranked so this was "OK".
We revenged a sore spot from last year by beating Indiana.
We also beat our arch rival Louisville. and win 11 games in a row... so all is well right?
Wrong.
After a couple of non-discript wins (at the time, later they showed that the teams WERE good and the wins GOOD also), we lost two in a row. One to Vanderbilt at home. When we played just dreadful. Defense didnt do a darn thing that they had been charged to do. Then we shot bad again.
Then the next game, playing in Athens, run rough-shod over the dawgs for 16:00 minutes then inexplicibly go in the tank or "coasted" and lost focus and allowed Georgia to get momentum and come back and tie the game in regulation and for Georgia to win in OT.
The whole time the team is playing basically 2 distinctly different halves each game. Either they come out like gangbusters and the coast... or they come out flatter than a flitter (a good old term given to me by my grandmother) and then rise like a Phoenix to almost come back and win.
As the season progressed this continues. Even on Gameday Night against Florida. we let Florida get out to big lead only to come back and fall short because we were too far back and there was no margin for error on the comeback.
Then two more just absolutely heart reamers. The game in Vandy where UK leads for 39 minutes and 27 seconds. AND if Joe blocks out correctly and gets rebound... but he doesnt and Byars gets rebound and sticks it back for the win. and the game in Tennessee. Also getting down but returning and falling short.
Then to ice the cake we play maybe our best half of the season in Gainesville only to have Morris get his third foul early in the second half. Then with Morris on the bench on no presence underneath we start settling again for jumpers and fall short again.
Team Turnover with Icing as one tremendous poster calls us.
This team has talent.
This team has a good coach.
What this team doesnt have is focus and heart.
If they find it we can be a legitimate team. If they keep playing like they are... More heartbreak.
NCAA Conference Tournament Preview VII ( Big East Atlantic 10)
Big East
Team to beat: Georgetown — A ineffective and boring start to the season caused many to wonder about the boys from our nations capital, but John Thompson III got them to finish strong and wound up with the No. 1 seed thanks to the play of Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert and improved guard play from Jonathan Wallace and Jessie Sapp.
Sleeper: Marquette — Calling the Eagles a sleeper is a bit of a stretch since they are ranked, but they are the 6th seed. They have the best guards and since guards rule in March... (have I said that already)???
Prediction: Louisville. — Call me crazy. Call me stupid. Call me a geek. They are playing as well as ANYONE right now so why not. They are athletic, long and lean. If they hit on the perimeter, they can beat anyone... anynight.
Tournament Schedule
at New York, N.Y. (Madison Square Garden) All times EST
Wednesday, March 7 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 DePaul vs. No. 9 Villanova, noon
Game 2: No. 5 Syracuse vs. No. 12 Connecticut, 2 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 West Virginia vs. No. 10 Providence, 7 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Marquette vs. No. 11 St. John's, 9 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 Georgetown vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 6: No. 4 Notre Dame vs. Game 2 winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Louisville vs. Game 3 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 8: No. 3 Pittsburgh vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 9 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jeff Green, 6-9, 235, F, Jr., Georgetown
Rookie of the Year: Scottie Reynolds, 6-2, 195, G, Fr., Villanova
Coach of the Year: Mike Brey, Notre Dame
All-Big East team
Jeff Green, 6-9, 235, F, Jr., Georgetown — 13.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.2 bpg
Aaron Gray, 7-0, 270, C, Sr., Pittsburgh — 14.4 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg
Demetris Nichols, 6-8, 210, F, Sr., Syracuse — 18.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Herbert Hill, 6-10, 240, C, Sr., Providence — 18 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3 bpg
Dominic James, 5-11, 175, G, Soph., Marquette — 14.9 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3 rpg, 1.9 spg
Atlantic 10.
Team to beat: Xavier — The Musketeers played awful at the beginning of the year, but came on strong in February and may be one of the best teams in February. They have experience and seem to have gotten used to playing with transfer point guard Drew Lavender (Xavier would like to thank Oklahoma and Kelvin Sampson for leaving).
Sleeper: Duquesne — After the horrendous personal anguish to start this season who would have thought that Ron Everhart would have the Dukes playing well toward the middle of the season. Can they keep it going? You never know what adversity and passion can do.
Prediction: Xavier — Depth, balance and experience. These guys have been playing together for a while and should be able to get past UMass for the title. Although all of us in the "media" would love to see one more Xavier-UMass game...
Tournament Schedule
at Atlantic City, N.J. (Boardwalk Hall) All times EST
Wednesday, March 7 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Dayton vs. No. 9 Charlotte, noon
Game 2: No. 5 Fordham vs. No. 12 Richmond, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Saint Louis vs. No. 10 Duquesne, 6:30 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Saint Joseph's vs. No. 11 Temple, 9 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 Xavier vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 6: No. 4 Rhode Island vs. Game 2 winner, 2:30 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Massachusetts vs. Game 3 winner, 6:30 p.m. Game 8:
No. 3 George Washington vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 6:05 p.m.
Geeks's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Stephane Lasme, 6-8, F, Sr., UMass
Rookie of the Year: Robert Mitchell, 6-6, F, Fr., Duquesne
Coach of the Year: Sean Miller, Xavier
All-Atlantic 10 team
Stephane Lasme, 6-8, F, Sr., UMass — 13.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg
Rashaun Freeman, 6-9, C, Sr., UMass — 19.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg
Will Daniels, 6-8, F, Jr., Rhode Island — 17.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Justin Doellman, 6-9, F, Sr., Xavier — 13.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Ahmad Nivins, 6-9, F, Soph., Saint Joseph's — 16.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg
Team to beat: Georgetown — A ineffective and boring start to the season caused many to wonder about the boys from our nations capital, but John Thompson III got them to finish strong and wound up with the No. 1 seed thanks to the play of Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert and improved guard play from Jonathan Wallace and Jessie Sapp.
Sleeper: Marquette — Calling the Eagles a sleeper is a bit of a stretch since they are ranked, but they are the 6th seed. They have the best guards and since guards rule in March... (have I said that already)???
Prediction: Louisville. — Call me crazy. Call me stupid. Call me a geek. They are playing as well as ANYONE right now so why not. They are athletic, long and lean. If they hit on the perimeter, they can beat anyone... anynight.
Tournament Schedule
at New York, N.Y. (Madison Square Garden) All times EST
Wednesday, March 7 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 DePaul vs. No. 9 Villanova, noon
Game 2: No. 5 Syracuse vs. No. 12 Connecticut, 2 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 West Virginia vs. No. 10 Providence, 7 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Marquette vs. No. 11 St. John's, 9 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 Georgetown vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 6: No. 4 Notre Dame vs. Game 2 winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Louisville vs. Game 3 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 8: No. 3 Pittsburgh vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 9 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jeff Green, 6-9, 235, F, Jr., Georgetown
Rookie of the Year: Scottie Reynolds, 6-2, 195, G, Fr., Villanova
Coach of the Year: Mike Brey, Notre Dame
All-Big East team
Jeff Green, 6-9, 235, F, Jr., Georgetown — 13.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.2 bpg
Aaron Gray, 7-0, 270, C, Sr., Pittsburgh — 14.4 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg
Demetris Nichols, 6-8, 210, F, Sr., Syracuse — 18.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Herbert Hill, 6-10, 240, C, Sr., Providence — 18 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3 bpg
Dominic James, 5-11, 175, G, Soph., Marquette — 14.9 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3 rpg, 1.9 spg
Atlantic 10.
Team to beat: Xavier — The Musketeers played awful at the beginning of the year, but came on strong in February and may be one of the best teams in February. They have experience and seem to have gotten used to playing with transfer point guard Drew Lavender (Xavier would like to thank Oklahoma and Kelvin Sampson for leaving).
Sleeper: Duquesne — After the horrendous personal anguish to start this season who would have thought that Ron Everhart would have the Dukes playing well toward the middle of the season. Can they keep it going? You never know what adversity and passion can do.
Prediction: Xavier — Depth, balance and experience. These guys have been playing together for a while and should be able to get past UMass for the title. Although all of us in the "media" would love to see one more Xavier-UMass game...
Tournament Schedule
at Atlantic City, N.J. (Boardwalk Hall) All times EST
Wednesday, March 7 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Dayton vs. No. 9 Charlotte, noon
Game 2: No. 5 Fordham vs. No. 12 Richmond, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Saint Louis vs. No. 10 Duquesne, 6:30 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Saint Joseph's vs. No. 11 Temple, 9 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 Xavier vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 6: No. 4 Rhode Island vs. Game 2 winner, 2:30 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Massachusetts vs. Game 3 winner, 6:30 p.m. Game 8:
No. 3 George Washington vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 6:05 p.m.
Geeks's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Stephane Lasme, 6-8, F, Sr., UMass
Rookie of the Year: Robert Mitchell, 6-6, F, Fr., Duquesne
Coach of the Year: Sean Miller, Xavier
All-Atlantic 10 team
Stephane Lasme, 6-8, F, Sr., UMass — 13.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg
Rashaun Freeman, 6-9, C, Sr., UMass — 19.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg
Will Daniels, 6-8, F, Jr., Rhode Island — 17.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Justin Doellman, 6-9, F, Sr., Xavier — 13.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Ahmad Nivins, 6-9, F, Soph., Saint Joseph's — 16.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg
NCAA Conference Tournament Preview VI
Western Athletic
Team to beat: Nevada — Mark Fox's top three players can match up with just about anyone in the country. Nick Fazekas is a potential first-team All-American, and Marcelus Kemp and Ramon Sessions are both worthy of first-team all-league honors.
Sleeper: Utah State — Stew Morrill's team goes in as the No. 4 seed, but Utah State boasts the second-best player in the conference in Jaycee Carroll. and Stew Morrill has been a winner wherever he has coached.
Prediction: Nevada — While there are some quality teams in the conference (New Mexico State, Fresno and Utah State), the Wolf Pack are clearly the cream of the crop. WHile I am picking Nevada... I wouldnt be at all surprised to see New Mexico State (since it is on their home venue floor) or Utah State win this tournament
Tournament Schedule (all times MST)
at Las Cruces, N.M. (Pan American Center)
Tuesday, March 6 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 San Jose State vs. No. 9 Idaho, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 2: No. 1 Nevada vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 3: No. 4 Utah State vs. No. 5 Hawaii, 2:30 p.m.
Game 4: No. 3 Fresno State vs. No. 6 Boise State, 6 p.m.
Game 5: No. 2 New Mexico State vs. No. 7 Louisiana Tech, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 7: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 8: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 7 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Nick Fazekas, 6-11, 240, F, Sr., Nevada
Rookie of the Year: Anthony Thomas, 6-0, 200, G, Fr., Boise State
Coach of the Year: Mark Fox, Nevada
All-WAC team
Nick Fazekas, 6-11, 240, F, Sr., Nevada — 20.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg
Marcelus Kemp, 6-5, 210, G, Jr., Nevada — 18.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Jaycee Carroll, 6-2, 175, G, Jr., Utah State — 21 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Coby Karl, 6-4, 205, G, Sr., Boise State — 14.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.1 apg
Justin Hawkins, 6-5, 220, F, Jr., New Mexico State — 15.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg
Mountain West
Team to beat: BYU — While BYU is the top seed, this is probably the most wide-open of all the conference tournaments. BYU, UNLV, San Diego State and Air Force — the top four seeds — all have a realistic shot to win it.
Sleeper: Colorado State — The Rams have one of the league's best frontline players in Jason Smith. Dale Layer needs his team to do something or else his job is in jeopardy. Sometimes this helps, sometimes, it doesnt. If they win first game, they can be dangerous.
Prediction: Nevada-Las Vegas. Nothing says winning more than home courts. The MWC will be played at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. So with everything else equal (talent coaching, and records) The only difference is home court.
Tournament Schedule
at Las Vegas (Thomas and Mack Center) (all times MST)
Tuesday, March 6 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 TCU vs. No. 9 New Mexico, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 2: No. 1 BYU vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 3: No. 4 Air Force vs. No. 5 Wyoming, 2:30 p.m.
Game 4: No. 2 UNLV vs. No. 7 Utah, 6 p.m.
Game 5: No. 3 San Diego State vs. No. 6 Colorado State, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 7: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 8: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 4 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Keena Young, 6-6, 215, F, Sr., BYU
Rookie of the Year: Jonathan Tavernari, 6-6, 215, G/F, Fr., BYU
Coach of the Year: Dave Rose, BYU
All-Mountain West team
Keena Young, 6-6, 215, F, Sr., BYU — 17.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Jason Smith, 7-0, 240, F, Jr., Colorado State — 17 ppg, 10 rpg
Brandon Heath, 6-4, 200, G, Sr., San Diego State — 19.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.6 apg
Jacob Burtschi, 6-6, 225, F, Sr., Air Force — 13.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg
Wendell White, 6-5, 205, F, Sr., UNLV — 14.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Big West
Team to beat: Long Beach State — The 49ers have a veteran three-guard lineup that includes Player of the Year Aaron Nixon, Kejuan Johnson and Kevin Houston. Long Beach was 12-2 in league play and won its first regular-season league crown since 1996.
Sleeper: UCSB — The Gauchos boast Alex Harris, one of the top guards in the conference. Santa Barbara is the No. 4 seed and finished 9-5 in conference play.
Prediction: Long Beach State. In March, the guards rule. The three guard offense ran off 12 victories in 14 league games. The two losses were combined 11 points. That is almost complete domination. The other 7 havent figured it out yet either.
Schedule
at Anaheim, CA (Anaheim Convention Center)
Wednesday, March 7 — First round
Game 1: No. 5 UC-Irvine vs. No. 8 UC-Riverside, 6 p.m. PT
Game 2: No. 6 Cal State Northridge vs. No. 7 Pacific, 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 3: No. 3 Cal State Fullerton vs. lowest remaining seed, 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 4 UC Santa Barbara vs. highest remaining seed, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 5: No. 1 Long Beach State vs. lowest remaining seed, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: No. 2 Cal Poly vs. highest remaining seed, 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 7: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 8 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Aaron Nixon, 6-2, 220, G, Sr., Long Beach State
Rookie of the Year: Henrik Thomsen, 6-8, 200, G/F, Fr., UC Riverside
Coach of the Year: Larry Reynolds, Long Beach State
All-Big West team
Aaron Nixon, 6-2, 220, G, Sr., Long Beach State — 18.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.1 apg
Bobby Brown, 6-2, 175, G, Sr., Cal State Fullerton — 20.2 ppg, 5.2 apg
Alex Harris, 6-6, 185, G, Jr., UCSB — 21 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Kejuan Johnson, 6-4, 195, G, Sr., Long Beach State — 15.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.6 apg
Derek Stockalper, 6-5, 220, G/F, Sr., Cal Poly — 14.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg
Team to beat: Nevada — Mark Fox's top three players can match up with just about anyone in the country. Nick Fazekas is a potential first-team All-American, and Marcelus Kemp and Ramon Sessions are both worthy of first-team all-league honors.
Sleeper: Utah State — Stew Morrill's team goes in as the No. 4 seed, but Utah State boasts the second-best player in the conference in Jaycee Carroll. and Stew Morrill has been a winner wherever he has coached.
Prediction: Nevada — While there are some quality teams in the conference (New Mexico State, Fresno and Utah State), the Wolf Pack are clearly the cream of the crop. WHile I am picking Nevada... I wouldnt be at all surprised to see New Mexico State (since it is on their home venue floor) or Utah State win this tournament
Tournament Schedule (all times MST)
at Las Cruces, N.M. (Pan American Center)
Tuesday, March 6 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 San Jose State vs. No. 9 Idaho, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 2: No. 1 Nevada vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 3: No. 4 Utah State vs. No. 5 Hawaii, 2:30 p.m.
Game 4: No. 3 Fresno State vs. No. 6 Boise State, 6 p.m.
Game 5: No. 2 New Mexico State vs. No. 7 Louisiana Tech, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 7: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 8: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 7 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Nick Fazekas, 6-11, 240, F, Sr., Nevada
Rookie of the Year: Anthony Thomas, 6-0, 200, G, Fr., Boise State
Coach of the Year: Mark Fox, Nevada
All-WAC team
Nick Fazekas, 6-11, 240, F, Sr., Nevada — 20.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg
Marcelus Kemp, 6-5, 210, G, Jr., Nevada — 18.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Jaycee Carroll, 6-2, 175, G, Jr., Utah State — 21 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Coby Karl, 6-4, 205, G, Sr., Boise State — 14.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.1 apg
Justin Hawkins, 6-5, 220, F, Jr., New Mexico State — 15.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg
Mountain West
Team to beat: BYU — While BYU is the top seed, this is probably the most wide-open of all the conference tournaments. BYU, UNLV, San Diego State and Air Force — the top four seeds — all have a realistic shot to win it.
Sleeper: Colorado State — The Rams have one of the league's best frontline players in Jason Smith. Dale Layer needs his team to do something or else his job is in jeopardy. Sometimes this helps, sometimes, it doesnt. If they win first game, they can be dangerous.
Prediction: Nevada-Las Vegas. Nothing says winning more than home courts. The MWC will be played at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. So with everything else equal (talent coaching, and records) The only difference is home court.
Tournament Schedule
at Las Vegas (Thomas and Mack Center) (all times MST)
Tuesday, March 6 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 TCU vs. No. 9 New Mexico, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 2: No. 1 BYU vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 3: No. 4 Air Force vs. No. 5 Wyoming, 2:30 p.m.
Game 4: No. 2 UNLV vs. No. 7 Utah, 6 p.m.
Game 5: No. 3 San Diego State vs. No. 6 Colorado State, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 7: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 8: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 4 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Keena Young, 6-6, 215, F, Sr., BYU
Rookie of the Year: Jonathan Tavernari, 6-6, 215, G/F, Fr., BYU
Coach of the Year: Dave Rose, BYU
All-Mountain West team
Keena Young, 6-6, 215, F, Sr., BYU — 17.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Jason Smith, 7-0, 240, F, Jr., Colorado State — 17 ppg, 10 rpg
Brandon Heath, 6-4, 200, G, Sr., San Diego State — 19.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.6 apg
Jacob Burtschi, 6-6, 225, F, Sr., Air Force — 13.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg
Wendell White, 6-5, 205, F, Sr., UNLV — 14.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Big West
Team to beat: Long Beach State — The 49ers have a veteran three-guard lineup that includes Player of the Year Aaron Nixon, Kejuan Johnson and Kevin Houston. Long Beach was 12-2 in league play and won its first regular-season league crown since 1996.
Sleeper: UCSB — The Gauchos boast Alex Harris, one of the top guards in the conference. Santa Barbara is the No. 4 seed and finished 9-5 in conference play.
Prediction: Long Beach State. In March, the guards rule. The three guard offense ran off 12 victories in 14 league games. The two losses were combined 11 points. That is almost complete domination. The other 7 havent figured it out yet either.
Schedule
at Anaheim, CA (Anaheim Convention Center)
Wednesday, March 7 — First round
Game 1: No. 5 UC-Irvine vs. No. 8 UC-Riverside, 6 p.m. PT
Game 2: No. 6 Cal State Northridge vs. No. 7 Pacific, 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 3: No. 3 Cal State Fullerton vs. lowest remaining seed, 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 4 UC Santa Barbara vs. highest remaining seed, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 5: No. 1 Long Beach State vs. lowest remaining seed, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: No. 2 Cal Poly vs. highest remaining seed, 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 7: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 8 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Aaron Nixon, 6-2, 220, G, Sr., Long Beach State
Rookie of the Year: Henrik Thomsen, 6-8, 200, G/F, Fr., UC Riverside
Coach of the Year: Larry Reynolds, Long Beach State
All-Big West team
Aaron Nixon, 6-2, 220, G, Sr., Long Beach State — 18.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.1 apg
Bobby Brown, 6-2, 175, G, Sr., Cal State Fullerton — 20.2 ppg, 5.2 apg
Alex Harris, 6-6, 185, G, Jr., UCSB — 21 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Kejuan Johnson, 6-4, 195, G, Sr., Long Beach State — 15.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.6 apg
Derek Stockalper, 6-5, 220, G/F, Sr., Cal Poly — 14.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg
Monday, March 5, 2007
NCAA Conference Tournament Preview V
Mid-Continent Conference
Team to beat: Oral Roberts — Caleb Green has been the best player in the league for the past three years and he and fellow senior Ken Tutt comprise a deadly 1-2 punch. It'll be hard to imagine anyone knocking these guys off after they went 12-2 in league play.
Sleeper:Missouri-Kansas City. The Kangaroos have just the right balance, that if they are hitting they can cause problems...
Prediction: Oral Roberts — Oakland has a chance, but we're going with experience and talent and that means we're taking Oral Roberts and Caleb Green.
Tournament Schedule
Saturday March 3, quarterfinals at John Q. Hammonds Arena, Tulsa, Okla.
No. 1 Oral Roberts vs. No. 8 Centenary, 7 p.m. ET
No. 2 Oakland vs. No. 7 Western Illinois, 9:30 p.m. ET
Sunday March 4, quarterfinals
No. 4 IUPUI vs. No. 5 Southern Utah, 7 p.m. ET
No. 3 Valparaiso vs. No. 6 University of Missouri-Kansas City, 9:30 p.m. ET
Monday March 5, semifinals
No.1/No. 8 winner vs. No. 4/No. 5 winner, 7 p.m. ET
No. 2/No. 7 winner vs. No. 3/No. 6 winner, 9:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday March 6, championship 7 p.m. ET ESPN
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Caleb Green, 6-8, 255, F, Sr., Oral Roberts
Rookie of the Year: Johnathon Jones, 6-0, 160, G, Fr., Oakland
Coach of the Year: Greg Kampe, Oakland
All-Mid Continent Conference team
Caleb Green, 6-8, 255, F, Sr., Oral Roberts — 20.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg
Quinton Day, 6-1, 180, G, Sr., UMKC — 14.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.1 apg
Steve Barnes, 5-10, 165, G, Sr., Southern Utah — 11.9 ppg, 6 apg, 3.4 rpg
Ken Tutt, 6-1, 200, G, Sr., Oral Roberts — 14.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.9 apg
Vova Severovas, 6-6, 225, F, Sr., Oakland — 16 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Mid Eastern Conference
Team to beat: Delaware State — The Hornets went 16-2 in conference play, finished with a seven-game winning streak and boast two of the league's top players in Jahsha Blountt and Roy Bright.
Sleeper: Morgan State. The Bears have the most balanced team. They may not have the most talented players in the conference but they do have the most balance and all their players can play.
Prediction: Delaware State — Roy Bright played at Cincinnati and Jahsha Blountt is good enough to play for anyone anywhere. AND Greg Jackson is evolving into one of the games better tacticians. I will be very surprised if the Hornets dont win it ... easily.
Tournament Schedule
at RBC Center (Raleigh, N.C.)
Tuesday, March 6 — First round
Game 1: No. 7 Hampton vs. No. 10 Howard, 6:30 p.m.
Game 2: No. 8 Coppin State vs. No. 9 Bethune-Cookman, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7 — First round/Quarterfinals
Game 3: No. 6 Norfolk State vs. No. 11 Maryland-Eastern Shore, 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 1 Delaware State vs. Game 2 winner, 8 p.m.
Game 5: No. 2 Florida A&M vs. Game 1 winner, 10 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 6: No. 3 North Carolina A&T vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 7: No. 4 South Carolina State vs. No. 5 Morgan State, 8 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6 p.m. ESPN2
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jahsha Bluntt, 6-6, 220, G, Sr., Delaware State
Rookie of the Year: Mike Freeman, 6-8, 220, F, Fr., Hampton
Coach of the Year: Greg Jackson, Delaware State
All-MEAC team
Jahsha Bluntt, 6-6, 220, G, Sr., Delaware State — 15.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Tywain McKee, 6-2, 180, G, Jr., Coppin State — 17.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.1 apg
Steven Rush, 5-11, 170, G, Jr., N.C. A&T — 16.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Rome Sanders, 6-8, 240, C, Sr., Florida A&M — 16.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Rashad West, 6-1, 175, G, Jr., Hampton — 17.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.7
Southland Conference
Team to beat: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi — The Islanders won the regular-season title in their first year in the conference. Coach Ronnie Arrow (who happens to be one of my favorite coaches who never gets any press) and his team went 23-6 overall and 14-2 in Southland play and earned the No. 1 seed IN THEIR FIRST ELIGIBLE FOR THE TITLE. They have a quality guard in Josh Washington and a pair of the league's best frontline players in 7-footer Chris Daniels and 6-7 power forward Manuel "Scooby" Johnson. Now who wouldnt root for a team with a player named "Scooby"?
Sleeper: McNeese State — Joe Dumars may not be walking through the door, but John Ford will be — and the junior guard is one of the best players in the league.
Prediction: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi — It's tough to match up with any team with a guy named Scooby.
Tournament Schedule
At Houston, Texas (Campbell Center)
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 1: No. 2 Sam Houston State vs. No. 7 Lamar, noon CT
Game 2: No. 3 Northwestern State vs. No. 6 Stephen F. Austin, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: No. 1 Texas A&M-CC vs. No. 8 Southeastern La., 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 4 McNeese State vs. No. 5. UT-Arlington, 8:30 p.m.
Friday March 9 - Semi-Finals
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 1 p.m. ESPN
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Chris Daniels, 7-0, 265, C, Sr., Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Rookie of the Year: Roger Guignard, 5-10, 160, G, Fr., Texas-Arlington
Coach of the Year: Ronnie Arrow, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
All-Southland team
Chris Daniels, 7-0, 265, C, Sr., Texas A&M-Corpus Christi — 15.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Ryan Bright, 6-6, 210, F, Jr., Sam Houston — 14.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.7 spg
Stefan Blaszczynski, 6-5, 215, G, Sr., Nicholls State — 19.2 ppg, 7 rpg, 3.2 apg
James Davis, 7-1, 340, C, Jr., Lamar — 15.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg
Luke Rogers, 6-1, 190, G, Sr., Northwestern State — 13.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3 apg
Team to beat: Oral Roberts — Caleb Green has been the best player in the league for the past three years and he and fellow senior Ken Tutt comprise a deadly 1-2 punch. It'll be hard to imagine anyone knocking these guys off after they went 12-2 in league play.
Sleeper:Missouri-Kansas City. The Kangaroos have just the right balance, that if they are hitting they can cause problems...
Prediction: Oral Roberts — Oakland has a chance, but we're going with experience and talent and that means we're taking Oral Roberts and Caleb Green.
Tournament Schedule
Saturday March 3, quarterfinals at John Q. Hammonds Arena, Tulsa, Okla.
No. 1 Oral Roberts vs. No. 8 Centenary, 7 p.m. ET
No. 2 Oakland vs. No. 7 Western Illinois, 9:30 p.m. ET
Sunday March 4, quarterfinals
No. 4 IUPUI vs. No. 5 Southern Utah, 7 p.m. ET
No. 3 Valparaiso vs. No. 6 University of Missouri-Kansas City, 9:30 p.m. ET
Monday March 5, semifinals
No.1/No. 8 winner vs. No. 4/No. 5 winner, 7 p.m. ET
No. 2/No. 7 winner vs. No. 3/No. 6 winner, 9:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday March 6, championship 7 p.m. ET ESPN
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Caleb Green, 6-8, 255, F, Sr., Oral Roberts
Rookie of the Year: Johnathon Jones, 6-0, 160, G, Fr., Oakland
Coach of the Year: Greg Kampe, Oakland
All-Mid Continent Conference team
Caleb Green, 6-8, 255, F, Sr., Oral Roberts — 20.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg
Quinton Day, 6-1, 180, G, Sr., UMKC — 14.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.1 apg
Steve Barnes, 5-10, 165, G, Sr., Southern Utah — 11.9 ppg, 6 apg, 3.4 rpg
Ken Tutt, 6-1, 200, G, Sr., Oral Roberts — 14.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.9 apg
Vova Severovas, 6-6, 225, F, Sr., Oakland — 16 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Mid Eastern Conference
Team to beat: Delaware State — The Hornets went 16-2 in conference play, finished with a seven-game winning streak and boast two of the league's top players in Jahsha Blountt and Roy Bright.
Sleeper: Morgan State. The Bears have the most balanced team. They may not have the most talented players in the conference but they do have the most balance and all their players can play.
Prediction: Delaware State — Roy Bright played at Cincinnati and Jahsha Blountt is good enough to play for anyone anywhere. AND Greg Jackson is evolving into one of the games better tacticians. I will be very surprised if the Hornets dont win it ... easily.
Tournament Schedule
at RBC Center (Raleigh, N.C.)
Tuesday, March 6 — First round
Game 1: No. 7 Hampton vs. No. 10 Howard, 6:30 p.m.
Game 2: No. 8 Coppin State vs. No. 9 Bethune-Cookman, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7 — First round/Quarterfinals
Game 3: No. 6 Norfolk State vs. No. 11 Maryland-Eastern Shore, 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 1 Delaware State vs. Game 2 winner, 8 p.m.
Game 5: No. 2 Florida A&M vs. Game 1 winner, 10 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 6: No. 3 North Carolina A&T vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 7: No. 4 South Carolina State vs. No. 5 Morgan State, 8 p.m.
Friday, March 9 — Semifinals
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 — Championship
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6 p.m. ESPN2
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jahsha Bluntt, 6-6, 220, G, Sr., Delaware State
Rookie of the Year: Mike Freeman, 6-8, 220, F, Fr., Hampton
Coach of the Year: Greg Jackson, Delaware State
All-MEAC team
Jahsha Bluntt, 6-6, 220, G, Sr., Delaware State — 15.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Tywain McKee, 6-2, 180, G, Jr., Coppin State — 17.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.1 apg
Steven Rush, 5-11, 170, G, Jr., N.C. A&T — 16.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Rome Sanders, 6-8, 240, C, Sr., Florida A&M — 16.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Rashad West, 6-1, 175, G, Jr., Hampton — 17.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.7
Southland Conference
Team to beat: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi — The Islanders won the regular-season title in their first year in the conference. Coach Ronnie Arrow (who happens to be one of my favorite coaches who never gets any press) and his team went 23-6 overall and 14-2 in Southland play and earned the No. 1 seed IN THEIR FIRST ELIGIBLE FOR THE TITLE. They have a quality guard in Josh Washington and a pair of the league's best frontline players in 7-footer Chris Daniels and 6-7 power forward Manuel "Scooby" Johnson. Now who wouldnt root for a team with a player named "Scooby"?
Sleeper: McNeese State — Joe Dumars may not be walking through the door, but John Ford will be — and the junior guard is one of the best players in the league.
Prediction: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi — It's tough to match up with any team with a guy named Scooby.
Tournament Schedule
At Houston, Texas (Campbell Center)
Thursday, March 8 — Quarterfinals
Game 1: No. 2 Sam Houston State vs. No. 7 Lamar, noon CT
Game 2: No. 3 Northwestern State vs. No. 6 Stephen F. Austin, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: No. 1 Texas A&M-CC vs. No. 8 Southeastern La., 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 4 McNeese State vs. No. 5. UT-Arlington, 8:30 p.m.
Friday March 9 - Semi-Finals
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 1 p.m. ESPN
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Chris Daniels, 7-0, 265, C, Sr., Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Rookie of the Year: Roger Guignard, 5-10, 160, G, Fr., Texas-Arlington
Coach of the Year: Ronnie Arrow, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
All-Southland team
Chris Daniels, 7-0, 265, C, Sr., Texas A&M-Corpus Christi — 15.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Ryan Bright, 6-6, 210, F, Jr., Sam Houston — 14.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.7 spg
Stefan Blaszczynski, 6-5, 215, G, Sr., Nicholls State — 19.2 ppg, 7 rpg, 3.2 apg
James Davis, 7-1, 340, C, Jr., Lamar — 15.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg
Luke Rogers, 6-1, 190, G, Sr., Northwestern State — 13.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3 apg
Friday, March 2, 2007
Conference Preview IV (West Coast and Big Sky)
West Coast
Team to beat: Gonzaga — Even without Josh Heytvelt, the Zags are still the favorite to win the conference tourney after claiming their seventh straight regular-season title. Mark Few's team has plenty on the line since they haven't secured an NCAA tournament bid entering the WCC tournament – as has been the case in the past. The good news is the Zags get a bye until the semifinals.
Sleeper: Saint Mary's — Randy Bennett is one of the more underrated coaches in the country and he's got some talent in Diamon Simpson, Brett Collins and my freshman of the year, Omar Samhan.
Prediction: Santa Clara. Dick Davey is retiring at the end of the year and the surfer boys might just have enough talent and savvy to pull it off for him.
Schedule
Friday, March 2
Game 1: No. 5 San Diego vs. No. 8 Pepperdine, 5:30 p.m. PT Game 2: No. 6 Loyola Marymount vs. No. 7 Portland, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 3
Game 3: San Diego/Pepperdine winner vs. No. 4 San Francisco, 6:00 p.m. Game 4: Loyola Marymount/Portland winner vs. No. 3 Saint Mary's, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 4
Game 5: San Diego/Pepperdine/San Francisco vs. No. 1 Gonzaga, 6:30 p.m. Game 6: Loyola Marymount/Portland/Saint Mary's vs. No. 2 Santa Clara, 8:30 p.m.
Monday, March 5
Game 5: Championship game, 6 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jeremy Pargo, 6-2, 220, G, Soph., Gonzaga Rookie of the Year: Omar Samhan, 6-11, 265, C, Fr., St. Mary's Coach of the Year: Dick Davey, Santa Clara
All-West Coast team
Jeremy Pargo, 6-2, 220, G, Soph., Gonzaga — 12.5 ppg, 4.7 apg, 4.5 rpg Sean Denison, 6-11, 245, C, Sr., Santa Clara — 10.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg Derek Raivio, 6-3, 180, G, Sr., Gonzaga — 18 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.5 apg Diamon Simpson, 6-7, 200, F, Soph., St. Mary's — 14.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg Alan Wiggins, 6-9, 225, F, Sr., San Francisco — 14.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg
Big Sky
Team to beat: Weber State — It is hard to go against Randy Rahe and the Weber State Wildcats. Patten has NBA talent. Their guards are solid and don’t make mistakes. Juan Pablo Silveira could be the new darling of the media for the NCAA tourney. They will have the home court advantage.
Sleeper: Montana — One of the perennial powers is having an off year, for them. They however, do have the prestige and history. And sometimes, that does help.
Prediction: Weber State. Randy’s ball club has just too much talent and is rested from the season schedule.
Schedule (all games at the higher seeds venue)
Saturday, March 3
Game 3: #5 Montana State vs. No. 4 Portland State, 6:00 p.m. Game 4: #6 Idaho State vs. No. 3 Montana, 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6
Game 5: Idaho State (if they win) or the winner of 4/5 Matchup vs. No. 1 Weber State, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: Montana Or Montana State/Portland State winner if Idaho State wins vs. No. 2 Northern Arizona, 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7
Game 5: Championship game, 9 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks (the geek wimped out and chose 6 because he couldn’t decide).
David Patten 6’8” 212 F, Sr - Weber State 14.1 PPG. 8.2 RPG, 3.1 BPG, 2.2 APG 2.3 SPG
Ruben Boykin, 6’7” 200 PF, Northern Arizona 16.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.8 BPG. 2.2 APG
Rodney Stuckey 6’4” 205 WF Soph – Eastern Washington 25.4 PPG, 5.6 APG 2.5 SPG
David Schroeder, 6’2” 180 SG Sr. Idaho State, 16.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.5 APG
Jordan Hasquet, 6’8” 218 F Sr. Montana, 13.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG
Tyrone Bazy, 6’1” 165 G Sr. Northern Arizona 16.1 PPG, 2.3 SPG, 2.4 APG
Team to beat: Gonzaga — Even without Josh Heytvelt, the Zags are still the favorite to win the conference tourney after claiming their seventh straight regular-season title. Mark Few's team has plenty on the line since they haven't secured an NCAA tournament bid entering the WCC tournament – as has been the case in the past. The good news is the Zags get a bye until the semifinals.
Sleeper: Saint Mary's — Randy Bennett is one of the more underrated coaches in the country and he's got some talent in Diamon Simpson, Brett Collins and my freshman of the year, Omar Samhan.
Prediction: Santa Clara. Dick Davey is retiring at the end of the year and the surfer boys might just have enough talent and savvy to pull it off for him.
Schedule
Friday, March 2
Game 1: No. 5 San Diego vs. No. 8 Pepperdine, 5:30 p.m. PT Game 2: No. 6 Loyola Marymount vs. No. 7 Portland, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 3
Game 3: San Diego/Pepperdine winner vs. No. 4 San Francisco, 6:00 p.m. Game 4: Loyola Marymount/Portland winner vs. No. 3 Saint Mary's, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 4
Game 5: San Diego/Pepperdine/San Francisco vs. No. 1 Gonzaga, 6:30 p.m. Game 6: Loyola Marymount/Portland/Saint Mary's vs. No. 2 Santa Clara, 8:30 p.m.
Monday, March 5
Game 5: Championship game, 6 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jeremy Pargo, 6-2, 220, G, Soph., Gonzaga Rookie of the Year: Omar Samhan, 6-11, 265, C, Fr., St. Mary's Coach of the Year: Dick Davey, Santa Clara
All-West Coast team
Jeremy Pargo, 6-2, 220, G, Soph., Gonzaga — 12.5 ppg, 4.7 apg, 4.5 rpg Sean Denison, 6-11, 245, C, Sr., Santa Clara — 10.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg Derek Raivio, 6-3, 180, G, Sr., Gonzaga — 18 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.5 apg Diamon Simpson, 6-7, 200, F, Soph., St. Mary's — 14.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg Alan Wiggins, 6-9, 225, F, Sr., San Francisco — 14.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg
Big Sky
Team to beat: Weber State — It is hard to go against Randy Rahe and the Weber State Wildcats. Patten has NBA talent. Their guards are solid and don’t make mistakes. Juan Pablo Silveira could be the new darling of the media for the NCAA tourney. They will have the home court advantage.
Sleeper: Montana — One of the perennial powers is having an off year, for them. They however, do have the prestige and history. And sometimes, that does help.
Prediction: Weber State. Randy’s ball club has just too much talent and is rested from the season schedule.
Schedule (all games at the higher seeds venue)
Saturday, March 3
Game 3: #5 Montana State vs. No. 4 Portland State, 6:00 p.m. Game 4: #6 Idaho State vs. No. 3 Montana, 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6
Game 5: Idaho State (if they win) or the winner of 4/5 Matchup vs. No. 1 Weber State, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: Montana Or Montana State/Portland State winner if Idaho State wins vs. No. 2 Northern Arizona, 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7
Game 5: Championship game, 9 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks (the geek wimped out and chose 6 because he couldn’t decide).
David Patten 6’8” 212 F, Sr - Weber State 14.1 PPG. 8.2 RPG, 3.1 BPG, 2.2 APG 2.3 SPG
Ruben Boykin, 6’7” 200 PF, Northern Arizona 16.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.8 BPG. 2.2 APG
Rodney Stuckey 6’4” 205 WF Soph – Eastern Washington 25.4 PPG, 5.6 APG 2.5 SPG
David Schroeder, 6’2” 180 SG Sr. Idaho State, 16.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.5 APG
Jordan Hasquet, 6’8” 218 F Sr. Montana, 13.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG
Tyrone Bazy, 6’1” 165 G Sr. Northern Arizona 16.1 PPG, 2.3 SPG, 2.4 APG
Conference Tournament Preview III (Northeast, Missouri Valley and Metro Atlantic)
Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference
Team to beat: Marist — When you've got the nation's assist leader and a potential NBA guy at this level with Jared Jordan, the Red Foxes have to be the favorite. Matt Brady's team won the MAAC regular-season title for the first time in school history and set a school-record this season with 23 wins.
Sleeper: Loyola — Former Maryland assistant Jimmy Patsos has plenty of talent with former Providence wing Gerald Brown sophomore guard Marquis Sullivan. He's also got former Notre Dame forward Omari Israel.
Prediction: Marist — It's hard to go against a player like Jared Jordan.
Side Note – This tournament will be played at one of the newest and COOLEST arenas I have seen (on the internet mind you) in some time. The Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, CT.
Schedule
Friday, March 2 (Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, CT)
Game 1: No. 8 Canisius vs. No. 9 Saint Peter's, 7:30 p.m. ET Game 2: No. 7 Rider vs. No. 10 Iona, 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 — Quarterfinals (Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, CT)
Game 3: No. 4 Siena vs. No. 5 Manhattan, 2 p.m. Game 4: No. 1 Marist vs. Game 1 winner, 4 p.m. Game 5: No. 2 Niagara vs. Game 2 winner, 7:30 p.m. Game 6: No. 3 Loyola vs. No. 6 Fairfield, 10 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 — Semifinals (Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, CT)
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6 p.m. Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 8 p.m.
Monday, March 5 — Championship (at highest remaining seed)
Game 9: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 9 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jared Jordan, 6-2, 185, G, Sr., Marist Rookie of the Year: Edwin Ubiles, 6-7, 195, F, Fr., Siena Coach of the Year: Ed Cooley, Fairfield
All-Metro Atlantic team
Jared Jordan, 6-2, 185, G, Sr., Marist — 17.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 8.9 apg Jason Thompson, 6-11, 245, F, Jr., Rider — 19.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.2 bpg Gerald Brown, 6-4, 195, G, Jr., Loyola (Md.) — 22.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.6 apg Charron Fisher, 6-3, 230, F, Jr., Niagara — 21.8 ppg, 8 rpg Michael Haddix, 6-6, 255, F, Sr., Siena — 16.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg
Team to beat: Marist — When you've got the nation's assist leader and a potential NBA guy at this level with Jared Jordan, the Red Foxes have to be the favorite. Matt Brady's team won the MAAC regular-season title for the first time in school history and set a school-record this season with 23 wins.
Sleeper: Loyola — Former Maryland assistant Jimmy Patsos has plenty of talent with former Providence wing Gerald Brown sophomore guard Marquis Sullivan. He's also got former Notre Dame forward Omari Israel.
Prediction: Marist — It's hard to go against a player like Jared Jordan.
Side Note – This tournament will be played at one of the newest and COOLEST arenas I have seen (on the internet mind you) in some time. The Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, CT.
Schedule
Friday, March 2 (Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, CT)
Game 1: No. 8 Canisius vs. No. 9 Saint Peter's, 7:30 p.m. ET Game 2: No. 7 Rider vs. No. 10 Iona, 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 — Quarterfinals (Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, CT)
Game 3: No. 4 Siena vs. No. 5 Manhattan, 2 p.m. Game 4: No. 1 Marist vs. Game 1 winner, 4 p.m. Game 5: No. 2 Niagara vs. Game 2 winner, 7:30 p.m. Game 6: No. 3 Loyola vs. No. 6 Fairfield, 10 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 — Semifinals (Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, CT)
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6 p.m. Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 8 p.m.
Monday, March 5 — Championship (at highest remaining seed)
Game 9: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 9 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jared Jordan, 6-2, 185, G, Sr., Marist Rookie of the Year: Edwin Ubiles, 6-7, 195, F, Fr., Siena Coach of the Year: Ed Cooley, Fairfield
All-Metro Atlantic team
Jared Jordan, 6-2, 185, G, Sr., Marist — 17.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 8.9 apg Jason Thompson, 6-11, 245, F, Jr., Rider — 19.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.2 bpg Gerald Brown, 6-4, 195, G, Jr., Loyola (Md.) — 22.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.6 apg Charron Fisher, 6-3, 230, F, Jr., Niagara — 21.8 ppg, 8 rpg Michael Haddix, 6-6, 255, F, Sr., Siena — 16.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg
Missouri Valley
This conference is quickly becoming one of the elite conferences. Wichita State made its run last season and Southern Illinois is primed to do it again.
Team to beat: Southern Illinois — Chris Lowery's club separated itself from the rest of the pack in the second half when they closed out the regular-season with its 11th straight win. The Salukis are one of the top defensive teams in the country and have balance. They finished the season 25-5 and 15-3 in one of the toughest leagues in the nation. Their defense is very reminiscent of Georgetown teams from the early 80’s.
Sleeper: Hard to say it for they were once in the top 10… but Wichita State — The Shockers started out the season with eight wins against some decent competition on the road before going through a rough stretch. Mark Turgeon's team hasn't been able to establish enough consistency. However, Wichita State is more than capable of winning three straight games and running the table.
Prediction: I hate to do this but… Creighton — Dana Altman's team needs this — more than Southern Illinois. The Salukis are already in the Big Dance while Creighton may still need to do a little more work to convince the committee. Point guard Josh Dotzler is finally healthy, which means Nate Funk can slide back over to the shooting guard spot. Usually when a team is backed up against the wall they usually produce. And Dana can get that part done.
Schedule — All games in St. Louis
Thursday, March 1 — Preliminaries
Game 1: No. 8 Evansville vs. No. 9 Drake, 7:05 PM ET Game 2: No. 7 Illinois St. vs. No. 10 Indiana St. 9:35 p.m. ET
Friday, March 2 — Quarterfinals Game 3: No. 1 So. Illinois vs. Game 1 winner, 7 p.m. ET Game 4: No. 4 Bradley vs. Northern Iowa, 3:35 p.m. ET Game 5: No. 2 Creighton vs. Game 2 winner, 7:05 p.m. Game 6: No. 3 Missouri St. vs. No. 2 Wichita St., 9 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 3 — Semifinals
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 2:35 p.m. ET Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 5:05 p.m. ET
Sunday, March 4 — Finals
Game 9: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 2:05 p.m. ET
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Jamaal Tatum, 6-2, 175, G, Sr., Southern Illinois Rookie of the Year: Osiris Eldridge, 6-3, 190, G, Fr., Illinois State Coach of the Year: Chris Lowery, Southern Illinois
All-Missouri Valley team
Jamaal Tatum, 6-2, 175, G, Sr., Southern Illinois — 14.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 spg Randal Falker, 6-7, 235, F, Jr., Southern Illinois — 13.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.1 bpg Nate Funk, 6-3, 195, G, Sr., Creighton — 17.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg Anthony Tolliver, 6-9, 245, C, Sr., Creighton — 13.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 bpg Daniel Ruffin, 5-10, 165, Jr., G, Bradley — 14.1 ppg, 5.6 apg
Northeast Conference
Team to beat: Central Connecticut — Howie Dickenman has three of the league's top 10 players in Obie Nwadike, Javier Mojica and Tristan Blackwood. The Blue Devils are the top seed and will have homecourt advantage throughout, which doesn't bode well for everyone else. CCSU has won 17 straight regular-season games on its home court.
Sleeper: Quinnipiac — The Braves earned the No. 3 seed and are playing as good as anyone not named Central Connecticut. They take care of the ball and also play well on the road.
Prediction: Central Connecticut — No one should knock Dickenman & Co. off because of the homecourt advantage and the talent. The Blue Devils should be headed to the Big Dance and a probable meeting with the #1 seed in the East (East Rutherford) Regional.
Schedule
Thursday, March 1 (campus sites of top four seeds)
Game 1: No. 8 St. Francis at No. 1 Central Connecticut St., 7 p.m. ET Game 2: No. 7 Wagner at No. 2 Sacred Heart, 7 p.m. ET Game 3: No. 6 Farleigh Dickinson at No. 3 Quinnipiac, 7 p.m. ET Game 4: No. 5 Mount Saint Mary's at No. 4 Robert Morris, 7 p.m. ET
Sunday, March 4 — Semifinals
Game 5: Lowest remaining seed at highest remaining seed, 4 p.m. ET or TBA Game 6: Third highest remaining seed at second highest remaining seed, 4 p.m. ET or TBA
Wednesday, March 7 — Championship (at highest remaining seed), 7 p.m. ET
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Obie Nwadike, 6-4, 225, F, Sr., Central Connecticut Rookie of the Year: Jeremy Goode, 5-9, 175, G, Fr., Mount St. Mary's Coach of the Year: Howie Dickenman, Central Connecticut
All-Northeast team
Obie Nwadike, 6-4, 225, F, Sr., Central Connecticut — 14.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg Andre Harris, 6-7, 230, F, Sr., Farleigh Dickinson — 18.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.3 spg, 1.2 bpg Javier Mojica, 6-3, 180, G, Sr., Central Connecticut — 16.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg A.J. Jackson, 6-6, 230, F, Sr., Robert Morris — 16.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg DeMario Anderson, 6-4, 205, G, Jr., Quinnipiac — 15.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Sleeper: Quinnipiac — The Braves earned the No. 3 seed and are playing as good as anyone not named Central Connecticut. They take care of the ball and also play well on the road.
Prediction: Central Connecticut — No one should knock Dickenman & Co. off because of the homecourt advantage and the talent. The Blue Devils should be headed to the Big Dance and a probable meeting with the #1 seed in the East (East Rutherford) Regional.
Schedule
Thursday, March 1 (campus sites of top four seeds)
Game 1: No. 8 St. Francis at No. 1 Central Connecticut St., 7 p.m. ET Game 2: No. 7 Wagner at No. 2 Sacred Heart, 7 p.m. ET Game 3: No. 6 Farleigh Dickinson at No. 3 Quinnipiac, 7 p.m. ET Game 4: No. 5 Mount Saint Mary's at No. 4 Robert Morris, 7 p.m. ET
Sunday, March 4 — Semifinals
Game 5: Lowest remaining seed at highest remaining seed, 4 p.m. ET or TBA Game 6: Third highest remaining seed at second highest remaining seed, 4 p.m. ET or TBA
Wednesday, March 7 — Championship (at highest remaining seed), 7 p.m. ET
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Obie Nwadike, 6-4, 225, F, Sr., Central Connecticut Rookie of the Year: Jeremy Goode, 5-9, 175, G, Fr., Mount St. Mary's Coach of the Year: Howie Dickenman, Central Connecticut
All-Northeast team
Obie Nwadike, 6-4, 225, F, Sr., Central Connecticut — 14.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg Andre Harris, 6-7, 230, F, Sr., Farleigh Dickinson — 18.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.3 spg, 1.2 bpg Javier Mojica, 6-3, 180, G, Sr., Central Connecticut — 16.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg A.J. Jackson, 6-6, 230, F, Sr., Robert Morris — 16.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg DeMario Anderson, 6-4, 205, G, Jr., Quinnipiac — 15.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Conference Tournament Previews II (Horizon, Colonial, America East)
America East
Team to beat: Vermont — Mike Longergan has the Catamounts on top of the league in just his second season after taking over for Tom Brennan. Chris Holm is the best big man in the conference, Mike Trimboli is the best guard in the league and Joe Trapani might have won freshman of the year honors if he didn't go down with an injury midway through the season. Mike Trimboli may be the best player you haven’t heard of.
Sleeper: Boston University — Dennis Wolff's club is young, but he's got terrific guards in Tyler Morris and Corey Lowe. The key will be whether the Terriers can get consistent play up front. As guards usually rule in March, Boston U can be dangerous.
Prediction: Vermont — Lonergan's team just has TOO MUCH talent, especially with Trapani back on the court.
Schedule
at Agganis Arena, Boston, Mass.
Friday March 2, First Round
No. 8 Hartford vs. No. 9 Stony Brook, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 3, Quarterfinals
Hartford/Stony Brook winner vs. No. 1 Vermont, noon ET
No. 5 UMBC vs. No. 4 Maine, 2:30 p.m. ET
No. 7 New Hampshire vs. No. 2 Albany, 6 p.m. ET
No. 6 Binghamton vs. No. 3 Boston University, 8:30 p.m. ET
Sunday March 4 — Semifinals:
1st game: Noon ET
2nd game: 2:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 10 — Championship (at the site of the higher seed):
Start time: Noon ET
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Mike Trimboli, 6-1, 180, PG, Soph., Vermont
Rookie of the Year: Tyler Morris, 6-1, 180, G, Fr., Boston University
Coach of the Year: Mike Lonergan, Vermont
All-America East team
Mike Trimboli, 6-1, 180, PG, Soph., Vermont — 16 ppg, 4.8 apg, 3.5 rpg
Jamar Wilson, 6-1, 185, G, Sr., Albany — 18.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.9 apg
Chris Holm , 6-11, 270, C, Sr., Vermont — 10.4 ppg, 12.2 rpg
Bo Taylor, 6-5, 215, F, Sr., Hartford — 14.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Blagoj Janev, 6-8, 220, F, Sr., New Hampshire — 13.6 ppg, 5 rpg
Colonial Athletic Association
Team to beat: VCU — Anthony Grant has a terrific guard trio that includes Eric Maynor, B.A. Walker and Jesse Pellot-Rosa. The Rams won the regular-season title and clinched the top seed for the CAA tournament — which takes place in Richmond. Again, its March, and guards rule in March. So watch for VCU with the home court and the guards to take the Colonial.
Sleeper: Drexel — It's probably not fair (or PC) to call Bruiser Flint's team a sleeper, but Drexel goes in as a No. 4 seed (so it goes with the territory here in March). The Dragons finished the season 22-7 and 13-5 in conference play with wins over Villanova and Syracuse.
Prediction: VCU — Guard play is unmatched and might be the best in the country… PERIOD. The Rams just need to make sure they get some decent production up front from Wil Fameni. If they do, they could become this year’s George Mason.
Schedule
March 2-5 at Richmond, Va.
First round, Friday March 2:
Game 1: No. 8 William & Mary vs. No. 9 Georgia State, Noon ET
Game 2: No 5 Northeastern vs. No. 12 Delaware, 2:30 p.m. ET
Game 3: No. 7 Towson vs. No. 10 UNC Wilmington, 6:00 p.m. ET
Game 4: No. 6 George Mason vs. No. 11 James Madison, 8:30 p.m. ET
Quarterfinals, Saturday March 3:
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. No. VCU, Noon ET
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. No. 4 Drexel, 2:30 p.m. ET
Game 7: No. 2 Old Dominion vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m. ET
Game 8: No. 3 Hofstra vs. Game 4 winner, 8:30 p.m. ET
Semifinals, Sunday March 4:
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 3 p.m. ET
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 5:30 p.m. ET
Finals, Monday March 5:
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 7 p.m. ET
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Loren Stokes, 6-3, 175, G, Soph., Hofstra
Rookie of the Year: Matt Janning, 6-4, 165, G, Fr., Northeastern
Coach of the Year: Anthony Grant, VCU
All-Colonial team
Eric Maynor, 6-2, 165, G, Soph., VCU — 13.8 ppg, 6.4 apg, 4.3 rpg
Loren Stokes, 6-3, 175, G, Sr., Hofstra — 21 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3 apg
Gary Neal, 6-4, 210, Sr., G, Towson — 25.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.6 apg
Valdas Vasylius, 6-7, 210, F, Sr., Old Dominion — 16 ppg, 6.3 rpg
B.A. Walker, 6-2, 160, G, Sr., VCU — 15.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg
Horizon League
Team to beat: This is where the geek is scratching his head. So, lets make all three of the top 3 teams Happy… First, Butler — Todd Lickliter's team has knocked off the likes of Notre Dame, Indiana, Tennessee and Gonzaga, but that seems like an eternity ago. The Bulldogs have slipped up lately, losing three of their last six games, but are still the favorites to win the league.
Sleeper: Loyola — The Ramblers have the league's best all-around player in Blake Schilb and also won at Butler late in the season, so you never know what they could do this week.
Prediction: Wright State — Brad Brownell was successful while at UNC-Wilmington and has wasted little time enjoying success in Dayton at Wright State. I have to go with Brownell and the league's best player, DaShaun Wood, to knock off Butler in the title game. And the tournament will be in Dayton all weekend if they keep winning… and they are tough at the Nutter Butter Center (OK its just Nutter Center but doesn’t Nutter Butter just roll off of your tongue).
Schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 27 — First round
Game 1: No. 6 UIC hosts No. 7 UW-Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
Game 2: No. 4 UW-Green Bay hosts No. 9 Cleveland State, 8 p.m.
Game 3: No. 5 Youngstown State hosts No. 8 Detroit, 7 p.m.
Friday, March 2 — Second round (at Ervin J. Nutter Center — Dayton, Ohio)
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. No. 3 Loyola, 6 p.m.
Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 — Semifinals (at Ervin J. Nutter Center — Dayton, Ohio)
Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. No. 2 Butler, 5 p.m.
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. No. 1 Wright State, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6 — Championship (at home of higher remaining seed)
Game 8: Game 6 winner vs. No. 7 Loyola, 9 p.m.
Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: DaShaun Wood, 5-11, 180, G, Sr., Wright State
Rookie of the Year: Todd Brown, 6-5, 190, G, Fr., Wright State
Coach of the Year: Todd Lickliter, Butler
All-Horizon team
DaShaun Wood, 5-11, 180, G, Sr., Wright State — 19.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.8 apg
A.J. Graves, 6-1, 155, G, Jr., Butler — 17.3 ppg, 95% FT
Blake Schilb, 6-7, 220, G, Sr., Loyola — 16.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.2 apg
Quin Humphrey, 6-4, 205, G, Sr., Youngstown State — 19.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Mike Schachtner, 6-9, 215, F, Soph., UW-Green Bay — 15.2 ppg
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
NCAA Conference Tournament Previews I (Southern, Sun Belt, Ohio Valley)
Southern Conference
Team to beat: Davidson — Bobby McKillop lost a ton from a year ago and the Wildcats came into the season with just a total of 30 collegiate starts among all returnees, but it hasn't mattered. Davidson has won 10 straight games entering the league tournament and the Wildcats are in prime position to defend their title from a year ago. Freshman Stephen Curry, the son of former NBA Player Dell Curry, is averaging 20.7 points per game — which trails only Kevin Durant among freshmen nationally.
Sleeper: UNC Greensboro — Kyle Hines is just annihilating the SoCon, but I'm not sure anyone is capable of knocking off Davidson or co-favorite Appalachian State.
Prediction: Appalachian State — The Mountaineers set a school-record with 24 wins this season and Houston Fancher's team finished 15-3 in the SoCon. D.J. Thompson is our Player of the Year and has helped App State knock off Wichita State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, VCU and also Davidson this season.
Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 28 (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 1: No. 8 Chattanooga vs. No. 9 Wofford, 3 p.m. ET
Game 2: No. 7 Western Carolina vs. No. 10 Elon, 30 minutes after Game 1
Game 3: No. 6 Georgia Southern vs. No. 11 The Citadel, 30 minutes after Game 2
Thursday, March 1 — Quarterfinals (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 4: No. 1 Davidson vs. Winner of Game 1, 2 p.m. ET
Game 5: No. 4 UNC Greensboro vs. No. 5 Furman, 30 minutes after Game 4
Game 6: No. 2 Appalachian State vs. Winner of Game 2, 7 p.m. ET
Game 7: No. 3 College of Charleston vs. Winner of Game 3, 30 minutes after Game 6
Friday, March 2 — Semifinals (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 8: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5, 6 p.m. ET
Game 9: Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 7, 8:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 3 — Championship (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6 p.m. ET
All-conference picks
Player of the Year: D.J. Thompson, 5-8, 170, G, Sr., Appalachian State
Rookie of the Year: Stephen Curry, 6-0, 180, G, Fr., Davidson
Coach of the Year: Bobby McKillop, Davidson
All-Southern team
D.J. Thompson, 5-8, 170, G, Sr., Appalachian State — 15.7 ppg, 5.2 apg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 spg
Kyle Hines, 6-6, 230, F, Jr., UNC Greensboro — 20.4 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.2 bpg
Stephen Curry, 6-0, 180, G, Fr., Davidson, 6-0, 180, Fr., G, Davidson — 20.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.8 spg
Dontaye Draper, 5-11, 180, G, Sr., College of Charleston — 15.5 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4 rpg
Nick Aldridge, 6-7, 230, F, Fr., Western Carolina — 18 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.7 spg
Sun Belt
Favorite: South Alabama — John Pelphrey's team started slow, then went on a tear before wrapping up the regular-season league title and then losing three straight to end the year. We'll see if Pelphrey and his team can turn it on when it matters. He's got the talent with guys like Demetric Bennett, Daon Merritt and Ernest Little.
Sleeper: Florida Atlantic — Senior guard DeAndre Rice and sophomore big man Carlos Monroe may be the best inside-outside duo in the league and FAU knocked off Western Kentucky on the road and South Alabama at home in reeling off five of its last six games.
Fools Projection: Western Kentucky — The Hilltoppers were the favorites going into the season and while they have had their share of slip-ups, they still have junior Courtney Lee and plenty of depth. Western Kentucky won three straight to close out the season.
Schedule for the Tournament
Wednesday, Feb. 28 (campus sites of higher seeds)
No. 4 Louisiana-Monroe vs. No. 13 Denver, 7 p.m.
No. 5 North Texas vs. No. 12 Louisiana-Lafayette, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 11 Florida International, 6 p.m.
No. 7 New Orleans vs. No. 10 UALR, 7 p.m.
No. 8 Troy vs. No. 9 Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 — Quarterfinals (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 1: No. 1 South Alabama vs. No.8/9, 12:30 p.m.
Game 2: No. 4/13 vs. No. 5/12, 3 p.m.
Game 3: No. 2 Arkansas State vs. No. 7/10, 6:30 p.m.
Game 4: No. 3 Western Kentucky vs. No. 6/11, 9 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 — Semifinals (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6 — Championship (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 8 p.m.
WI's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Bo McCalleb, 6-0, 180, G, Jr,, New Orleans
Rookie of the Year: Elijah Millsap, 6-5, 205, G, Fr., Louisiana-Lafayette
Coach of the Year: John Pelphrey, South Alabama
All-Sun Belt team
Bo McCalleb, 6-0, 180, G, Jr., New Orleans — 24.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.4 apg
Courtney Lee, 6-5, 200, Jr., SG, Western Kentucky — 17.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Demetric Bennett, 6-5, 210, G, Jr., South Alabama — 15.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Carlos Monroe, 6-8, 245, Soph., F, Florida Atlantic — 18 ppg, 9.2 rpg
Rashad Jones-Jennings, 6-8, 230, Sr., F, Arkansas-Little Rock — 12.5 ppg, 13.1 rpg
Ohio Valley
Favorite: Austin Peay — The Governors wrapped up the regular-season title in January (so it seemed), but they lost three of their last four games and haven't won the tournament since 2003. Drake Reed is the league's best player and has scored in double figures in each of the last 16 games. "Lets Go PEAY!" ( I dont know WHY I like that...)
Sleeper: Samford — The Bulldogs have a penchant in their history for playing well in their conference tournament in March. No reason to think differently now.
Prediction: Tennessee Tech — Mike Sutton's team finished in a three-way tie for second place with Eastern Kentucky and Murray State. The Golden Eagles boast two of the league's top players in junior Anthony Fisher and Belton Rivers, who led the OVC in scoring in league games and are the most fun to watch.
Schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 27 (campus sites of top four seeds)
Game 1: No. 1 Austin Peay hosts No. 8 Tennessee State, 7 p.m.
Game 2: No. 2 Eastern Kentucky hosts No. 7 Morehead State, 6 p.m.
Game 3: No. 3 Tennessee Tech hosts No. 6 Southeast Missouri, 7 p.m.
Game 4: No. 4 Murray State hosts No. 5 Samford, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 2 — Semifinals (at Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 5:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 — Championship (at Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 7 p.m.
Goodman's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Drake Reed, 6-5, 235, F, Soph., Austin Peay
Rookie of the Year: Adam Leonard, 6-0, 185, G, Fr., Eastern Kentucky
Coach of the Year: Dave Loos, Austin Peay
All-Ohio Valley team
Drake Reed, 6-5, 235, F, Soph., Austin Peay — 15.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Randall Gulina, 6-1, 200, Sr., G, Samford — 17.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Anthony Fisher, 6-2, 185, Jr., G, Tennessee Tech — 17.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.1 apg Belton Rivers, 6-4, 195, Sr., G, Tennessee Tech — 18 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
Mike Rose, 6-3, 185, Soph., G, Eastern Kentucky — 15.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 39% 3-pointers
Team to beat: Davidson — Bobby McKillop lost a ton from a year ago and the Wildcats came into the season with just a total of 30 collegiate starts among all returnees, but it hasn't mattered. Davidson has won 10 straight games entering the league tournament and the Wildcats are in prime position to defend their title from a year ago. Freshman Stephen Curry, the son of former NBA Player Dell Curry, is averaging 20.7 points per game — which trails only Kevin Durant among freshmen nationally.
Sleeper: UNC Greensboro — Kyle Hines is just annihilating the SoCon, but I'm not sure anyone is capable of knocking off Davidson or co-favorite Appalachian State.
Prediction: Appalachian State — The Mountaineers set a school-record with 24 wins this season and Houston Fancher's team finished 15-3 in the SoCon. D.J. Thompson is our Player of the Year and has helped App State knock off Wichita State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, VCU and also Davidson this season.
Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 28 (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 1: No. 8 Chattanooga vs. No. 9 Wofford, 3 p.m. ET
Game 2: No. 7 Western Carolina vs. No. 10 Elon, 30 minutes after Game 1
Game 3: No. 6 Georgia Southern vs. No. 11 The Citadel, 30 minutes after Game 2
Thursday, March 1 — Quarterfinals (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 4: No. 1 Davidson vs. Winner of Game 1, 2 p.m. ET
Game 5: No. 4 UNC Greensboro vs. No. 5 Furman, 30 minutes after Game 4
Game 6: No. 2 Appalachian State vs. Winner of Game 2, 7 p.m. ET
Game 7: No. 3 College of Charleston vs. Winner of Game 3, 30 minutes after Game 6
Friday, March 2 — Semifinals (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 8: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5, 6 p.m. ET
Game 9: Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 7, 8:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 3 — Championship (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6 p.m. ET
All-conference picks
Player of the Year: D.J. Thompson, 5-8, 170, G, Sr., Appalachian State
Rookie of the Year: Stephen Curry, 6-0, 180, G, Fr., Davidson
Coach of the Year: Bobby McKillop, Davidson
All-Southern team
D.J. Thompson, 5-8, 170, G, Sr., Appalachian State — 15.7 ppg, 5.2 apg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 spg
Kyle Hines, 6-6, 230, F, Jr., UNC Greensboro — 20.4 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.2 bpg
Stephen Curry, 6-0, 180, G, Fr., Davidson, 6-0, 180, Fr., G, Davidson — 20.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.8 spg
Dontaye Draper, 5-11, 180, G, Sr., College of Charleston — 15.5 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4 rpg
Nick Aldridge, 6-7, 230, F, Fr., Western Carolina — 18 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.7 spg
Sun Belt
Favorite: South Alabama — John Pelphrey's team started slow, then went on a tear before wrapping up the regular-season league title and then losing three straight to end the year. We'll see if Pelphrey and his team can turn it on when it matters. He's got the talent with guys like Demetric Bennett, Daon Merritt and Ernest Little.
Sleeper: Florida Atlantic — Senior guard DeAndre Rice and sophomore big man Carlos Monroe may be the best inside-outside duo in the league and FAU knocked off Western Kentucky on the road and South Alabama at home in reeling off five of its last six games.
Fools Projection: Western Kentucky — The Hilltoppers were the favorites going into the season and while they have had their share of slip-ups, they still have junior Courtney Lee and plenty of depth. Western Kentucky won three straight to close out the season.
Schedule for the Tournament
Wednesday, Feb. 28 (campus sites of higher seeds)
No. 4 Louisiana-Monroe vs. No. 13 Denver, 7 p.m.
No. 5 North Texas vs. No. 12 Louisiana-Lafayette, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 11 Florida International, 6 p.m.
No. 7 New Orleans vs. No. 10 UALR, 7 p.m.
No. 8 Troy vs. No. 9 Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 — Quarterfinals (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 1: No. 1 South Alabama vs. No.8/9, 12:30 p.m.
Game 2: No. 4/13 vs. No. 5/12, 3 p.m.
Game 3: No. 2 Arkansas State vs. No. 7/10, 6:30 p.m.
Game 4: No. 3 Western Kentucky vs. No. 6/11, 9 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 — Semifinals (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6 — Championship (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 8 p.m.
WI's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Bo McCalleb, 6-0, 180, G, Jr,, New Orleans
Rookie of the Year: Elijah Millsap, 6-5, 205, G, Fr., Louisiana-Lafayette
Coach of the Year: John Pelphrey, South Alabama
All-Sun Belt team
Bo McCalleb, 6-0, 180, G, Jr., New Orleans — 24.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.4 apg
Courtney Lee, 6-5, 200, Jr., SG, Western Kentucky — 17.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Demetric Bennett, 6-5, 210, G, Jr., South Alabama — 15.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Carlos Monroe, 6-8, 245, Soph., F, Florida Atlantic — 18 ppg, 9.2 rpg
Rashad Jones-Jennings, 6-8, 230, Sr., F, Arkansas-Little Rock — 12.5 ppg, 13.1 rpg
Ohio Valley
Favorite: Austin Peay — The Governors wrapped up the regular-season title in January (so it seemed), but they lost three of their last four games and haven't won the tournament since 2003. Drake Reed is the league's best player and has scored in double figures in each of the last 16 games. "Lets Go PEAY!" ( I dont know WHY I like that...)
Sleeper: Samford — The Bulldogs have a penchant in their history for playing well in their conference tournament in March. No reason to think differently now.
Prediction: Tennessee Tech — Mike Sutton's team finished in a three-way tie for second place with Eastern Kentucky and Murray State. The Golden Eagles boast two of the league's top players in junior Anthony Fisher and Belton Rivers, who led the OVC in scoring in league games and are the most fun to watch.
Schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 27 (campus sites of top four seeds)
Game 1: No. 1 Austin Peay hosts No. 8 Tennessee State, 7 p.m.
Game 2: No. 2 Eastern Kentucky hosts No. 7 Morehead State, 6 p.m.
Game 3: No. 3 Tennessee Tech hosts No. 6 Southeast Missouri, 7 p.m.
Game 4: No. 4 Murray State hosts No. 5 Samford, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 2 — Semifinals (at Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 5:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 — Championship (at Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 7 p.m.
Goodman's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Drake Reed, 6-5, 235, F, Soph., Austin Peay
Rookie of the Year: Adam Leonard, 6-0, 185, G, Fr., Eastern Kentucky
Coach of the Year: Dave Loos, Austin Peay
All-Ohio Valley team
Drake Reed, 6-5, 235, F, Soph., Austin Peay — 15.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Randall Gulina, 6-1, 200, Sr., G, Samford — 17.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Anthony Fisher, 6-2, 185, Jr., G, Tennessee Tech — 17.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.1 apg Belton Rivers, 6-4, 195, Sr., G, Tennessee Tech — 18 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
Mike Rose, 6-3, 185, Soph., G, Eastern Kentucky — 15.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 39% 3-pointers
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