"The Stack" 3-7-20
The first two automatic bids are up for grabs today in the Mountain West and Ohio Valley. Plus four other conferences begin their tournaments today. It's such a fun time of the year.
The Stack is back on this Saturday, wait Saturday?? Yes, in March, the blogs are nearly every day, including Saturdays and Sundays. The first automatic bids of 2020 will be claimed today and there are several other conferences and leagues starting their tournaments today so let’s get right to “the stack” for today, Saturday, March 7th:
America East tournament preview (Campus sites, March 7th, 10th & 14th)
As the American East tips off their tournament today, it’s really Vermont and everyone else. Vermont hasn’t played great down the stretch, but they are the cream of the crop. Anthony Lamb is a special player. Stony Brook has a chance, but they need to be at full strength and even then, I don’t think they can take down the Catamounts.
Predicted winner: Vermont
CAA tournament preview (Washington D.C, March 7th-10th)
The Colonial tips off their tournament today in our nation’s capital and there are a few teams who could come through and win this tournament. I think Delaware is a team to watch, but they are a little young. They may be the team to beat next year. I take Pride in my picks. That’s why I will go with the tournament favorite and take Hofstra (see what I did there?).
Predicted winner: Hofstra
Summit League tournament preview (Sioux Falls, SD, March 7th-10th)
I’m always a little impartial to this tournament because my alma mater (South Dakota State) is in it, but also because it is a really good mid-major tournament. The crowds are good and this year there are a number of teams that could make this an interesting tournament as it tips off today. The Jackrabbits have been the big surprise this year with the seventh youngest team in D-I college basketball. They are going to be very good in the next few years. North Dakota State was the favorite to begin the year and they should win this tournament. It’s all going to come down to the health of Doug Wilson for South Dakota State. He has a foot injury, believed to be a stress fracture). If he can’t play at all, the Bison will win. If he can play in the semifinals and championship game, provided that the Jackrabbits get there, I like South Dakota State. I hope I’m wrong in this pick.
Predicted winner: North Dakota State
Sun Belt tournament preview (Campus sites & New Orleans, LA, March 7th, 9th, 11th, 14-15th)
The Sun Belt tips off their tournament today with the bottom of the conference. The top two seeds, UALR & South Alabama, don’t play until the semi-finals on the 14th. Might they be a little rusty? Perhaps. South Alabama was a preseason favorite by some, but UALR has been the team to beat all season long, especially in conference play. I’m tempted to take South Alabama here, but I’ll ride with UALR to win.
Predicted winner: Arkansas-Little Rock
Mountain West Championship (Las Vegas, NV)
#2 Utah State VS #1 San Diego State 5:30 PM ET CBS
Both teams haven’t looked all that impressive in this tournament. Both teams have needed to come back from double digit deficits against teams they probably shouldn’t have fallen behind by that much. Utah State would be guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament if they win the championship game (duh, Stacken, thank you). If not, they will be sweating the bubble even though I think they probably should get in. When San Diego State is clicking though, they are really clicking. I think they use the momentum from their big run against Boise State and take down Utah State.
Pick: San Diego State
Ohio Valley Championship (Evansville, IN)
#2 Murray State VS #1 Belmont 8 PM ET ESPN2
Murray State has been the team to beat in this conference most of the way, but I’m a little upset that they beat my pick to win the tournament, Austin Peay. Belmont’s a good squad. I think they can find a way to get it done. It will be a very entertaining game to say the least.
Pick: Belmont
Coming up Sunday: Atlantic Sun, Big South & Missouri Valley championship game picks
