Wyoming and Michigan are D-U-N=Done. I’m heartbroken, I’m at work sulking and give a shit less about my productivity. Lawd help our future generation. Believe it or not, there’s still 3 conferences to preview (Ivy dorks wait to play on Saturday).
American
Sorry Memphis Maniac, Houston is a legit title contender with Marcus Sasser and Jamal Shead leading the charge. With experienced guard play, a great coach and a deep bench, Houston is deserving of their #1 seed and can win the natty. There are several frisky teams in this conference that can screw up their seeding and contend for the AAC conference tourney.
Memphis is the obvious upset pick. They’ve won 6 of their last 8 and took Houston to the wire at home in a two point loss. Obviously, they’re looking to hang a banner, but they can drastically improve their tournament seeding with a conference chip as well. I think they’re the only team that can confidently matchup with the Cougars. They play at a frenetic pace and have the talent to dictate said pace against a slow, methodical Houston attack.
Speaking of pace, Tulane plays well at hyperspeed, but Houston’s defense is too good and has held them under 60 (while scoring over 80) in both matchups. The Green Wave could make it to the final and hope Houston gets upset, but I don’t see how they can matchup with the Cougars.
Temple was the only team to beat Houston, they’re comfortable muddying it up against other teams, which is what it will take to pull off the upset, but I don’t think they get past Cincy. I hate to take chalk, but it’s either Houston or Memphis.
MAC
I love Maction football, and this tournament should deliver with some marquee mid-major games as well. The Jon Steinbrecher deserves to be fired for these non-conference schedules. The regular season was a competitive gauntlet, but the best win in the top half of the conference was Toledo’s road win over Vermont…hardly enough to move the needle. Kent State had several opportunities, but went 0-3 against Charleston, Houston and Gonzaga, losing by 14 points combined in those contests.
I’m boring and going chalk again. A Kent State/Toledo final would be electric with an unstoppable force in Toledo (top 10 in offensive efficiency/top 70 in pace) vs an immovable object in Kent State (Top 40 defensively, bottom half in pace). Akron is middle of the pack as far as offensive and defensive efficiency, but plays at a pace that masks their weaknesses and is absolutely worth a sprinkle.
Ivy league starts play Saturday to conclude our conference tournament tour (except the NEC…oops), then selection Sunday is right after that. I’m going to go, reluctantly, watch more basketball now. Love you, bye.
The Morning Flush 