#1 Gonzaga, James Madison, Davidson, Western Kentucky, Iona, Florida Gulf Coast, Harvard, #23 Creighton, Belmont, and Liberty are the ten teams who are automatically in to the NCAA Tournament. How did they get here? Let’s take a look.
Gonzaga Commands St. Mary’s 65-51, to Win West Coast Conference Title
The Bulldogs finished 31-2 on the season, and will almost definitely be a #1 seed in the Big Dance. They rolled through St. Mary’s in the West Coast Conference Tournament, 65-51. Big man Kelly Olynch (17.3 points per game) scored 21 points and brought down 12 boards to help the Zags wear down the Gaels (27-6). Heading into the tourney, Gonzaga is 3rd in the country in field goal percentage (.503) and 12th in points per game (78). Their two losses are to two tourney bound teams, Illinois and Butler. They lost to the Bulldogs back on January 19, so Gonzaga holds a 14-game winning streak.
James Madison Clinches Colonial Athletic Association Title With Win Over Northeastern 70-57
The Dukes are heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994. A.J. Davis scored 26 points as James Madison ends their 19-year drought. Finishing 20-14, the Dukes look to build off this into the Madness. They hold an RPI of 194. After starting the season, 1-5, the Dukes managed to hang around in the CAA throughout the regular season. I expect a 16-seed for the Dukes.
Davidson Dominates Charleston 74-55 as Wildcats Take the Southern Conference Championship
At 26-7, the Davidson Wildcats will be getting their dancing shoes on next week. Up 35-26 at halftime on Charleston, the ‘Cats roared out into second half action determined to add to their lead. Although they don’t have a single win over anybody with an RPI between 1-50, this is a consistent team that has not lost January 13. They have not made that big statement that says they can bust a bracket, but watch out for them. FLASHBACK: In 2008, Davidson made a run all the way into the Elite 8, where they fell to Kansas 59-57. Stephen Curry led the Wildcats throughout that insanity that took the country by storm in ’08.
Western Kentucky Edges Florida International 65-63; Hilltoppers Take the Sun Belt Crown
They lost their regular season finale to Middle Tennessee on March 2nd, but they may be a blessing in the skies for Western Kentucky, who reeled off four straight wins to take the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Sophomore forward George Fant was locked and loaded in the paint, as he scored 17 points on Monday evening. Finishing 20-15, the Hilltoppers could receive a #16 seed. Don’t expect much higher than a #15.
Iona Holds Off Manhattan 60-57, to Claim the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship
The second-ranked team in the country for points per game (81.3) was held to 60, but that would not matter. The Gaels of Iona are heading to the Big Dance for the second straight year as they win the MAAC for the first time since 2004. This is a team that is 1-9 in the tournament all-time. The Gaels look to change that next week.
Florida Gulf Coast Outlasts Mercer 88-75 as the Eagles Fly to an Atlantic Sun Title
For the first time in school history, Florida Gulf Coast will be going dancing. Going 24-10 on the season, the Eagles have high hopes for the tourney. Senior Sherwood Brown leads them, as the guard averages 15.3 points per game. The big win on the season for the Eagles was their 63-51 upset over Miami on November 13. Expect Florida Gulf Coast to have a #15-seed in the Big Dance, but the story of this team is wonderful as there’s a new dancer on the floor.
Harvard’s Heading to Second Straight Tourney as Crimson Edge Cornell 65-56, for Ivy League Title
At 19-9 and 11-3 in the Ivy League, Harvard is heading back to the NCAA Tournament. The 11th-ranked team in field goal percentage on the season (.482) will be going dancing next week. 6’5 guard Wesley Sanders leads the way for Harvard, as he averaged 16.5 points per game on the season. Harvard has made two previous tournament appearances, but this is their second straight. Their first appearance was in 1946, and they had not made it until last season since then.
#23 Creighton Clinches Missouri Valley Championship as Jays Top Wichita State, 64-43
I’ll start with this – the Jays can shoot the ball. They are second in field goal percentage (.508) on the season and they play as a team, with 17.2 assists per game as a team. Junior Doug McDermott led the way on Sunday with 41 points, as he is averaging 23.1 points per game. As for Wichita State, they finished the season 26-8. They are offensively tough to handle because of their dynamic duo of junior forward Cleanthony Early (13.6 points per game) and senior forward Carl Hall (12.8 points per game). These two teams can both wreck havoc on the Big Dance.
Belmont Bests Murray State 70-68 in a Tight Ohio Valley Conference Title Bout
Belmont’s Kerron Johnson hit a game winner in overtime to lift the Bruins over Murray State. It was a back-and-forth battle, as Belmont was most likely in as is with a 26-6 record and an RPI just over 20 going into the game. Murray State could have stolen an at-large berth from another team, but that would not happen. Belmont found a way to earn the automatic bid, and is going dancing as the OVC champs. This is a #12-seed in many projections, and I think they are a team to watch. They have won six in a row and are in the top twenty in college hoops in points per game (77.2), assists per game (15.9), and field goal percentage (.494). Watch out for those Bruins!
Liberty Completes Magical Run in Big South Conference Tourney; Wins Championship Over Charleston Southern, 87-76
John Caleb Sanders led Liberty with 27 points, as the Flames will be going dancing with a record of 15-20. With an RPI of 290, the Flames become just the second school to ever punch a bid into the Big Dance with 20+ losses. What a story it is, as I see the Flames playing in one of the “First Four” contests early next week due to the below .500 record.
What to watch for Tuesday
BIG EAST FIRST ROUND CONTESTS: #12-Seed Seton Hall vs. #13 Seed South Florida at 7 pm. #11-Seed Rutgers vs. #14-Seed Depaul at 9 pm. Both games at Madison Square Garden as the last ever Big Eat Tournament (as we know the conference now) begins action. ESPN U will carry tomorrow’s games.
Northeast Tournament Final– Mount St. Mary’s vs. LIU Brooklyn – Winner punches a ticket. Tip at 7 pm, ESPN 2
Summit League Final– North Dakota State vs. South Dakota State – Winner heads to The Dance. Tip at 9 pm, ESPN 2.
Horizon League Final– Wright State vs. Valparaiso – Winner will be a part of the Madness. Tip at 9 pm, ESPN.
MAC Update: First round at campus sites
#11-Seed Miami (OH) upsets #6-Seed Bowling Green 63-52 as Redhawks Snap a Nine-Game Losing Skid
#7-Seed Eastern Michigan Clips #10 Northern Illinois 45-44, in MAC First Round Action
#8-Seed Buffalo Fights Off #9-Seed Central Michigan 74-72
Buffalo takes on Ball State on Wednesday at 6:30 pm at Quicken Loans Arena. Winner meets Kent State on Thursday.
Eastern Michigan and Miami (OH) face off on Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena at 9 pm. Winner faces Western Michigan on Thursday.
ALL GAMES EXCEPT THE FINAL (on ESPN 2) CAN BE FOUND ON SPORTSTIME OHIO. MAC BRACKET
