BRACKET BUSTERS 2017
26-8 (14-4) RPI: 18 BPI: 39 SOS: 56
Record vs. RPI Top 50: 3-4
When is VCU not a potential threat in March? The Rams are 7-3 versus the RPI Top 100. They also have a scoring margin of 9.7 so when they beat you it isn’t close. VCU will likely have a seed somewhere between 7-10. Will VCU once again make a run into the second or third weekend? I would say it is likely depending on the match ups.
30-4 (17-1) RPI: 31 BPI: 15 SOS: 186
Record vs. RPI Top 50: 2-4
The Shockers are always a familiar face in the NCAA Tournament. Gregg Marshall has taken the Shockers to the Final Four once, the Sweet 16 twice, and the Round of 32 four times during the last four years. Winners of 11 in a row, Wichita State is playing well at the right time once again. They have one of the recipes necessary for a run in March, and that is 3-point shooting. Wichita State shoots 40.5% from behind the arch. It makes sense why they average 82 points per game.
30-4 (17-1) RPI: 35 BPI: 45 SOS: 167
Record vs. RPI Top 50: 2-1
The Blue Raiders became the darlings of the 2016 Tournament by shocking Michigan State. They return everyone from that team and may even be favored in their first round game of the tournament this year. If they somehow do not win Conference USA, then they will very likely receive an at-large bid anyway. Middle Tennessee State have big wins over bigger schools already such as a 77-62 road win over Ole Mess and a 71-48 thumping on Vanderbilt.
29-5 (15-3) RPI: 27 BPI: 60 SOS: 145
Record vs. RPI Top 50: 0-1
The Seahawks nearly upset Duke last year as a 13 seed and they return most of their team. With a 5-3 record versus the top 100 their resume should be good enough for an 11 or 12 seed this year if they win their conference tournament. UNC-Wilmington should be a favorite to hold one of Cinderella’s glass slippers this season as they have scored over 80 points in 18 games already. Having four different players averaging 12 or more points makes a balanced scoring attack that will be tough to prepare for.
26-7 (12-2) RPI: 85 BPI: 80 SOS: 269
Record vs. RPI Top 50: 1-3
The return of Dunk City could be exciting. Florida Gulf Coast were the ultimate darlings in 2013 when they became the first 15 seed ever to reach the Sweet 16 and they may be a tough out this season as well. The Eagles tested themselves out of conference with single-digit road losses to Baylor and Michigan State earlier this year. Their uptempo style of play is tough to prepare for.
24-7 (15-3) RPI: 28 BPI: 36 SOS: 71
Record vs. RPI Top 50: 4-3
Dayton has stirred up the tournament a few times in recent years. Scoochie Smith is still on the roster and could lead the Flyers on another run with their high-powered offense.
29-5 (16-0) RPI: 46 BPI: 51 SOS: 222
Record vs. RPI Top 50: 0-2
The Vermont Catamounts have won 17 games in a row. Although they are 0-4 against the top 100, they may hang around long enough to give their opponents a scare.
24-8 (14-4) RPI: 62 BPI: 102 SOS: 202
Record vs. RPI Top 50: 1-2
Valpo has a solid top 50 win over Rhode Island and challenged both Oregon and Kentucky for a half on the road. The Crusaders are a veteran team that is 3-2 against the top 100. If they make the tournament and draw the right opponent, their slow it down pace could be frustrating enough to pull off an upset. Their leader Alec Peters is the type of player to hit big shots in March Madness as he averages 23 points per game.
27-6 (18-2) RPI: 48 BPI: 75 SOS: 216
Record vs. RPI Top 50: 1-2
The Hawks were deemed the most likely team to make a Cinderella run last year, but they lost their conference title game and were snubbed by the selection committee. This year they are on a mission to make the tournament. Monmouth is just as talented as last year and Justin Robinson is simply un-guardable averaging 19.2 points per game and shooting an amazing 42.1% from downtown. The Hawks beat teams by an average of 14 points per game and they have already played the likes of Syracuse, North Carolina, South Carolina, Memphis, and Princeton.