This week is a huge College Basketball week. Championships will be determined and Cinderella stories will begin. Here are some teams to look out for as we get closer and closer to Selection Sunday.
5 Honorable Mentions
(All odds are via DraftKings)
Dayton (A10) (Odds +500)
Mount St Mary’s (MAAC) (Odds +950)
Florida State (ACC) (Odds +25000)
Texas Southern (SWAC) (Odds +600)
Baylor (Big 12) (Odds +5000)
Indiana (Big Ten) (Odds +6000)
Indiana has had a very odd year. The Hoosiers looked dead in the water, then on February 11th they went into East Lansing and got one of the best wins out of any team in the country this season. That completely flipped the script, and now they will face Oregon in the First Round of the Big Ten Tournament, and then if they win that, they will face MSU again. Expect a huge turnout of IU fans in Indianapolis also. Whether Oregon or IU wins, I expect them to have run potential and give MSU a great game on Friday but don’t sleep on Mike Woodson and his Hoosiers this week.
UAB (American) (Odds +750)
The UAB Blazers out of the American will look to cause some more Madness this week. Sitting at 20-11 and in the upper portion of the American standings, they aren’t a super long shot to win it. Led by star forward Yaxel Lendeborg and some very solid guards in Ja’borri Mcghee and Alejandro Vasquez. This is a team that could not only win the American Conference Tournament but maybe win some games in the Big Dance also. Do not sleep on this experienced team with an experienced coach this week.
UCSB (Big West) (Odds + 4000)
UC Santa Barbara has had a very under-the-radar season due to the 2 powerhouse teams (UC Irvine and UC San Diego) in the Big West being the stories this season. Joe Pasternack always has a solid team and has won that conference tournament 2 times in the last 5 years. UCSB has a pretty young team overall, which is why their record hasn’t been the best, but they are sitting at 19-12 going into this tournament. It would be very disappointing and shocking if UC Irvine or UC San Diego did not win this, but if they don’t, I expect UCSB to be the winner.
St Bonaventure (A10) (Odds +1800)
The Bonnies got off to a blazing out-of-conference start, but then in A10 league play, they went 9-9. They will get the 8 seed and play Duquesne on Thursday at 11:30 AM. If they can win that one, then they will get VCU, a team they already beat once this season. Do not let Mark Schmitt and his team get hot this week.
North Carolina (ACC) (Odds +2200)
This past Saturday was a very disappointing outing for UNC. They played Duke tight but eventually just did not finish the game. This team will need to win the ACC Tournament or at least get past the second round, Wake Forest, and beat Duke in the semis. They just need a big win to get into the NCAA Tournament, and this is their last chance to prove that they are NCAA Tournament-worthy.
Ohio (MAC) (Odds +750)
Jeff Boals has had yet another very nice season and led the Bobcats to the 5 seed in the MAC. Ohio has won this tournament before and has a pretty experienced team. Akron will be the favorite to win this tournament, followed by Miami Ohio, but other than those 2 teams, Ohio should probably be able to beat everyone else in the tournament and give those 2 teams a tough matchup if they were to face off.
Princeton (Ivy League) ( Odds +1200)
Princeton had a solid start to the year, getting some wins and a nice upset over Rutgers, but since then it has been rough. Princeton will sneak into the Ivy League Tournament as a 4 seed and have a road game at Yale on Saturday. Princeton has an experienced squad, and I would not be shocked if they won this tournament.
San Diego State (Mountain West) (Odds +750)
The Aztecs have not had the best season by any means, but yet another very solid one from Brian Dutcher and his squad. SDSU is kind of on the bubble right now, but it is looking good for them. New Mexico won it last season, and it’s very hard to repeat; Utah State has slowed down a little bit since a very hot start. I believe SDSU has a very good chance to win this tournament. Colorado State and Boise State are 2 bid-stealing teams to watch out for also. Expect the Aztecs to be ready this week, as Brian Dutcher knows how to win during this month.
Rutgers (Big Ten) (Odds + 20000)
Rutgers has had one of the most disappointing seasons in the country. The expectations were a 4 or 5 seed at the beginning of the season, but now they will not even make the NCAA Tournament unless they can have some magic this week. Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper are a duo with the talent to lead their team this weekend and cause some Madness. Rutgers could be a one-and-done, or they could even make a run and win it this weekend; who knows? But do not sleep on them.
Loyola Chicago (A10) (Odds +1400)
Drew Valentine and Loyola had some issues with injury early this year, but now they are healthy and playing great basketball. They find themselves as the 4th seed in this bracket and have won 7 of their last 8. Loyola Chicago has had some March Magic before. Watch out for Drew Valentine and his team this week and into this weekend.
Comments