Missouri Valley
The Missouri Valley tournament is always a fun and entertaining tournament. This year sees the tourney expand to 12 teams due to realignment. Five teams have earned over 20 wins on the season. Bradley and Drake are the front runners, but there are several teams capable of winning the auto bid Favorite: Bradley Drake Contender: …
Northeast
The NEC conference will have a unique tournament this year, as the top two teams in the standings are ineligible for the automatic bid. Merrimack which won its 2nd regular season title in 3 years is still transitioning into Division 1. If they win the tournament, then the runner-up will make the NCAA tournament. Stonehill …
Big South
The Big South conference will likely produce a 15 or 16 seed bid for its conference winner. UNC Asheville led the conference with a 16-2 record. Losing to Wintrhop and SC Upstate in conference play. This should be a very competitive tournament Favorite: UNC Asheville Contender: Longwood SC Upstate Upset candidate: Garner-Webb Winthrop At large …
Ohio Valley
The Ohio Valley restructured its teams after last season. Look for Morehead State to win the auto bid as they lead the conference with an overall record of 21-10. The top two seeds get byes into the semi-finals and need to win two games to go dancing Favorite Morehead State Contender Tennessee Tech Upset candidate …
Patriot League
Colgate is the clear favorite after going 17-1 in the regular season. Colgate has a NET ranking of 98 and a record of 22-8. Navy will be team to watch for the upset Favorite: Colgate Contender: Navy Upset candidate: Army At large possibilities: None Winner: Colgate
Horizon
The Horizon league will have a competitive tournament. Youngstown St leads the way with 23-8 record. Seven teams are over .500 in conference play. Antoinne Davis of Detriot is worth the watch as he scores 28.1 points per game. Look for a surprise ending to this tournament. Favorite: Youngstown St Contender: Cleveland St Milwaukee Northern …
Atlantic Sun
The ASUN conference kicks off the conference tournament season. Libery and Kennesaw State are the front runners and the top seeds. Ten teams out of the 14 make the conference tournament. Liberty has a NET of 41 but lost its game at Kennesaw St. Liberty also split with Lipscomb. Kennesaw St split with Eastern Kentucky. …
Mid Majors: Pre Season Bracket Capsule
Storylines 23 teams/ How many conferences if any can get multiple bids into the dance? Who can be this year’s St. Peter’s or Oral Roberts? Who is most likely to pull a major upset? Number of Bids ( Outside of Auto Qualifiers) 1 Favored to go Dancing- as an auto qualifier UAB Drake Capable of …
MAC
Favorite: Toledo Contender: Kent St Akron Ohio Upset candidate: Buffaloi At large possibilities: None Winner: Akron
Southland
This conference has the top two seed automatically placed in the semi finals. So look for one of the top two teams to advance Favorite: Nichols Contender: New Orleans SE Louisiana Upset candidate: Texas A&M CC At large possibilities: None Winner: New Orleans