Most blogs would look at the two conferences starting today and would write them off as chalk. Not this blog though, we’re diving in deep an burning the midnight oil on a weekend. Let’s get after it.
America East
Vermont has owned this league as of late, and this year is no different. Riding a 12 game win streak into the conference tourney, the Catamounts are primed for a repeat ticket to the big dance. The only team keeping me from hammering Vermont is UMass Lowell. They beat Vermont earlier in the season, and went 13-2 in non-conference play. Their schedule to open up the season was suspect, but they still put up a good fight on the road against a frisky Rutgers team, losing 73-65. Bryant has the best win of the conference, beating Syracuse on the road in late November, but Peter Kiss ain’t walking through that door to save their season. They’ve gone 1-4 in their last 5 and have struggled against the top competition in their conference.
Big Sky
This conference is going to be a knock-down, drag-out fight for the title. What looked like Eastern Washington’s conference to lose has completely changed since they’ve dropped their last 2 heading into the tournament. It looks like a 4 team race between the Montana schools, Weber State and the aforementioned Eastern Washington squad. There’s definitely some value with Montana (+450) and Weber State (+900). Montana has won 7 of their last 8 with their only loss coming to rival Montana State by 4 on the road. Weber State holds the 3 seed, meaning they wouldn’t have to face Eastern Washington until the Finals and would play a Montana State team they split the series with during the regular season; winning the last matchup 73-63.
The Southern Conference starts tomorrow, then an off day before the ACC and 4 more mid-majors pick up the next day. We’re 8 days away from Selection Sunday! Let’s do our research to put together the perfect bracket. See you tomorrow; love you, bye.
The Morning Flush 