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NCAA HOOPS THREAD! -- K petitions to get Maui Jim Maui Invitational moved to Transylvania (2 Viewers)

Who is worse?

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Emotional moment last weekend for a few friends of mine.  A couple I've been friends with for almost 20 years had their son have his Senior Day at Bucknell on Saturday.  Ben didn't play this season - a couple years ago he fractured his skill in a freak accident, couldn't clear concussion protocol in the fall, family and team worked out an agreement where he would sit out the season as a player but would get to keep his scholarship and participate in other team activities.  So it's been a bitter winter watching him sit out his senior year as the Bucknell Bison won the Patriot League and Ben will likely miss a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.  But Ben worked hard at his classes, made the Dean's List, and will graduate at the end of the semester.

Anyway, Bucknell's opponent on Saturday, Navy, agreed to a plan that would allow Ben to suit up and take the court.  Ben got to start the game and be introduced with the starters, took the opening tip for Bucknell, and knocked the ball out of bounds.  Bucknell then immediately subbed Ben out, and Navy restarted the game with the ball side-out at midcourt.  

I'm looking for video posted of the event - I got emotional watching it, but I know that's because I've known Ben since he was in preschool.  

(Bucknell went on a 30-1 run in the game and won easily.)

By agreeing to do this, Ben waived his right to apply for a medical redshirt and be a graduate transfer next year.  But he's sure he's done playing high-level basketball.  Can't afford another shot to the dome.  

Spend so much time tracking CBB wondering where these guys will play as pros.  But for over 90% of players even on D-I rosters, this is it for them as high-level players.

 
This Kentucky team can feel free to stop digging themselves holes to climb out of any day now.....these slow starts are going to cost them if they don't find  a way to deliver that kind of defensive effort right from the get-go.

 
Calendar says 3/1...LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!!!

...just don't tell the Atlantic Sun (2/27), Big South and Patriot League (2/28)!

Not only did the Atlantic Sun get a head start, they provided us with our first (albeit small) upset, as Kennesaw St. beat SC-Upstate 80-78, who missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer. The Fighting Owls shot 51% from the field, and still barely squeaked by...gonna need that and then some to hang with Dunk City Thursday night!

2/27: Atlantic Sun (@ higher seeds)

#8 Stetson 57 @ #1 Florida Gulf-Coast 87

#5 Kennesaw St. 80 @ #4 South Carolina-Upstate 78

#6 Jacksonville 74 @ #3 North Florida 77

#7 NJIT 66 @ Lipscomb 97

2/28

Big South: This is a quirky one - 1st Round (essentially a play-in round for seeds 7-10) is @ higher seed. Quarterfinals and Semi's are hosted by the #1 Seed (this year, Winthrop). Championship is @ highest remaining seed, which is a neat perk if Winthrop gets upset.

#9 Longwood 74 @ #8 Charleston Southern 79

#10 Presbyterian 62 @ #7 Campbell 81

Patriot League (@ higher seeds)

#9 American 58 @ #8 Army 74

#10 Lafayette 64 @ #7 Loyola, MD 67

3/1

America East (@ higher seeds)

#8 Maine 41 @ #1 Vermont 86

#7 Binghamton 60 @ #2 Stony Brook 70

#6 Hartford 71 @ #3 Albany 100

#5 UMBC  65 @ #4 New Hampshire 74

Northeast (@ higher seeds)

#8 Sacred Heart 73 @ #1 Mount St. Mary's 76

#6 Fairleigh Dickinson 70 @ #3 Wagner 72

#5 Bryant 78 @ #4 St. Francis, PA 100

#7 Robert Morris 69 @ #2 LIU-Brooklyn  68 ***Upset - biggest one so far***

Ohio Valley (Nashville, TN Municipal Auditorium) - so this is the earliest Tournament that takes place at a "Neutral Site" (however, it's very Belmont-friendly, and conveniently they are the #1 Seed)...it's also the earliest Tournament featuring a 'Double Bye' for the top two seeds (Belmont and Tennessee-Martin).

#8 Tennesseee St. 75 vs #5 Southeast Missouri St. 78 (OT)

#7 Murray St. 85 vs #6 Tennessee Tech 84 (2OT) ***Upset***

I'll try to do fresh posts daily until we grind down the field of 351 to 32 Conference Champions...

...it's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

 
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nittanylion said:
I'll be back to post the details when I have time, but my beloved Arkansas Razorbacks are going to sneak up on a lot of Teams this year coming off last year's underwhelming 16-16 Season. Potential for a huge bounce-back. Woo Pig Soooiiiee!!!
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Rirruto said:
:goodposting:

I get way more excited for these lists than any adult every should. Arkansas is especially fun this year because they're simultaneously overrated and underrated. They're going to be way better than the 74th team in college basketball. Certainly, if Kingsley is the SEC player of the year and a top 20 player and Dusty Hannahs is a top 100 player, they can be a top 15 or so team.

I don't think that's probably going to happen. I think somewhere between 20-40 sounds right depending on how well the 3 transfers and Anton Beard adjust.
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Well, March is here, and what started out as a bumpy ride for the Hogs seems to be coming together, although I'm still finding myself frustrated as to how we seem to get from Point A to Point B within the context of 40 minutes. I've watched almost every minute of every game, and have learned to take nothing for granted with this bunch. Kingsley certainly hasn't lived up to pre-season POY hype, but seems to be waking up down the stretch, and having more defensive impact. I love Hannahs - he's not Rotnei Clarke, but his intensity seems to be picking up as well, as Conference play finishes up. When he's on, he's lethal, and his offensive game has become well-rounded. Very likeable, very coachable. The JUCO's: Daryl Macon and Jaylen Barford have had their ups and downs, but that was to be expected as they got used to the system and their teammates. There's been much more good than bad, and I'm starting to see consistency. It's been a herculean effort for Mike Anderson to put together a consistent rotation, and that's led to, surprise, inconsistency. A better coach would be getting more out of this group. Macon is a great offensive player, just wish he had more size to him (6'3"/185), but he's definitely got some killer instinct in him. Barford is now the primary ballhandler. He's not quite Macon or Hannahs, but he's a talented kid, just keeps the butterflies going in my stomach because he can be reckless at times, but he's a solid defender, and a fearless attack the rim scorer now (taking fewer 3's, which he's not very good at). Senior Manny Watkins (Melvin Watkins son), has really developed into a useful player over his 4 years, as he's gone from walk-on to scholarship. He's good, not great, at a lot of things, and it's been helpful to have him platooning with Barford at the point. He knows where to be, how to distribute, and seems to provide a calming vet presence, along with Hannahs, which is necessary since Kingsley isn't having the kind of season expected of him. Has hit some clutch shots as well. Dustin Thomas has provided solid, if unspectacular, minutes at F. The two guys Anderson is seeming to struggle to find minutes and situations for are Anton Beard and the 3rd JUCO kid, Arlando Cook. Beard can both handle the ball, and can be a Vinnie 'Microwave' Johnson, but they have 5 legit guards, and it's tough finding him a consistent role when you can't really pull Macon or Hannahs off the court, and the Watkins/Barford tandem is working. I hope he doesn't wind up leaving, as we're gonna need him next year without Watkins/Hannahs. Frustrating to have 5 quality players, but no size at G. Nobody taller than 6'3". That's going to be a matchup issue in Tournament play. Recently as we've been on this little run, Trey Thompson has been coming on strong, which is absolutely huge. A smart do-everything forward with a nose for the ball, he's playing physically, and might just be motivating Kingsley to wake up. A potential stud in the making. Super freshman Adrio Bailey has been getting quality minutes as well. Big game tonight, rematch @ Florida. 11-point dog. Not same team that lost at home to Gators in late December. Much better on the road than recent seasons, but could either get blown out or win this game. Last chance to beat an upper-echelon team.  Currently 0-4 (@ Minn, vs Fla, @ Ky, @ Ok. St.). It's so tough to call with this Team, but it's getting easier. 9 guys who've played in all 29 games, 6 of whom are averaging 21+ minutes, another at about 18, and Thompson and Bailey gaining time with each game. RPI 28/BPI 47. Lunardi has them as a 9 currently, I"d really like to see them move up to 6/7 and out of the 1 bracket, but that's going to probably require wining tonight. As it stands, 22-7, will probably wind up 23-8. Should maintain double-bye seed in SEC Tourney, and win at least 1 game, which probably lands them where they are now, or as an 8. Literally can beat, or lose to, anyone on any given night, which is what an 8/9 is.One thing I'm certain of: if they play Kentucky in the SEC Tourney, the Wildcats are going to have their hands full. Much better than blown out @ Ky in early January. Much more complete. I'm going to end this season frustrated because the Team they are becoming has enough talent on the roster for 'sky's the limit' potential that a better coach could get more out of, and with Watkins, Hannahs and Kingsley graduatiing, I'll probably never see this group as good as they can be. I like Mike Anderson enough, but getting the most out of this group is a task for a maestro, and no one is mistaking him for that.

 
America East: No surprises, as the higher seeds, playing at home, all won relatively easily. Nine points was the slimmest margin (UNH over UMBC), while #1 Vermont more than doubled Maine's output, 86-41...

Northeast: While St. Francis, PA romped Bryant, the rest of opening night was pretty exciting! Sacred Heart gave Mt. St. Mary's all they could handle. Missed a prayer half-court 3 that would have taken the #1 seed into OT. Fairleigh Dickinson/Wagner was a dogfight til the end. Wagner held a 2-point lead inside 2 minutes, and F-D missed shots on 3 straight possessions down the stretch...but they saved the best for the nightcap, where we got our biggest upset so far as #7 Robert Morris hit a game-winner with :03 OTC to knock off #2 LIU-Brooklyn...Blackbirds might still get a postseason invite to a minor tourney.

OVC: Fans of the Ohio Valley Conference got a double-dose of OT, Baby! Previously I mentioned that this was the earliest Tournament played at a neutral site. Pretty cool if you're there with tix for the whole 4 days and on Day 1 you catch #8 take #5 to OT, which goes down to the wire itself, with SE Mizzou hitting a game-winning 3 at :02 to avoid the upset...followed by #7/#6 going to double OT, again down to the wire! Tenn Tech, about to be upset, gets a steal and slam to force OT1, They then dodge a bullet as Murray St. misses a buzzer 3, sending it to OT2. State, down 2, hits a 3 at :06, and Tech misses a potential game winner at the buzzer. Minor upset!..and you still have 3 days of games ahead! Wow!!!

Madness, I tell you! Madness!!!

Big South QF's tip off at 1PM tomorrow (today)!!!

 
MAAC prelims are Thursday.

Monmouth has a 16 game winning streak (2nd longest in the country) and plays the Quinnipiac/Niagara winner on friday.

 
3/2

Atlantic Sun: @ higher seeds

#5 Kennesaw St.@ #1 Florida Gulf-Coast

#3 North Florida @ #2 LIpscomb

Big South: @ Winthrop

#7 Campbell v #2 UNC-Asheville

#6 Radford v #3 Liberty

#8 Charleston Southern v #1 Winthrop

#5 High Point v #4 Gardner-Webb

MAAC: @ Albany (neutral site)

#9 NIagara v #8 Quinnipiac

#10 Marist v #7 Canisius

#11 Manhattan v #6 Rider

MVC: @ St. Louis (neutral site)

#9 Indiana St. v #8 Evansville

#10 Drake v #7 Bradley

OVC: @ Nashville (neutral site)

#5 SE Mizzou St. v Jacksonville St.

#7 Murray St. v #3 Morehead St.

Patriot League: @ higher seed

#8 Army @ #1 Bucknell

#5 Holy Cross @ #4 Navy

#7 Loyola, MD @ #2 Boston

#6 Colgate @ #3 Lehigh

 
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Yikes, looks like NC-Asheville failed to take Campbell seriously...4 minutes to play, Campbell up 70-69, Campbell's Chris Clemons has 44 points...another 7 knocking off a 2 to start the day?

 
Busy AM, Mid-Major update forthcoming.

As an aside, I :heart: full-figured models, women, what have you. My fiance is 1/2 Hispanic, 1/2 Italian. Yummy.

 
nittanylion said:
Busy AM, Mid-Major update forthcoming.

As an aside, I :heart: full-figured models, women, what have you. My fiance is 1/2 Hispanic, 1/2 Italian. Yummy.
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One of my favorite bets in Vegas is the 1st to 15 bet.  I usually pick one or 2 mid-major underdogs so I will be paying attention to these teams this week.

 
Update:

Big South: Started our day off with a 7/2 upset as the upstart Fighting Camels knocked off what looked like a lethargic and unprepared NC-Asheville...now, what absolutely blows me is this: this Tournament is being played at a neutral site, and all the Teams are there, and watching the games...next game up is 6/3 Radford/Liberty. How does the Liberty Coach watch that happen and not have his Team absolutely frothing at the mouth to slaughter an inferior opponent?!!

...but, nooooo: Radford 56 - Liberty 52. Unbelievable. Yes, I bet on Liberty. It was already a standard play for me, but I put a little extra on it because of the situation. FML.

#1 Winthrop and #4 Gardner-Webb held serve, easily dispatching Charleston Southern and High Point respectively, 92-78 and 91-55. More on Winthrop later...and Gardner-Webb...

MAAC: MInor 9/8 upset starts the day, as Niagara knocks off Quinnipiac 88-69. Marist gave Canisius a game, but #7 survived 77-73. #6 Rider pissed away a 10-point lead late in the 2nd half and had to hit a last-second 3 to survive #11 Manhattan Jaspers (love that nickname).

Atlantic Sun: We have our Championship Matchup (March 5th). Make time to watch this, it ought to be a good one.: #3 Birds of Trey (North Florida) @ #1 Dunk CIty (Florida-Gulf Coast)...Osprey's took 14 3's in the 1st half, hitting 12, and had a big halftime edge that they needed - Lipscomb should be a little embarrassed they aren't playing for an auto-bid as North Florida had 23 turnovers...

MVC: Play-in Round (10/7, 9/8) went as scripted, with Bradley and Evansville advancing without much trouble vs Indiana St. and Drake...

OVC: So, #5 SE Mizzou St. (1OT) and #7 Murray St. (2OT) both played extra minutes on Wednesday night, and played opponents with a Bye. Redhawks looked the part in the early game, Jacksonville St. ripped 'em by 20+, but Murray St.'s John Stark followed up his 40-shot, 51-point effort with 37 (including 7 3's!!!), to upset Morehead St., who many had slated to play Belmont in the Final. I missed badly on that one...

Patriot League: All chalk, little excitement. Seeds 1-4 (Bucknell, Boston, Lehigh and Navy) advance to Semi's...

 
3/3

MVC: We'll see how fresh Evansville's legs are after 7pm game last night, squaring off with #1 Seed Illinois St. at 1PM...neutral court: St. Louis, Mo.

#8 Evansville v #1 Illinois St.

#5 Loyola, Chi v #4 Southern Illinois

#7 Bradley v #2 Wichita St.

#6 Missouri St. v #3 Northern Iowa

Horizon League: neutral court: Detriot, Mi.

#10 Wisconsin-Milwaukee v #7 Detroit Mercy

#9 Youngstown St. v #8 Cleveland St.

Big South: @ Winthrop - as the #1 Seed, Winthrop hosts today's games, and will continue to do so if they advance. If not, Championship Game held @ higher Seed...

#7 Campbell v #6 Radford

#4 Gardner-Webb @ #1 Winthrop

Colonial: neutral site: Charleston, SC

#9 Delaware v #8 Hofstra

#10 Drexel v #7 James Madison

Southern: neutral court: Asheville, NC

#9 The Citadel v #8 Western Carolina

#10 VMI v #7 Samford

MAAC: neutral site: Albany, NY - of interest: Niagara and Canisius played last night, and must play top 2 Seeds tonight, while #6 Rider gets to play #3 Iona on Saturday...

#9 Niagara v #1 Monmouth

#7 Canisius v #2 St. Peter's

OVC: neutral court (favors Belmont): Nashville, Tn.

#4 Jacksonville St. v #1 Belmont

#7 Murray St. v #2 Tennessee-Martin

WCC: neutral court: Las Vegas, Nv.

#9 Pacific v #8 Pepperdine

#10 Portland v #7 San Diego

 
I haven't been tracking the bracketology this year, question about my Heels for those who have:

Is it fair to say that they can expect a 1 seed if they either win tomorrow vs Duke or win the ACC tournament.  I assume that both would obviously do the trick, and neither would probably rule it out.

TIA
 

 
TobiasFunke said:
I haven't been tracking the bracketology this year, question about my Heels for those who have:

Is it fair to say that they can expect a 1 seed if they either win tomorrow vs Duke or win the ACC tournament.  I assume that both would obviously do the trick, and neither would probably rule it out.

TIA
 
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My opinion:

Maybe?

If the Heels win the ACCT, they will be a #1 no matter what they do against Duke tomorrow. 

I'm not so sure UNC beating Duke tomorrow, then flaming out in the ACCT is still an automatic #1 for them. 

 
nittanylion said:
Busy AM, Mid-Major update forthcoming.

As an aside, I :heart: full-figured models, women, what have you. My fiance is 1/2 Hispanic, 1/2 Italian. Yummy.
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Thanks Nittany for doing this. I love reading and learning about the Mid-Major programs this time of year. I am personally pulling for Vermont, Monmouth, and Winthrop. Vermont and Monmouth because my Gamecocks beat them earlier in the season and can only help the RPI/BPI and hopefully seeding. Winthrop just because of the home state connection. They could be a real challenge in the tourney especially if they get sent to Greenville.n

 
Watched a segment a few days ago. Right now UNC is a bubble 1.

My opinion; Heels win against Duke and early exit from ACC, they're a 2, lose against Duke and an early exit prob a 2, win against Duke, win conference tourney they're locked as a 1, win Duke and lose in ACC Finals prob a 1, lose Duke win tourney prob a 1.

Outside factors obviously in play - Zags loss helps, same UCLA, but if they lose to Oregon meh.

A lot of moving pieces. Kansas is locked as 1, Nova should be a 1. That leaves a Pac 12 squad (Zona, UCLA, Oregon - think one of them plays into a 1), Zags, UNC. 

I think they're going to boat race Duke on Saturday.

 
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It looks like Villanova and Kansas are locked in as 1 seeds at this point.  North Carolina is a 1 for sure if they win the ACC tourney or perhaps even have a good showing.  I believe the last number 1 seed will go to Oregon or UCLA if either of them win the Pac 12 tourney.  If Arizona wins, I think Gonzaga will be the 1 seed out west as they beat Arizona earlier this year.

 
fantasycurse42 said:
You don't think they can find their way into a new conference in 2-4 years if they really wanted to?

BC nobody ever changes conferences :rolleyes:
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Does Gonzaga even have a football team or any other competitive sports programs? They aren't getting into the PAC 12. So what other major hoops conference is there for a Pacific timezone team?

 
PlasmaDogPlasma said:
Does Gonzaga even have a football team or any other competitive sports programs? They aren't getting into the PAC 12. So what other major hoops conference is there for a Pacific timezone team?

EDIT: I'm not comparing Notre Dame's overall athletic program to Gonzaga's. Just the circumstance where they are Independent for one major sport and Conference affiliated for another.
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Does Georgetown? Notre Dame has existed as an Independant in football for years, but affliated with a Conference for hoops. There are various precedents for Gonzaga doing the same thing, no?

EDIT again: I don't know how my original edit got into Plasma's embedded quote but it did.

 
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nittanylion said:
Does Georgetown? Notre Dame has existed as an Independant in football for years, but affliated with a Conference for hoops. There are various precedents for Gonzaga doing the same thing, no?
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What basketball only conference is gonzaga going to join in the west?  There's no Villanova, Providence, St Johns, etc... just laying around. 

Gonzaga isn't getting ND treatment. Come on. 

 
nittanylion said:
Does Georgetown? Notre Dame has existed as an Independant in football for years, but affliated with a Conference for hoops. There are various precedents for Gonzaga doing the same thing, no?
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I'm aware. But the PAC 10 hasn't ever had a hoops only team and it's hard to see what incentive there would be for them to start. Gonzaga isn't Notre Dame.

So again, what major hoops conference that would consider taking a no-football school is there for a Pacific timezone team?

 
PlasmaDogPlasma said:
Does Gonzaga even have a football team or any other competitive sports programs? They aren't getting into the PAC 12. So what other major hoops conference is there for a Pacific timezone team?
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Need a coast to coast Big 10... Should bring that conference back. In all seriousness, they need to aggressively start looking for solutions. 

Sure, they get to the tourney every year, but they are never prepared to win 6 straight games against that caliber of opponent. They're the Patriots of mid-majors. 

 
PlasmaDogPlasma said:
 the PAC 10 hasn't ever had a hoops only team and it's hard to see what incentive there would be for them to start. 
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The incentive is obvious IMO, you're bringing in another top 10 program. At the end of the day, hard to argue that is bad for the conference, it isn't like they'd be bringing in Pepperdine. I think UDub and WSU would be the biggest hurdles TBH.

 
nittanylion said:
Update:

Big South: Started our day off with a 7/2 upset as the upstart Fighting Camels knocked off what looked like a lethargic and unprepared NC-Asheville...
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Kid from Campbell went off for 51 (of the Camels' 81) in that one. Matched the most points in Div. 1 this season.

 
fantasycurse42 said:
The incentive is obvious IMO, you're bringing in another top 10 program. At the end of the day, hard to argue that is bad for the conference, it isn't like they'd be bringing in Pepperdine. I think UDub and WSU would be the biggest hurdles TBH.
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Why doesn't the big 12 add Wichita and the ACC add VCU?

 
Ramblin Wreck said:
Why doesn't the big 12 add Wichita and the ACC add VCU?
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The Zags have an 80 percent winning percentage under Few over the last 17 seasons, 90 percent in conference. They've been in the tourney every single one of those years.

I'm not digging up VCU/WSU history, but I'd be confident in betting it isn't as good as that.

 
My only point is their conference is a joke, they won't ever win the NCAA from that conference, they'll never be prepared for a run of 6 straight games like that.

If they're content with being a fringe Sweet 16 team year in and year out and never actually winning the tournament, they should stay put. If they legitimately want to make a run at winning it all, they need out of that awful conference and have to start searching for a real solution. 

 
fantasycurse42 said:
My only point is their conference is a joke, they won't ever win the NCAA from that conference, they'll never be prepared for a run of 6 straight games like that.

If they're content with being a fringe Sweet 16 team year in and year out and never actually winning the tournament, they should stay put. If they legitimately want to make a run at winning it all, they need out of that awful conference and have to start searching for a real solution. 
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I'm sure they would love that.  But you gotta find someone that will take you too.  That's the point. 

 
Helluva game right now on ESPNU: OVC Semi's - #7 Murray St. 36 - #2 Tennessee-Martin 34 at the half...

Jonathan Stark still going strong, as Racers play their 3rd game in 3 nights. Tenn-Martin's best player missed the morning shootaround with an unspecified illness and hasn't played since the opening minutes, but they are hanging tough. The opener saw #4 Jacksonville St. score the biggest upset of Championship Week so far, knocking out #1 Seed Belmont 65-59.

 
fantasycurse42 said:
The incentive is obvious IMO, you're bringing in another top 10 program. At the end of the day, hard to argue that is bad for the conference, it isn't like they'd be bringing in Pepperdine. I think UDub and WSU would be the biggest hurdles TBH.
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There's no money to be gained by adding them, they would enter in on Wash/Oregon/WSU grounds and they would just have to split a share another way. Not happening. 

 
Ramblin Wreck said:
Why doesn't the big 12 add Wichita and the ACC add VCU?
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Speaking of Wichita State and VCU.

http://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article135963693.html

Officials at the presidential level at American Athletic Conference schools are discussing Wichita State’s potential attractiveness as a member, according to a report by Mark Blaudschun of TMG College Sports.

According to the story, American schools are looking at ways to increase the conference’s basketball strength. A scenario that adds Wichita State, Virginia Commonwealth and Dayton as affiliate members (without playing football) is a discussion topic.

AAC members are Houston, Memphis, Tulsa, Tulane, SMU, Temple, South Florida, Cincinnati, Connecticut, East Carolina, Central Florida and Navy, which is a football-only member.

 
Big South Championship: Sunday 3/5, 1PM - #7 Campbell @ #1 Winthrop

Following their big-time upset of #2 UNC-Asheville, Campbell benefited from the Big South Bracket system which doesn't re-seed. So instead of playing #1 Winthrop in the semi's as would occur in a conventional bracket, they drew #6 Radford, who upset #3 Liberty, while Winthrop squared off vs #4 Gardner-Webb. Campbell smoked Radford tonight 66-50, while it took Winthrop OT to rid themselves of a pesky G-W squad that just wouldn't go away, 80-77. Winthrop is an interesting story: this will be their 4th straight Conference Championship Game...they've lost the prior 3. As such, they have Juniors and Seniors with plenty of experience, and ambition/desire driven by heartbreak which has to be motivational. They also have a 7-deep rotation of talented players. It's not surprising G-W was a tough matchup - they matched up well with Winthrop both games in the regular season, and feature a 'lethal weapon 3' group of players themselves. Watch out for Gardner-Webb if they get an invite to smaller postseason tournament. They play an attacking downhill game that could give middling major conference teams fits.

This is going to be some game Sunday. Both Teams feature an elite scorer under 6 feet tall (Keon Johnson/Winthrop, Chris Clemons/Campbell)...Mighty Mouse would be proud!

So, that's 2 Championship Games on Sunday. I mentioned Atlantic Sun earlier, that's at 3PM (#3 North Florida @ #1 Florida-Gulf Coast).

Both of the #1 Seeds in those two Championship Games will be 'true' home teams (games will be played on their home courts, not at a neutral location).

 
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