Northeast: Mount St. Mary's vs. LIU Brooklyn- ESPN2, 7 PM

The hot choice here is Mount St. Mary's, currently on a 9-game win streak. But LIU has the 6th highest scoring offense in NCAA (20th in offensive efficiency) and they rebound the ball much better than MSM. They lost less than a month ago to MSM on the road... but two months ago on a neutral floor, LIU got the job done. I'm going against the grain with LIU here.

Guy to watch: Jamal Olasewere. Leading scorer and rebounder for LIU. His foul trouble likely cost LIU the game on the road. He's averaging over 20 and 9 since that game. Can he stay on the court?

Horizon League: Wright State vs. Valpo- ESPN, 9 PM

Valpo is just better. They've shot 48% from the field in their two wins against Wright State this year, holding them to a little over 42%. Valpo is turnover-prone, ranking 298th out of 347 in turnovers per possession. The only way Wright State wins is by keeping Valpo from shooting the ball by forcing turnovers.

Summit League: North Dakota State vs. South Dakota State- ESPN2, 9 PM

CROSS DAKOTA RIVALRYYYYYYY! On paper, this should be all South Dakota State. Nate Wolters is no goddamn joke-- if you've never gotten to see him play, check this one out. He shoots the ball especially well for a point guard, he makes smart savvy passes, and his team's offense is so efficient largely due to him. This is a team that beat New Mexico at New Mexico, beat Montana at Montana, and nearly beat Alabama at Alabama.

However, don't totally discount the Bison. They play a slower-paced game, relying on efficient possessions on offense and stingy defense. They are a top ten defense in points allowed, nearly top 25 in margin of victory, they don't allow opponents to get rebounds, and they'll look for the upset here.

These teams split during the regular season, and in the game NDSU lost on the road, they won the first half but went dead-ass cold in the second, shooting 25% and letting SDSU shoot 57%. Odds of that happening again?

I say toss-up, with the Jackrabbits as the safe pick, as they have the star to lean on when the spotlight shines... but don't be surprised if the Bison pull it off.

or talk about Taylor Braun for ND State...

SD State dogwalked ND State at home in January when Braun didn't play.

Lost to them on the road in a close one in December, when Braun played but wasn't super effective.

Since returning to a starter's role, Braun has put up 22 and 27, and 14 last night, despite 3-11 shooting. The guy gets to the line a lot, and shoots well when he's there.

either.

ND State has lost 8 games. 5 of those were without their best player and 2 of them were to Big 10 tournament likely teams (Indiana and Minne) on the road.

I guess SD State looks a lot better if you don't account for ND State's best player missing 10 games with a foot injury.

But he's back...and apparently mostly effective...so it looks pretty even to me.

It's easy to be taken by what they do with the ball in their hands.

It's admittedly hard to read partial-season adjusted statistics and efficiencies for a team I haven't personally watched. It's even hard when I have watched them: I know Duke is far more efficient on both ends with Kelly, but I have no clue on paper how they rank with him on the court.

All I knew was that he left. Was it that ugly? I guess it must've been if he's a definite no-go in a game for a tourney bid. Let's hope you didn't take MSM then.

To answer Ceej's question, no, I haven't seen NDSU play, but I have seen SDSU play and the NDSU style (on paper) is totally the type to give the Jackrabbits fits. A missing piece in their loss makes sense, as doing so poorly on offense AND defense for a whole half is a pretty big statistical anomaly from their usual output.

I took MSM before the tourney started, so I'm kind of stuck with 'em, but I've got hedge opportunities if I want them. I'll probably decide this afternoon.

sure posting a lot.

I watch countless hours of college hoops all leading to this.

They just finished showing 30 years worth of Big East highlights. Wow..

Apparently. Olouseware and LIU are playing great but this officiating is a fucking joke

.

... their super insane fans, who are never not screaming jumping and embracing other with their tongues out. Ever.

I'm way more entertained by this.

But stop sleeping on the Horizon League.

This is no surprise

the 'comeback' was good but now nobody wants to win.

but neither team was going to win in the tourney

It's going to depend on their draw obviously, but they don't normally turn the ball over like this.

Only one team in the tourney (WKU) averages more TOs per possession. Villanova is the only other that could sneak in.

because of that game you watched without having cable somehow before.

I had cable. I just switched cable services a couple weeks or so ago and couldn't get my WatchESPN app to work after. Which is why I asked about that twice on Facebook. Which somehow creepily stuck in your brain.

.

They have been so much better than this all year.

First NCAA tourney berth since joining the conference. Also, they've got the best shot of winning a game in the NCAA's of anyone in this conference.

but it just seems like Horizon has fallen below mid-major status. It'd be a big upset if Valpo wins a game.

>but it just seems like Horizon has fallen below mid-major
>status. It'd be a big upset if Valpo wins a game.