BracketBusters

BracketBusters: Top 10 Games & Predictions

Greg Mengelt — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:41:05 -0800

Each week, CollegeHoops.net's Greg Mengelt presents a different College Basketball List. This week, Greg ranks the 10 best BracketBusters games and predicts the results.

1. No. 16 Saint Mary’s (23-4) at No. 14 Murray State (25-1), 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN: A little of the luster is off the matchup since it was announced on Jan. 30. Since the announcement, Murray State became the last team in the country to lose its first game and the Gaels have lost two in a row. Still, this is a compelling matchup of two serious Sweet 16 contenders. The analysis: It appears that St. Mary’s Stephen Holt will be out with an ankle injury.

That, along with the homecourt advantage, could be enough to give the Racers the win (even though the Gaels are probably the better team in the long run). The Pick: Murray State 78, Saint Mary’s 75.

2. Long Beach State (19-6) at Creighton (22-5), 10 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2: There probably isn’t a game bigger for a single team in the BracketBuster than for Long Beach State. The 49ers already own wins over Pitt and Xavier and lost close games to San Diego State (in overtime), Kansas and North Carolina. A win over Creighton could punch their NCAA ticket, even if they are upset in the Big West Tournament. Until a recent 3-game losing streak, which ended Tuesday with an 88-69 win over Southern Illinois, Creighton’s Doug McDermott (22.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) was a national Player of the Year candidate. The analysis: Long Beach is one of the best of the mid-majors and it should prove it on Saturday. The Pick: Long Beach State 80, Creighton 76.

3. Nevada (22-4) at Iona (21-6), 4 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2: These are two teams that could definitely fill the Cinderella role in March. Iona has two of the nation’s best players in country in PG Scott Machado (13.3 ppg, 9.9 apg) and F Michael Glover (18.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg), plus solid scorers in Lamont Jones (16.1 ppg) and Sean Armand (47.1% 3s) to make up one of the best offenses in the country. Nevada has one of the most talented starting lineups in America. Both will be factors in the NCAA Tournament (if they get in, that is). Analysis: Despite a combined 43-10 record, both teams have been inconsistent at times this season. That means this game could go either way. Iona has shown more toughness, though. Expect a lot of points in a game that could be the day’s most entertaining. The Pick: Iona 89, Nevada 87.

4. No. 25 Wichita State (23-4) at Davidson (20-6), Noon Saturday on ESPN2: Wichita State is rolling with five straight wins and 13 victories in 14 games and the Shockers were recently predicted to go to the Final 4 by Sports Illustrated. Davidson is dominating the SoCon at 14-2 and has proven it can play with the best teams in the country when it beat Kansas 88-80 on Dec. 19. The analysis: Even on the road, the Shockers have too much size and talent for the Wildcats. The Pick: Wichita State 84, Davidson 73.

5. Akron (19-7) at Oral Roberts (24-5), 2 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2: The two teams have two combined conference losses. Behind 7-foot center Zeke Marshall (10.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.1 bpg), Akron has won eight straight. The Eagles have won four straight and 18 of 19 behind the play of Dominique Morrison (20.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Both teams have a go-to player, but they also have balanced scoring. The analysis: This one is really, really tough to pick. ORU has been so good in the Summit, but the league may be down a bit. If the Eagles can find a way to keep Marshall off the boards and dominating on the defensive end, they can remain unbeaten at home. The Pick: Oral Roberts 76, Akron 71.

6. Valparaiso (19-9) at Loyola Marymount (17-10), 9 p.m. Friday on ESPN2: These are suddenly two of the hottest teams in the country. Valpo has won eight of its last 10 to move to the top of the Horizon League. The Lions have struggled with injuries all season. They’re healthy now and have won 5-of-6, including a 75-60 win at Saint Mary’s on Wednesday. The analysis: With LMU is healthy and at home. That should be enough to earn a fairly easy victory. The Pick: Loyola Marymount 66, Valparaiso 57.

7. Drexel (22-5) at Cleveland State (20-7), 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPNU: Drexel is another team that has struggled with injuries, but since getting healthy, the Dragons are rolling. They have won 14 in a row and are tied with George Mason atop the Colonial standings. Cleveland State started hot, but has cooled off of late. The Vikings have lost three in a row after a 20-4 start and dropped back-to-back home games to Butler and Valpo last week. The analysis: Drexel will make it very difficult for CSU to score. The streaks will continue. The Pick: Drexel 65, Cleveland State 47.

8. UNC-Asheville (19-8) at Ohio (20-6), 7 p.m. Saturday on ESPN3: Asheville clinched the Big South with three league games still to play, but the Bobcats are talented and underrated. Led by junior PG D.J. Cooper (13.9 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4 rpg, 2.3 spg), Ohio 7-of-9 and seven in a row at home. The analysis: The Bulldogs are 14-2 in the Big South, but they are 5-6 outside the league. The Bobcats will slow down UNCA’s potent offense. The Pick: Ohio 73, UNC-Asheville 61.

9. Buffalo (16-7) at South Dakota State (21-7), 1 p.m. Saturday on ESPNU: These are two of the nation’s surprising team. It wouldn’t be a shock to see either in the NCAA Tournament. Led by the talented frontcourt duo of sophomore F Javon McCrea (15.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg) and Senior F Mitchell Watt (15 ppg, 7.8 rpg), Buffalo is one of the best rebounding teams in the country. The Jackrabbits’ explosive offense is led by xx PG Nate Wolters (21.8 ppg, 6 apg), who is coming off a 14-for-18, 30-point performance in an impressive 80-57 win over North Dakota State. The analysis: The homecourt advantage may be just enough for SDSU to continue their stunning rise. The Pick: South Dakota State 83, Buffalo 77.

10. UT-Arlington (20-5) at Weber State (21-4), 8 p.m. Saturday on ESPN3: Another head-to-head matchup of conference leaders. Weber State, which is led by the nation’s leading scorer in Damian Lillard (24.8 ppg), has just one loss in the Big Sky. UTA is unbeaten in the Southland, thanks in large part to balance and rebounding. The analysis: The Mavericks have been impressive during their 16-game winning streak, but the Wildcats are better than anything the Southland has to offer. The Pick: Weber State 85, UT-Arlington 66.

Sears BracketBusters Saturday Preview

Raphielle Johnson — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 23:55:34 -0800

Score two wins for the Colonial Athletic Association, with VCU winning at Wichita State and Drexel defending their home floor with a win over Kent State in Friday's Sears BracketBusters contests. VCU needed a pair of Joey Rodriguez free throws with eight tenths of a second remaining to win a game they nearly handed over after leading by nine at the half. Rodriguez racked up 11 assists to go along with 15 points. Bradford Burgess scored 17 to lead the Rams, and Joe Ragland scored 15 to lead the Shockers. Gregg Marshall's team shot just 39% for the game, and if not for VCU getting just eight free throws (18 for Wichita State) the margin is likely larger. As for Drexel Samme Given led five Dragons in double figures with 17 points and 15 rebounds, and defensively they limited Kent State to 35.9% shooting on the night. Two victories that give the CAA a slight bump in the computers could become more valuable as the season approaches Selection Sunday.

The crown jewel of this year's Sears BracketBusters event comes from the West Coast, where Utah State visits Saint Mary's in a game both need for their respective resumes. One could argue that the visiting Aggies (24-3, 12-1 WAC) need a win more, given their 0-2 record in games against teams in the RPI Top 50 and the high probability that this will be their last chance to erase that bagel before Selection Sunday. Saint Mary's (22-5, 10-2 WCC) can at least claim one Top 50 win (St. John's) and they also host Gonzaga in their next contest. While Gonzaga isn't as good as previous editions their presence on Saint Mary's slate outweighs any remaining games on Utah State's schedule.

Randy Bennett's Gaels have yet to lose at home this season, and in addition to the crowd their guard play has been a key reason as to why. Mickey McConnell (16.9 ppg, 6.2 apg) and Matthew Dellavedova (12.7 ppg, 5.4 apg) were crucial factors in the run to the Sweet 16 a season ago and they've had their fingerprints on a number of Saint Mary's victories this season as well. McConnell is likely the favorite at this point to win Player of the Year in the WCC, boasting an assist-to-turnover ratio near 3-to-1 while shooting 52% from the field and 47% from three. How junior Brockeith Pane (10.7 ppg, 3.3 apg) performs in this matchup will have a lot to do with the outcome, and Pane needs to play under control for forty minutes.

Inside Stew Morrill's team will have the size advantage, although Saint Mary's has some solid interior players. But in Tai Wesley (14.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg) the Aggies have one of the premier forwards in the Western United States, and his partners in crime aren't too shabby either. Brady Jardine and Nate Bendall also contribute to a team that has a rebounding margin of plus-8.9 on the season. Saint Mary's with Rob Jones and Mitchell Young won't be as physical up front and they hold a rebounding edge of just plus-3.4, but they'll compete and make things tough on Utah State. If Wesley gets into early foul trouble the edge that the Aggies hold could be neutralized.

Two players to keep an eye on for the Aggies who haven't been mentioned yet: veterans Pooh Williams and Brian Green. Williams averages just under nine points per game but he's a solid defender who does many of the little things on the floor for the Aggies. Green averages 11 points per game off the bench and knocks down 46% of his shots from beyond the arc. Adding in Brady Jardine's contributions off the bench and Coach Morrill has a pair of reserves who can outperform most starters on any given night. And with the Aggies needing a solid resume win to add to their resume both will need to step up in Moraga.

Other televised games to keep an eye on include Vermont at Charleston and George Mason at Northern Iowa, with the road teams being among the hotter clubs in America. Jim Larranaga's Patriots have shown off the value of preseason trips to Europe, as their trek to Italy fostered a level of unity that was nowhere to be found last season. They've won 12 straight games with 11 of the wins by 14 points or more, and while it's tough to knock off UNI in their building Ben Jacobson's group has struggled of late in the Missouri Valley.

As for Vermont, the move by head coach Mike Lonergan to put freshman point guard into the starting lineup for defensive reasons has led to 10 straight wins. But he's in for a challenge with Andrew Goudelock being one of the best scorers in the nation. That being said, Antwaine Wiggins and the other Charleston forwards will need to contend with the tandem of Evan Fjeld and Brian Voelkel, with both likely to clean up come awards time in America East.

Iona visits Liberty with the home team possibly feeling better about their NCAA Tournament chances due to the roster turnover at Coastal Carolina, and two of the better guards around meet in Dayton with Charles Jenkins (Hofstra) and Vaughn Duggins (Wright State) on the same floor. It's always difficult to define the true value of the BracketBusters event but at the least it's one more shot at beating a solid opponent late in the season, and the games tend to provide good entertainment for that reason.

Televised Games
11 a.m. Hofstra at Wright State (ESPNU)
1 p.m. Austin Peay at Fairfield (ESPNU)
3 p.m. Iona at Liberty (ESPNU)
5 p.m. Missouri State at Valparaiso (ESPN2)
5 p.m. Vermont at College of Charleston (ESPNU)
7 p.m. George Mason at Northern Iowa (ESPN2)
9 p.m. No. 21 Utah State at Saint Mary's (ESPN2)
11 p.m. Montana at Long Beach State (ESPN2)
1 p.m. (Sunday) Cleveland State at Old Dominion (ESPN2)

Non-Televised Games
Noon Miami (Ohio) at James Madison
1:05 p.m. Morehead State at Indiana State
2 p.m. Eastern Kentucky at Western Carolina
2 p.m. Canisius at Boston University
2 p.m. Manhattan at Stony Brook
2 p.m. Central Michigan at Niagara
2 p.m. Illinois State at Western Michigan
2 p.m. Northeastern at UNC Asheville
3 p.m. Bradley at Tennessee-Martin
3 p.m. Saint Peter's at Loyola-Chicago
3:05 p.m. Green Bay at Southern Illinois
4 p.m. Delaware at Rider
4 p.m. Delaware State at Tennessee State
4 p.m. Georgia State at Louisiana Tech
4 p.m. Seattle at Northern Illinois
4 p.m. VMI at Morgan State
4:30 p.m. Jacksonville State at Eastern Michigan
5 p.m. Hawaii at UC Davis
5 p.m. UC Irvine at Nevada
6 p.m. Cal State Fullerton at Idaho State
7 p.m. Eastern Illinois at Toledo
7 p.m. Appalachian State at High Point
7 p.m. Ball State at Wofford
7 p.m. Charleston Southern at UNC Wilmington
7 p.m. Creighton at Akron
7 p.m. Hartford at UMBC
7 p.m. Loyola at Towson
7 p.m. Maine at Siena
7 p.m. Milwaukee at Buffalo
7 p.m. Ohio at Winthrop
7 p.m. Radford at William & Mary
7:05 p.m. Bowling Green at Youngstown State
7:30 p.m. Davidson at Presbyterian
7:30 p.m. New Hampshire at Marist
8 p.m. Evansville at Murray State
8 p.m. Pacific at Oral Roberts
8:05 p.m. Detroit at Drake
8:30 p.m. Northern Colorado at New Mexico State
8:30 p.m. Sacramento State at Southeast Missouri State
8:30 p.m. Gardner-Webb at Tennessee Tech
9 p.m. Idaho at Montana State
10 p.m. Cal State Northridge at Eastern Washington
10 p.m. UC Riverside at Fresno State
10 p.m. Boise State at UC Santa Barbara
10 p.m. Northern Arizona at Cal Poly
10 p.m. Weber State at San Jose State

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College Hoops Monday Recap: BracketBusters TV Matchups Announced

Raphielle Johnson — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:26:02 -0800

Monday was an important day for a number of teams in non-BCS conferences as the eleven televised matchups for the ESPNU BracketBusters event were announced. The remainder of the teams in participating leagues will find out their assignments later this week but there are some very good matchups on the televised schedule, beginning on Friday, February 18th. The eleven matchups are as follows:

Fri., 2/18
7 p.m. VCU at Wichita State (ESPN2)
9 p.m. Kent State at Drexel (ESPNU)
Sat., 2/19
11 a.m. Hofstra at Wright State (ESPNU)
1 p.m. Austin Peay at Fairfield (ESPNU)
3 p.m. Iona at Liberty (ESPNU)
5 p.m. Missouri State at Valparaiso (ESPN2)
5 p.m. Vermont at College of Charleston (ESPNU)
7 p.m. George Mason at Northern Iowa (ESPN2)
9 p.m. No. 21 Utah State at Saint Mary's (CA) (ESPN2)
11 p.m. Montana at Long Beach State (ESPN2)
Sun., 2/20
1 p.m. Cleveland State at Old Dominion (ESPN or ESPN2)

The crown jewel of these games has to be Utah State visiting Saint Mary's in a matchup of the conference leaders in the WAC and WCC. Brian Green came up big for the Aggies on Monday night in their win at Hawaii in double overtime, and frontcourt players such as Nate Bendall, Keith Jardine and Tai Wesley make Stew Morrill's team a tough team to match up with. That will be the challenge for Randy Bennett's Gaels, whose frontcourt was solid in the win at Gonzaga on Thursday night. But things went downhill in Portland, where Saint Mary's took their first conference loss in surprising style by the final score of 85-70. The backcourt of Mickey McConnell and Matthew Dellavedova lead the way for the Gaels, and San Diego transfer Rob Jones has played well also. Also of note is the opening game of the event, featuring VCU heading to the midwest to take on Wichita State.

The sight of a CAA team with slim at-large hopes taking on a team from the Missouri Valley brings back memories of 2006, when George Mason was able to use the momentum gained from a BracketBusters win at Wichita State to squeak into the Big Dance and two weeks later end up in the Final Four. Not to say that Shaka Smart's team is headed on the same path but given their talent (guard Joey Rodriguez and forward Jamie Skeen lead the way) this is a team few will want to see as their first round matchup come March. Gregg Marshall's Shockers can also pose matchup issues, and they missed out on some good opportunities to pick up a resume-building non-conference win. And at this point Wichita State may need to win the MVC Tournament in order to go dance, although a win over the Rams at home would be a bonus.

It's debatable what this event brings to the participating teams since it's almost a form of cannibalism in regards to how many teams can earn an at-large berth (the event would be more "profitable" if they could take on bubble teams from BCS conferences but that will never happen). But with this year's soft bubble and a number of teams on both sides of the BCS line lacking impressive profiles maybe there's a little more to be gained this time around. At the very least these 22 teams get some national television exposure that in most cases they'd miss out on in mid-February. The interesting thing to watch now: which of these teams take care of business in their games leading up to BracketBusters weekend and which ones squander their opportunity before it even arrives.

Other Notable Happenings

1. Texas blows out Texas A&M for the second time in less than two weeks.
The thought of many (myself included) was that the home court advantage would keep Texas A&M around and give them a chance to knock off Texas after getting blown out in Austin on January 19th. What we learned: not only is Texas a bad matchup for the Aggies but Rick Barnes' club could be on their way to a one-seed at this point in the season. Jordan Hamilton scored a game-high 20 points but it was the defense that led Texas to a 69-49 victory in College Station that didn't look as close as the final margin would indicate. A&M shot just 30.9% from the field for the game, shooting even worse in the first half as they fell behind by as many as 27 points before heading into the intermission down 45-20. The Aggies are an efficient offensive team due to their ability to hit the offensive boards, and when they're unable to do that Mark Turgeon's team is in trouble. The taller Longhorns held A&M ten percentage points below their season average in offensive rebounding percentage (31% to their average of 41%) and out-rebounded them 41-33. Defensively Texas was also able to force the Aggies to try to create things on their own and besides B.J. Holmes (19 points) there was little to be had in that department. To say the least it was an impressive performance on the road for Texas, who at this point in the season have the look of a Final Four contender. The question of whether or not they can reach such expectations will be determined in March.

2. Chris Wright comes up big in Georgetown's win over Louisville.
Despite winning at Villanova on Saturday thanks to Austin Freeman's 30 points there was the question of what was going on with Chris Wright. Wright went scoreless on Saturday and accounted for just nine points combined in the Hoyas' last two games. But they'd won four straight going into Monday's matchup with the Cardinals, and it was only a matter of time before the senior point guard regained his shooting form. Out of the rubble of an at times ugly game (22-18 at the half) rose Wright, who finished with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists in the Hoyas' 62-59 win at the Verizon Center. Austin Freeman added 13 and Julian Vaughn 10 while defensively the Hoyas held Louisville to 35.1% shooting from the field and solving the riddle of defending Peyton Siva on ball screens. Unlike Connecticut, John Thompson III's team had the proper rotations defensively and limited him to just five points on the night. Terrence Jennings had another solid game for Louisville with 18 points and seven rebounds while Preston Knowles added 10 in a losing effort. But Monday night was all about they guy so many declared to be the barometer for Georgetown's success, and if Wright is at his best this becomes an even tougher team to beat.

3. Fairfield gains desired separation in the MAAC standings.
At first glance a 70-55 win over a team that's 10-11 overall and 4-7 in MAAC play isn't a big deal. But given some of the losses that other contenders in the conference took over the prior four days Fairfield picked up an important win in their quest for the MAAC regular season crown. Derek Needham led all scorers with 17 points and three other Stags reached double figures in the win, which pushed their league record to 10-1. Now two games ahead of Saint Peter's and three ahead of Iona, Loyola (MD) and Rider, Ed Cooley's team has some breathing room that they may be able to take advantage of in separating themselves from a group that seemed to have a lot in common just two weeks ago. And that's quite important given the fact that Fairfield hosts Iona (Friday) and Rider (Sunday) this week. A sweep of those two games and the Stags will essentially lock up the top seed in the MAAC Tournament, meaning that their first game would come against a team that played the night prior. And with the likes of Needham, freshman Maurice Barrow, Ryan Olander and a host of other contributors this is a deep group that can wear down most opponents. Keep an eye on Fairfield, as they could be a team that gets a low seed but scares the bejeezus out of someone in the NCAA Tournament.

Top Three Games

1. Norfolk State 110, Coppin State 108 (2OT) The run of double-overtime games continues with the Spartans knocking off the Eagles in Baltimore. Kyle O'Quinn was outstanding for Norfolk State, finishing with 37 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks. Michael Harper scored 27 points off the bench to lead Coppin State while Akeem Ellis added 20.

2. (14) Georgetown 62, (13) Louisville 59

3. Howard 70, Delaware State 67 Mike Phillips led five Howard players in double figures with 19 points as the Bisons won consecutive games for the first time this season. Desi Washington led the Hornets with a game-high 20 but lost control of the ball with Delaware State down one with just over a second remaining.

Three Notable Performances

1. F Kyle O'Quinn (Norfolk State) 37 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks in the Spartans' 110-108 double-overtime win over Coppin State.

2. G Kwame Morgan II (Hampton) 30 points, making 8 of 14 three pointers, in the Pirates' 78-66 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore.

3. G Chris Wright (Georgetown) 24 points, five rebounds and three assists in the Hoyas' 62-59 win over Louisville.

BracketBusters Saturday Recap: "Big Three" Struggle in Siena Loss

Raphielle Johnson — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 23:52:49 -0800

Going into Saturday's game at Butler it would have been fair to assume that Siena's "big three" of Alex Franklin, Ronald Moore and Edwin Ubiles would play well in their biggest game of the season. But on a day that saw Clarence Jackson come out hot on his way to 24 points none of them got going as Butler used a second-half push to win going away in impressive fashion 70-53. Shelvin Mack led the Bulldogs with 23 points while Gordon Hayward added 15 points and 12 rebounds, but it was the cold shooting of Siena's three stars that played a major role in the outcome.

Franklin, Moore and Ubiles combined to shoot a putrid 4-for-27 from the field, playing a major role in the Saints' second half offensive difficulties. Butler outscored Siena 42-22 in the final twenty minutes and their shooting (54.1% FG, 45% 3PT) made up for sixteen turnovers as the Saints shot 33.9% for the game. Even without Willie Veasley the Bulldogs look poised to make a run in the NCAA Tournament because of their defense and ability to get to the foul line, something they neglected to do in the first half as Siena led 31-28 at the break. Brad Stevens' team attacked the basket in the second half and took thirteen foul shots in the final twenty minutes (three in the first half).

As for Siena they most likely have to win the MAAC Tournament next month if they're to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. If they were to fall would they have a case in regards to being one of the thirty-four best remaining teams in America? Yes. But when your resume lacks one win over a Top 50 opponent you're going to have a tough time convincing the selection committee of that.

Three Key Results

1. Louisiana Tech 70, Northeastern 67 The Bulldogs, who dropped a close one at Utah State earlier in the week, came back late to beat the Huskies in Boston. DeAndre Brown banked in a three with 24 seconds remaining to complete a 7-0 game-ending run, adding to the CAA's BracketBusters misery on Saturday (for the event they went 3-9). Brown and Jamel Guyton scored eighteen points apiece while Magnum Rolle added seventeen, making up for a 4-for-13 afternoon from Kyle Gibson. Matt Janning led four Huskies in double figures with 19 but it wasn't enough to hold off Louisiana Tech. While the win won't be of the "lock up an at-large" variety it does help the Bulldogs' resume and the WAC as well.

2. Charleston 85, George Mason 83 Yet another tough result for the CAA as the Cougars held on late in Fairfax. Tony White Jr. led all scorers with 25 points while Jeremy Simmons added a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds as Charleston handed GMU their third consecutive defeat. Johnny Williams led six Patriots in double figures with eighteen but Mason couldn't get over the hump. One area that they're sure to lament in the aftermath: foul shooting. George Mason attempted twelve more foul shots (31-19) yet made just eighteen of those attempts. Shoot 70% from the line instead of 58.8% and they likely win. The impact of this result: combined with the others it drops the CAA's profile to that of a one-bid league most likely.

3. Utah St 68, Wichita St 58 In the nightcap the Aggies took care of business at home, receiving a balanced scoring effort and shooting 51% from the field. Tai Wesley led Utah State with 13 points while Nate Bendall (12 points) and Brady Jardine (11 points) also reached double figures. J.T. Durley led the Shockers with 12 points and eight rebounds but they were unable to recover from a cold first half that saw the Aggies take a ten-point lead into the locker room. Clevin Hannah, who went into the game averaging just over twelve points per game, didn't score until well past the halfway point of the second half and finished with six points. He and leading scorer Toure' Murry combined for eight points on 3-for-17 shooting. While USU looks to be a safe bet for the Big Dance, Gregg Marshall's Shockers may need to win Arch Madness next month if they're to be in the field of 65.

Top Three Games

1. Hofstra 92, Rider 89 (OT) The Pride survived a career-high 38 points from Ryan Thompson to win in Hempstead as Charles Jenkins scored 31 and Greg Washington added a double-double (12 pts, 11 reb and eight blocks). Novar Gadson's layup with 43 seconds remaining sent the game to overtime but all that did was delay the inevitable.

2. Missouri St 62, Nevada 60 A pair of Nafis Ricks free throws with three seconds remaining completed the Bears' comeback from a ten-point second half deficit. Kyle Weems led MSU with 17 points and 11 rebounds while Nevada's Luke Babbitt accounted for 16 and 12.

3. Louisiana Tech 70, Northeastern 67 See above.

Three Notable Performances

1. G/F John Holland (Boston University) 43 points and six rebounds in the Terriers' 78-65 win at Delaware.

2. G Ryan Thompson (Rider) 38 points, six rebounds and six assists in the Broncs' 92-89 overtime loss to Hofstra.

3. G Robo Kreps (Illinois-Chicago) 28 points, six assists and five rebounds in the Flames' 82-80 win at Evansville.

BracketBusters Saturday: Your Commentary

Raphielle Johnson — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:04:02 -0800

FRIDAY RECAP
Northern Iowa 71, Old Dominion 62
The Panthers won their second straight without center Jordan Egleseder, knocking off the Monarch in Cedar Falls behind a 23-point night from Ali Farokhmanesh. Farokhmanesh hit five of nine shots from behind the arc and Kwadzo Ahelegbe added ten points. Gerald Lee led the Monarchs with 19 points but it wasn't enough to prevent ODU's first loss in the BracketBusters event.

Iona 69, William & Mary 53
The Gaels dealt the Tribe's at-large hopes a serious blow with a thorough beating in New Rochelle. Scott Machado led three Iona players in double figures with 17 points while Alejo Rodriguez and Jonathan Huffman added twelve apiece. David Schneider scored 17 to lead William & Mary but as a team they shot just 36.2% from the field.

SATURDAY PREVIEW

Nine televised games to be had on the ESPN family of networks with Siena and Butler kicking things off at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The most important player for the Saints if they're to win: shooting guard Clarence Jackson, who slid into the spot vacated by the graduation of Saints great Kenny Hasbrouck. When the Marlton, NJ native is on he can hit just about any shot in the gym but when he isn't Siena lacks one offensive weapon with the ability to be the ultimate "trump card". He will most certainly be tested by Shelvin Mack and with the two teams matching up well at the other positions this one likely determines the outcome. Also, keep an eye on Matt Howard's foul count. The Bulldogs got into trouble early in the year when he got into foul trouble and with Siena using three different players to guard him he's got to stay on the floor.

The final game of the night is also an intriguing affair with Wichita State taking on Utah State in one of the nation's best environments (which should be noted when looking at Saint Mary's since they won there). The Shockers still have the stigma of losing to previously winless Evansville a short time back, likely tossing away their at-large hopes in the process. A win in Logan would most certainly put them back into the conversation if not move them just short of "lock" status. But they'll have to deal with the tandem of forward Tai Wesley and point guard Jared Quayle, two of the best players out west. If Wichita State is to win they'll need to value the basketball and keep their heads on a swivel defensively; Stew Morrill's team runs an offensive system with enough sets to make NFL offensive coordinators jealous.

As for games not part of the televised portion of the event there are some intriguing matchups as well. Fairfield visits Vermont in a matchup of two teams that could very well make runs in their respective conference tournaments. Ed Cooley's Stags do as good a job as anyone at shrugging off injuries and simply competing; add in one of the best freshmen in America in guard Derek Needham and you have a team that's given Siena a hard time in both of their meetings. Mike Lonergan's Catamounts are a contender in America East thanks in large part to the conference's best player, forward Marqus Blakely. This should be one of the better games of the day despite the fact that it won't be televised nationally. Some have the ability to improve their at-large profiles while others are simply in need of a confidence-boosting win going into their league tournament, which should make for an entertaining day of basketball.

TV GAMES

11a ESPN2 Siena at Butler
Noon ESPNU Morgan St at Murray St
1p ESPN2 Louisiana Tech at Northeastern
3p ESPN2 Nevada at Missouri St
4p ESPNU Akron at VCU
8p ESPN2 College of Charleston at George Mason
8p ESPNU Western Carolina at Kent St
10p ESPNU New Mexico St at Pacific
11:59p ESPN2 Wichita St at Utah St

OTHER GAMES

2p Fairfield at Vermont
2p Buffalo at Saint Peter's
3:05p Western Michigan at Southern Illinois
4p Wright St at Ohio
4p Rider at Hofstra
5:05p Morehead St at Illinois St
7p Winthrop at Eastern Kentucky
8p Niagara at Milwaukee
8p Indiana St at Green Bay
8:05p Drexel at Bradley
8:30p Oral Roberts at Austin Peay
9p San Jose St at Montana St
10:30p UC Santa Barbara at Fresno St

ONE PREDICTION

Louisiana Tech over Northeastern: The Bulldogs nearly left Utah State with a win earlier this week; Kerry Rupp's team has one of the best tandems in the WAC in guard Kyle Gibson and forward Magnum Rolle. They will be tested by a Northeastern squad led by Matt Janning and Chaisson Allen but they've got the mettle required to win on the road in an unfamiliar environment. Bulldogs by four.

Poll: Best Team in ESPN BracketBusters?

Shawn Siegel — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:50:00 -0800

BracketBusters TV Pairings Announced

Press Release — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:57:22 -0800

ESPN announced today live on ESPNU’s 2010 BracketBusters Selection Show the pairings for the eighth annual BracketBusters – a two-day men’s college basketball event pitting NCAA Tournament hopefuls Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20. The field features two ranked teams, No. 15 Butler and No. 22 Northern Iowa, as well as the return of Siena, which also received votes in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll.

BracketBusters will feature 11 nationally televised games live, selected from a pool of 98 teams. ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network, will televise five BracketBusters games, and ESPN2 will televise six, all simulcast on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s customized broadband service. Three of the ESPN2 telecasts will be in high definition. The matchups are highlighted by Old Dominion at No. 22 Northern Iowa on Friday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m., and Siena at No. 15 Butler on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. ET, both on ESPN2 HD and ESPN360.com.

2010 BracketBusters Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	Network(s)
Fri, Feb 19	7 p.m.	Old Dominion at No. 22 Northern Iowa	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com
	9 p.m.	William & Mary at Iona	ESPNU
Sat, Feb 20	11 a.m.	Siena at No. 15 Butler	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com
	Noon	Morgan State at Murray State	ESPNU
	1 p.m.	Louisiana Tech at Northeastern	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	3 p.m.	Nevada at Missouri State	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com
	4 p.m.	Akron at Virginia Commonwealth	ESPNU
	8 p.m.	Coll. of Charleston at George Mason	ESPN2 HD / ESPN360.com
	8 p.m.	Western Carolina at Kent State	ESPNU
	10 p.m.	New Mexico State at Pacific	ESPNU
	11:59 p.m.	Wichita State at Utah State	ESPN2 / ESPN360.com

This year’s 22 BracketBusters teams represent 10 conferences and:

· Two ranked teams: No. 15 Butler and No. 22 Northern Iowa

· 19 teams in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) top 100: No. Iowa (16); Butler (18); Siena (44); Old Dominion (46); Wichita State (48); William & Mary (51); Utah State (55); Northeastern (56); Virginia Commonwealth (60); Nevada (66); Kent State (69); Western Carolina (73); La. Tech (74); New Mexico State (82); Missouri State (84); Iona (85); Murray State (92); College of Charleston (94); Pacific (95)

· Seven 2009 NCAA Tournament participants: Northern Iowa; Siena; Butler; Morgan Sate; Akron; Virginia Commonwealth; Utah State

· 16 teams with 15 or more wins overall: Old Dominion; Northern Iowa; William & Mary; Iona; Siena; Butler; Morgan State; Murray State; La. Tech; Missouri State; Akron; Virginia Commonwealth; George Mason; Western Carolina; Wichita State; Utah State

· Four teams undefeated in conference play: Butler; Siena; Morgan State and Murray State

BracketBusters Saturday: The Big Preview

Blake Hofstad — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:36:59 -0800

In the seventh annual ESPNU BracketBusters, the strongest mid-major teams in the country do battle in thirteen televised games. This preview features the premier Saturday games that are televised on ESPN or ESPN2.

Northeastern @ Wright State, ESPN2

The first Saturday game of the event showcases a CAA team, Northeastern (11-5, 16-10) against a preseason Horizon League favorite, Wright State (10-6, 16-11). The Huskies of Northeastern are on a three game skid, and a road win out of conference will help build confidence to remain in contention for the CAA title. They are very inconsistent on the road, and which team shows up will be crucial in this game. Wright State dropped the first six games of the season, and in the process lost best player Vaughn Duggins for the remainder of the year. The Raiders have salvaged their year with an impressive league performance, considering the circumstances and their early struggles.

The visiting squad is led by Matt Janning, a versatile wingman who contributes in numerous ways. He stuffs the stat sheet in every major statistical category, disregarding blocks. The Northeastern frontcourt includes Manny Adako, Eugene Spates and Nkem Ojougboh. Chris Alvarez also gets some playing time due to his aggressive rebounding. None of these guys are particularly adept on the boards, and it shows. They are one of the worst rebounding teams in the country. Their leading rebounder is actually a guard, Chaisson Allen, who is also their third leading scorer.

Fortunately for Northeastern, the Raiders are atrocious on the boards as well. Slightly better than the Huskies, Wright State’s rebounding is spread out more evenly. Leading scorer Todd Brown is a tall guard who makes up for some of Wright State’s rebounding woes. Brown is a great shooter, but can score from close as well. Cory Cooperwood is the team’s only starting forward, and he only stands 6-7. N’Gai Evans, John David Gardner and Will Graham round out the starting five.

Winner: Wright State Margin 2-5 points

Butler @ Davidson, ESPN

In the marquee BracketBuster matchup, Horizon giant #15 Butler (13-3, 22-4) heads to North Carolina to grapple with Davidson (15-2, 22-5). Both teams aren’t playing well right now, Butler has dropped two straight conference games while Davidson has lost not one, but two home conference games this year, something they haven’t done in six years. The winner is nearly a lock for an at-large bid, while the loser has work left to do to feel safe on Selection Sunday.

The visiting Bulldogs have been one of the most consistent mid-majors over the last decade. This year, they were expected to suffer a rare down season. However, the young lineup, featuring zero seniors, has had Butler in the Top 25 for nearly the entire year. Matt Howard and Gordon Hayward lead the attack. Howard does damage inside, while Hayward is one of the most accurate shooters in the conference. At 6-8, he is a short teams worst nightmare, as their biggest player will be left with the shorter but more inside-oriented Howard, which gives Hayward a 3 inch height advantage over most of his defenders. Shelvin Mack, Willie Veasley and Ronald Nored are all good rebounding guards. Zach Hahn is a great shooter coming off the bench. Shawn Vanzant, a guard, and Avery Jukes, a forward, are also capable second stringers, which makes Butler one of the deepest and most dimensional mid-majors out there.

By now, everyone who goes on the internet or turns on their TV knows who Stephen Curry is. He is going to get his points. The question though is: will he even play? Odds are that he will, but he won’t be 100%. Assuming he at least laces them up, the key to beating Davidson is to contain him and play the perimeter tight. In the four losses he has been a part of, his best 3PT performance was 40% against Oklahoma. Two games he has been held under 20%. Andrew Lovedale is an athletic rebounder and scorer, but is prone to missing easy shots. Will Archambault has looked great at times, and he will need to have a big game against Butler. Bryant Barr and Brendan McKillop are on the court for one reason: to shoot the ball. Max Paulhus Gosselin and Steve Rossiter play for an entirely different reason, and that’s defense. Davidson needs to work Lovedale early on Howard, and see if he has luck there. That, coupled with a big game from Curry, should win it.

Winner: Butler Margin 5-9 points

Buffalo @ Vermont, ESPN2

The last time Buffalo (9-3, 17-7) was on national TV, they were a last second panic away from knocking off UConn. Now they get another shot against America East leading Vermont (12-3, 21-7). Buffalo had tore off nine straight before dropping two in a row to Ball State and Bowling Green. The Catamounts have won 12 of their last 13, and despite being swept by Binghamton, lead the America East by 0.5 games.

The MAC leading Bills are led by Rodney Pierce, the guy who will be forever plagued for freezing against UConn. However, Pierce has had a great year. He can score from all over the floor. Calvin Betts is the team’s primary rebounding force, even though he only stands 6-3. Greg Gamble is a do-it-all guard; even though he is the team’s second tallest starter, he is the primary ball handler, leading the Bills in assists. Andy Robinson is another guard in the starting lineup, who, along with the aforementioned, do not rely solely on the long J for their points. Vadim Fedotov is a very pedestrian rebounder for a 6-9 power forward. After the starting lineup, the Bills don’t drop off much, as they have six bench players averaging 9.7 minutes a game and above.

Vermont is led by a dynamic duo of two of America East’s best. Marqus Blakely is second on the team in scoring and leads the conference in rebounding. He is the only player in the country averaging at least 15 PPG, 8 RPG, 3 APG, 2.5 BPG and 2 SPG, which just showcases his tremendous value to the team. Mike Trimboli leads the team in scoring and assists and is also a dangerous 3 point shooter. Colin McIntosh adds some height to the lineup, as Blakely is only 6-5. McIntosh stands 6-8 and dumps in 12.6 a game. Nick Vier and Garvey Young provide some solid guard play as well. Vermont goes 8 deep, bringing Maurice Joseph, Evan Fjeld and Joey Accaoui off the bench. Joseph in particular is a potent scorer.

Winner: Vermont Margin 8-12 points

Northern Iowa @ Siena, ESPN2

This matchup features the high-flying Siena (15-1, 21-6) offense against the balanced Northern Iowa (12-4, 18-9) attack. The Saints of Siena started off slow, but are back on track and have not lost on their home floor yet this year. UNI has lost two in a row, and are looking to regain their footing heading into two games that could dictate the MVC regular season title.

The visiting Panthers are a balanced squad. They have five players averaging between 9 and 12 points a game. The four starters in that group are Adam Koch, Kwadzo Ahelegbe, Ali Farokmanesh and Jonny Moran. Koch and Moran account for a lot of rebounds, but Moran does a lot of his scoring from the outside. Ahelegbe and Farokmanesh, along with being a mouthful for the unlucky announcer of this game, are two guards with completely different styles. Ahelegbe is a passing guard who can score. Farokmanesh is a shooting guard who scores the bulk of his points from deep. Lucas O’Rear is a good rebounding fifth starter. Northern Iowa brings monster Jordan Eglseder off the bench. At 7-1, he is the tallest player featured in BracketBusters. Travis Brown and Kerwin Durham are viable options on the bench as well.

Siena is led by Kenny Hasbrouck, Edwin Ubiles and Alex Franklin. All three are capable of leading the team in scoring on any given night. Hasbrouck is a perimeter player who scores off penetration and jump shots. Ubiles is a hybrid; at 6-6 he’s taller than most of his teammates, but has a nice inside-outside game. Franklin scores exclusively inside the arc. Point guard Ronald Moore leads the MAAC in assists and A/TO. He is the catalyst of the team despite ranking sixth in scoring. Ryan Rossiter is one of the MAAC’s leading rebounders, and averages 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks to complement his rebounding prowess. Sophomore guard Clarence Jackson is the most efficient scorer on the team, dumping in 8.4 points a game in just 14.6 minutes.

Winner: Siena Margin: 12-16 points

Utah State @ St. Mary’s, ESPN2

The final BracketBusters matchup puts two West Coast teams on display. Utah State (12-1, 25-2) travels to Moraga to face off with WCC foe St. Mary’s (8-4, 21-5), who is 3-4 without star guard Patrick Mills. That means the Gaels will continue to rely heavily on Omar Samhan and Diamon Simpson to carry the load. Utah State leans on big man Gary Wilkinson for the bulk of their scoring. The winner of this battle will receive a huge boost in their case for an at-large bid.

The Aggies of Utah State won 19 in a row before dropping one to Boise State. St. Mary’s will be the stoutest road test they have faced all year, Mills or no Mills. Wilkinson drops around 17 and 8 a game, making him one of the best double-double threats in the WAC. Jared Quayle and Tai Wesley are great accompaniments to the low post monster Wilkinson. Quayle is a great shooting guard, but he can pound inside and grab rebounds as well. He leads the time in dimes as well. Wesley is another reliable scorer down low that makes it impossible for teams to concentrate too many players on Wilkinson. He dumps in 12.2 a game, and leads the Aggies in blocks and steals. Tyler Newbold is more or less another Quayle; a good rebounder, good passer and good shooter, however he doesn’t score as much and banks more on his long ball. Pooh Williams is the final starter. Coming off the bench, Stavon Williams is utilized primarily for his three point prowess. Jaxon Myaer and Matt Formisano provide further depth off the bench.

St. Mary’s will counter Wilkinson and Wesley with Simpson and Samhan, a duo of double-double guys. Both swat shots regularly, and Simpson also tallies 1.6 steals per contest. While Samhan scores more, it’s Simpson who is the team’s best player with Mills out. He can be counted on to give his all every time he steps on the court. Carlin Hughes fills in at the point while Mills is out. Hughes isn’t a bad player, but the Gaels suffer a significant dropoff without the WCC’s best at the helm. Hughes can still pass and has handles, but is not the versatile scorer Mills was. Wayne Hunter and Mickey O’Connell accentuate the backcourt for Saint Mary’s. Ian O’Leary is a solid rebounder off the bench as well. In order for the Gaels to win, they need Samhan to play better. In the losses tallied since Mills’ injury, Samhan has scored under his average three of the four times. They need a consistent performance from him to win.

Winner: St. Mary’s Margin: 5-7 points

5 Players to Watch

F Marqus Blakely, Vermont- Blakely is one of the most versatile players in the country. At 6-5, he is a monster on the boards, and his tremendous athleticism gives him the ability to block a lot of shots and rack up steals. If Vermont makes the Tournament, Blakely is going to give hell to a big name team. He should have a big game.

G Rodney Pierce, Buffalo- Against UConn, Pierce poured in 28, his best scoring performance of the year. If he can duplicate those numbers again in primetime, the Vermont-Buffalo game may be closer than projected. Pierce is certainly a guy who will have a target on his back if Buffalo makes the Big Dance as a giant killer. His team wasn’t able to pull it out against UConn, but don’t expect Pierce to miss out on a chance like that again.

G-F Matt Janning, Northeastern- This versatile forward scores, steals, rebounds and dishes. The junior has had some big performances this year, including 24 at Providence. His team will look for him to lead by example, and if the Huskies want to stop the skid, they will need to best Wright State. For them to accomplish that, Janning will have to take over.

F Omar Samhan, St. Mary’s- Samhan is almost as well known for his comments before the first Gonzaga game than he is for his play on the court. With Mills out, Samhan has to emerge as a guy who can win the game for this team. Diamon Simpson is a great player, and for Samhan to ascend to that plateau, he has to find some consistency and prove he can be the team’s top scorer while Mills is out.

G Stephen Curry, Davidson- Curry has gotten more media attention than perhaps every other player playing in BracketBusters combined. That being said, he is the nation’s leading scorer, and even on a down night, or if he’s only 75%, he has that killer instinct that makes Davidson a tough win even if you’re up 7 with 50 seconds left. When he gets hot, watch out. Davidson can hang with just about anyone when that happens.

BracketBusters: Friday Preview

Blake Hofstad — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:30:20 -0800

In the seventh annual ESPNU BracketBusters, the country's strongest mid-majors do battle in thirteen televised games. Although most of these games are played on ESPNU, a few get big-time exposure on ESPN and ESPN2, a rarity for these publicity starved teams. For some, it might be their only remaining shot to impress America, and have basketball fans keeping them in the back of their mind in March. Here's a complete rundown of the televised games. Keep in mind that 38 games will not be on TV; however these matchups feature teams less likely to go dancing (or even NIT'ing or CBI'ing) than the "premier" televised games. All non-televised games take place on February 21.

Friday

Illinois State @ Niagara, ESPN2

BracketBusters commences with a battle between MVC tourney hopeful Illinois State (11-5, 22-5) traveling to upstate New York to square off with MAAC giant Niagara (12-4, 21-7). Both teams are fighting for conference supremacy. The Redbirds are one game out of first in the Valley. They were one of the last remaining undefeated teams in college basketball and still maintain a good record, but a weak SOS may keep them out of the Tournament without a conference championship. Niagara is well behind Siena in the MAAC, but still has one more showdown with the Saints. A win at South Florida won't hurt, but trumping Illinois State looks a lot nicer on a Tournament resume.

The Redbirds backcourt is the obvious strong-point with four guards averaging double digits. The unit is led by Champ Oguchi, a senior who did not play last year after transferring from Oregon, and preseason favorite for Conference Player of the Year, Osiris Eldridge. Both are taller guards who make up for the lack of true forwards in the Redbird starting attack. Lloyd Phillips and Emmanuel Holloway round out the Redbirds four-guard attack. All four can absolutely light it up from three and pick your pocket on the other end (each averages over 1 spg, and shoots over 35% from three). Dinma Odiakosa leads the conference in offensive rebounds; in the height-deprived Valley, Odiakosa has his way. Brandon Sampay is another guy who can rebound. Bottom line, Illinois State is home to some of the coolest names in the country (Champ Oguchi, Dinma Odiakosa, Osiris?), but they are also a very dangerous shooting team. When hot, they can play with just about anyone.

Niagara is a much more balanced team in terms of point distribution. Guard Tyrone Lewis heads the attack, but the next two high scorers are forwards. Lewis is a short guard, but can haul down rebounds as well as hit from deep. Bilal Benn, a forward, hauls down 8.9 rebounds a game and has good range on his jumper, extending past three point range. Benson Egemonye stands 6-10 and is a good bet for a double double against the short Redbirds. Rob Garrison and Demetrius Williamson throw up a bunch of threes. Both are guards, and both may have trouble getting involved. They rely a lot on their three point shot. In a four guard lineup, they may not get the same looks. Williamson is not a starter, rounding out the unit is do it all guard Anthony Nelson. Nelson is a good rebounder, good passer and adequate scorer, Niagara's answer to Illinois' Chester Frazier. He needs to play well and penetrate the lane for the Purple Eagles to win.

Winner: Illinois State Margin: 4-7 points

VCU @ Nevada, ESPN

The second Friday night game features the first place CAA team against the second best the WAC has to offer. VCU (12-4, 19-8) travels west to take on Nevada (8-4, 15-10). The Rams gained mid-major notoriety in 2007 when the bested Duke in the first round. A solid road win would be an excellent cushion in the case of a CAA Tournament flop. Nevada is out unless they win the WAC Tournament, but this game would be a huge win in terms of seeding.

VCU's star guard, Eric Maynor, is one of the nation's best players. He throws up 23 a game to accompany his 6.1 assists per. His game features, but does not revolve around the three ball. 1.8 steals on the other end prove he's a complete player. His backcourt mates include defensive ace Joey Rodriguez, who is also one of the conference's top shooters. Bradford Burgess, a 6-4 guard, uses his lanky frame to snag rebounds and shoot over shorter defenders, but he also has a quickness advantage over many of his defenders, who are occupied with Maynor (6-2) and Rodriguez (5-10). Also getting minutes at the guard slots are Brandon Rozell and Ed Nixon. At forward, 6-9 Larry Sanders hauls in 8 rebounds a game and swats 2.6 shots per contest. Kirill Pishchalnikov joins him in the starting lineup, where he is utilized primarily for his height. TJ Gwynn will also see time.

The Wolfpack is led by big frosh Luke Babbitt, whose game is all about versatility. He has deep range, hitting 43% from three, which makes him a matchup nightmare. Guard Armon Johnson scores, rebounds, passes and steals. On a weak passing team, Johnson accounts for over a third of the team's assists. Malik Cooke joins Babbitt in the frontcourt. He leads the team in steals and is second in rebounds. Joey Shaw and Dario Hunt rack up minutes in the forward slots as well. Hunt doesn't score often, but rebounds at a much higher clip. Brandon Fields joins Armon Johnson in the "Nevada guards who can't shoot" category. Neither hits 23% of their threes, but rely on other facets of their games to get baskets, which is why Johnson is one of two players under 6-2 in the WAC's FTA leaders.

Winner: VCU Margin: 6-10 points

3 Players to Watch on Friday

F Dinma Odiakosa, Illinois State - Odiakosa is the Redbird's leading rebounder, as well as a monster on the offensive end. Standing only 6-8, he won't have a height advantage over most big centers from bigger schools. If he can have his way against Niagara, a solid rebounding team, it may foreshadow a potential Tournament performance. He will have to play well for Illinois State to advance in the Big Dance.

G Anthony Nelson, Niagara - As mentioned above, Nelson is the Chester Frazier of the CAA. Both players don't score often, but are players who do everything well. Watch for the ways he helps his team that don't include scoring. Adam Emmenecker was the MVC Player of the Year last year despite not even scoring in double digits. Nelson impacts the Purple Eagles in a similar way; he's the catalyst of the team.

G Eric Maynor, VCU - Easily one of the best players in any mid-major conference, perhaps the best, Eric Maynor and his team went down in NCAA Tournament history when they knocked off Duke. Maynor had 22 points, including the game winner with 1.8 seconds left. The lightning-quick guard is one of the NCAA's most electrifying players. If you're not familiar with him, watch this game.

Any Luster to ESPN's BracketBusters?

Dave Barend — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:08:03 -0800

Any Luster To ESPN’s Bracket Buster?

My wife thinks I’m a College-Hoop-aholic. The evidence is somewhat convincing:

*On February 14th, she asked, “Do you have any idea what today is? I responded, “Yeah, it’s Wisconsin’s turn to host College GameDay.”

*When purchasing a tie last week I uncontrollably asked if it came with a matching highlighter.

*The minute the Advent Calendar comes down it’s replaced with my “Countdown to Selection Sunday.”

*I’m unable to be in bed with my wife without uttering, “Send it in big fella!”

And - I’m excited for ESPN’s upcoming BracketBusters Weekend.

If you haven’t heard of BracketBusters then you haven’t turned on ESPN since November. It’s 51 games between mid-major schools. Why is it called BracketBusters? Because no one would watch if ESPN called it “Games That You Couldn’t Care Less About.”

Amongst the marquee BracketBusters match-ups are:

Butler at Davidson – ESPN Saturday 12pm

This would be a great game if it could be rescheduled for – the 2008 season. You know, when Davidson was actually good.

Buffalo at Vermont – ESPN2 Saturday 1pm

I’m anti-UVM because of their nickname, the Catamounts. Western Carolina has had the same moniker since 1933. Vermont should really change to something that honors the state’s most famous residents: Ben & Jerry. I propose the Vermont Chunky Monkeys.

Utah State at Saint Mary’s – ESPN2 Saturday 5pm

ESPN’s web site touts this as a great chance to see St. Mary’s stellar guard, Patrick Mills. Though that’s true, the site should probably also mention that he’ll be clad in a suit and sitting on the bench. Yes, the Gaels’ star player is injured. So ESPN might be better off replacing St. Mary’s with St. Clete’s School For Wayward Girls. (Most famous alum – Carla Tortelli.)

There are a few ways that ESPN could improve its BracketBusters Weekend:

1. One Underdog Per Game – When there’s hoops on and I don’t have a clear rooting interest, I, as a red-blooded American, pull for the underdog. So, what am I supposed to do with the Bracket Buster game of Illinois State v. Niagara? It’s like if there were a wrestling match between Eva Mendes and Eva Longoria. No way to choose who to root for, so why even watch? Actually, that’s a horrible example.

2. Make It Truly Bracket Busting - You lose and you go home, for good. That’s right, the rule should be that if you lose a Bracket Buster game, your season is over. No NCAAs. No NIT. Not even that ridiculous CBI. You’re talking tons of misery for the losers. Who would want to see that? Everyone. These games would become NCAA’s version of a NASCAR pile up.

3. Bracket Busting Cheerleaders – I am always trying to find ways for more cheerleader involvement and any word that includes “bust” clearly lends itself to my goal. (God, I miss Beavis.) Here’s what I’m thinking: the cheerleaders replace their sports bras and halter tops with - a set of brackets. Wouldn’t that be quite revealing? I truly hope so. ESPN should also slightly change the name to Bracket Bustier Weekend.

Yet despite all of the problems with ESPN’s slate of games, I’m still excited to tune in this weekend because:

1. I Believe The Hype - I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a good pitch. Probably the reason why I currently own two cases of TAG body spray. But the folks at ESPN have almost complete control over my little brain. Simply put, I’m watching BracketBusters because ESPN says I should. Heck, ESPN has gotten me to watch soccer even though I’m, well, a man.

2. I Don’t Care – Yes, I watch because I don’t care. I swear this makes sense. See, the two teams I root for in college hoops are my two alma maters: St. Bonaventure and BC. When they are playing, it’s truly an un-enjoyable emotional roller coaster ride for me. Granted, with St. Bona’s that ride is usually over after about 5 minutes.

But that definitely was not the case back in March of 2000. It was Selection Sunday. I’m waiting, and hoping and praying and - then it happened: Greg Gumble said, “The next spot goes to the St. Bonaventure Bonnies.” I immediately ran around my apartment, out the door and through the streets screaming, “The Bonnies are in the Tournament!” With my arms raised in victory, I felt like the guy in Chariots of Fire. My wife, however, had a different vision. She claims I looked more like Julie Andrews in her “Hills are Alive” scene from The Sound of Music. I much prefer my recollection. Apparently the neighbors heard something all together different. See, the next day the paper comes and I’m in there. Well, sort of. In the police log it stated, “Man heard running through street yelling, ‘Johnny needs a tourniquet.’”

My beloved Bonnies drew Kentucky in the first round. After not one but two overtimes, St. Bonaventure lost. I then lay immobile on my living room floor. Phone rang but I couldn’t move. Answering machine picked up. While contemplating suicide, I heard the voice of my buddy Rick saying, “Dave, question for you. Why’d it take St. Bonaventure so long to lose? Later.”

None of that will happen with Saturday’s Northeastern-Wright State game.

If I’m honest, the main reason that I’m watching BracketBusters is that my wife’s right. My name is Dave Barend and I’m a College-Hoop-aholic. The evidence just keeps mounting:

*It infuriates me that not a single contestant on American Idol has chosen to sing “One Shining Moment.”

*I read everything I can about college basketball – even columns written by Doug Gottlieb.

*I think I might actually miss Billy Packer.

*I despise people who don’t watch any games all year and then win my pool.

*To me, the greatest movie of all time is the college basketball classic, “Fast Break” staring the one and only Gabe Kaplan. Those of you who think it’s Citizen Kane are just wrong.

*I refuse to let my wife leave the bedroom without saying, “That was Awesome, baby.”

And finally - I’m truly pumped to watch Northern Iowa at Siena, which will be part of a fantastic BracketBusters Weekend.

Take it easy,

Dave

Next set of Rankings & Irrelevant Comments coming Monday. If you’d like to add a comment about any team, just email it to me at davebarend@yahoo.com by Saturday night.