"The Stack" 2-28-18
The world's most famous arena plays host for the first time ever to the Big Ten men's basketball tournament starting today.
The Stack is back on this Wednesday and we have an even shorter blog than yesterday. Hope you enjoyed those NFL deals from Papa John's during the regular season. Papa John’s is ending their endorsement deal with the NFL. Sales between October and December are down almost four percent. That doesn’t seem like a huge loss to me, but it is enough for Papa John’s to want out. John Schnatter stepped down at the beginning of the year after he came under scrutiny and pressure for saying that sales were down because of the national anthem protests. Anywho, we’ll see who the next official pizza sponsor of the NFL is, if they even have one at all. Also, the NFL is talking about changing the catch rule which is nice. Just some college basketball conference tournament previews today so let’s get right to “the stack” for today, Wednesday, February 28th:
Big Ten tournament preview
No your eyes are not deceiving you. The Big Ten is normally the last conference to award an automatic bid, but this year they will be among the first as the conference tournament tips off today at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden in New York City. In order to play in New York they needed to play earlier since the Big East tournament will be there next week. The Big Ten has been a big disappointment this year. Minnesota certainly would qualify among the biggest disappointments of the year. When Michigan State is playing at their best, they are the team that can’t beat, but I’m not sure they will put together three straight really good days. Nebraska could sure use a resume boost by winning at least one if not two games. Purdue and Ohio State are up to the task too. I think Purdue wants to show everyone just how good they really are after falling back here a little bit the past few weeks. Call me crazy, but I’ll pick against Michigan State in this tournament though I will most likely pick Sparty to go further than Purdue in the NCAA Tournament.
Predicted winner: Purdue
NEC tournament preview
The NEC (Northeast Conference) tips off their tournament today with the games being played on the school campuses. Wagner is the one seed and the heavy favorite. I’ve got my eye though on the Red Storm of St. Francis (PA), the three seed in the tournament. I’m going to go out on a limb and say they make it to the championship game, but ultimately Wagner will just be too much. Prove me wrong St. Francis (PA)!
Predicted winner: Wagner
OVC tournament preview
The Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) tournament tips off today in San Antonio. Wait, what?! This tournament has always been in Nashville. What gives?! Not that it has helped Belmont much lately. They’ve skidded in the tournament and they also haven’t played the greatest lately. Murray State is the top seed in this tournament, but I’ll take Belmont to advance, because I think they can be trusted a little more this year. Putting some blind faith into them.
Predicted winner: Belmont
Coming up on Thursday: More conference tournament previews plus other headlines from the world of sports
