NCAAB
Wednesday, March 22
Central Florida coach Dawkins has already won two NIT titles; his Knights won eight of last nine games, winning on tough Illinois State court Monday. UCF played two starters 40:00, a third 38:00, the other two 30:00- they only used seven guys in game by 13 at half. UCF is 11-3 outside AAC; their two NIT wins are by total of six points. Illinois has an interim coach while new coach Underwood observes from stands; Illini won last two games by 25-15 points, both at home- they are 12-3 outside Big 14 and start three seniors. Last two years, AAC teams are 9-7 vs Big 14 teams.
Texas-Arlington is 10-3 outside Sun Belt; they’re 14-0 at home this year and won their first two NIT games by 16 points each- none of their guys played 30:00 Monday vs Akron. Mavericks are #14 experience team, starting three juniors, two seniors. Cal-Bakersfield is the #15 experience team, starting two juniors, three seniors; Roadrunners played two guys 33:00+ in surprisingly easy win at Colorado State Monday. Bakersfield is only 9-6 outside WAC but they’ve won road games at Cal/Colorado State in this tournament, scoring 77 pts/game- they have #3 eFG% defense in country.
Idaho is 4-6 outside Big Sky, but they won by 8 at Little Rock of Sun Belt back in November; Vandals won six of last seven games, winning last two true road games, at No Arizona/So Utah. Texas State lost six of last eight games; they KO’d #1-seed Arlington from Sun Belt tourney, then lost final by 6 to Troy State. Bobcats play one of 10 slowest tempos in country and Idaho plays #270 tempo, so this should be half-court game. Big Sky/Sun Belt teams split six meetings over last two years and Sun Belt team was favored in all six games.
17-18 Ill-Chicago needs win here to get to .500 for season; they’re least experienced team in the country, turning ball over 22% of time (#339)- they lost last three true road games, with last true road win Feb 17 at Detroit. Coastal Carolina is 5-8 outside Sun Belt; they won first two home games in this tournament by 16-9 points. Chanticleers won six of last seven home games; they can’t shoot (#327 on foul line, #254 on arc), but they’re 10-1 vs teams ranked outside top 200. Coastal is #115 experience team in country. Last two years, Sun Belt teams are 3-0 vs Horizon teams (2-1 vs spread).
Utah Valley won six of its last seven games; they’re 8-7 outside WAC, winning road games at Georgia Southern/Rice in this tournament. Wolverines are deep team that plays #13 pace- the Wyoming altitude won’t bother them. Wyoming is 10-3 outside Mountain West; they beat UMKC of WAC by 11 in last game. Cowboys play #14 pace, so we have two teams in high altitude who will go up and down court. Wyoming won its last four home games. Utah Valley won its last five true road games. WAC has higher rating than Ivy League; it is best league in country that isn’t in Las Vegas rotation during season.
