Coach Shaka Smart: Director of Havoc Virginia Commonwealth Rams (VCU) / 24 - 7
Conference: Atlantic 10 (12 - 4)
Big Wins: @ Virigina, @ Virginia Tech, @ Dayton, vs. Saint Louis
Top Players:
# 15 - Sr - F - Juvonte Reddic 12.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.4 SPG
# 2 - Jr - G - Briante Weber 9.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.6 SPG
# 21 - Jr - G - Treveon Graham 15.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.0 APG
VCU may not be the most efficient in half court offense or defense however their relentless fast paced style of play is difficult for any opponent to match. Coach Smart runs what he likes to call "Havoc Defense" and the name is very fitting when this team is firing on all cylinders. It doesn't hurt having the nations leading pickpocket in Briante Weber who averages 3.6 steals/game. If the Rams opponents don't secure the ball they will be in for a tough contest.
Conference: Atlantic 10 (12 - 4)
Big Wins: @ Virigina, @ Virginia Tech, @ Dayton, vs. Saint Louis
Top Players:
# 15 - Sr - F - Juvonte Reddic 12.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.4 SPG
# 2 - Jr - G - Briante Weber 9.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.6 SPG
# 21 - Jr - G - Treveon Graham 15.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.0 APG
VCU may not be the most efficient in half court offense or defense however their relentless fast paced style of play is difficult for any opponent to match. Coach Smart runs what he likes to call "Havoc Defense" and the name is very fitting when this team is firing on all cylinders. It doesn't hurt having the nations leading pickpocket in Briante Weber who averages 3.6 steals/game. If the Rams opponents don't secure the ball they will be in for a tough contest.
The "Chaz-manian Devil" leads UMASS UMass Minutemen / 24 - 7
Conference: Atlantic 10 (10 - 6)
Big Wins: vs. LSU, vs. Nebraska, @ New Mexico, vs. VCU
Top Players:
# 3 - Sr - G - Chaz Williams 15.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 7.1 APG
# 34 - Sr - F - Raphiael Putney 9.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.2 BPG
# 25 - Jr - C - Cady Lalanne 11.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.3 BPG
The Minutemen are back in the NCAA Tournament hunt for the first time in years! The Atlantic 10 is an under-rated conference full of sleeper teams like UMass. Senior Point Guard, and Hofstra transfer, Chaz Williams leads the offense while the supporting cast does a great job of executing their roles on both ends of the floor. Raphiael Putney is a fun player to watch, if he can play under control he could help lead the Minutemen to the Sweet 16!
Conference: Atlantic 10 (10 - 6)
Big Wins: vs. LSU, vs. Nebraska, @ New Mexico, vs. VCU
Top Players:
# 3 - Sr - G - Chaz Williams 15.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 7.1 APG
# 34 - Sr - F - Raphiael Putney 9.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.2 BPG
# 25 - Jr - C - Cady Lalanne 11.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.3 BPG
The Minutemen are back in the NCAA Tournament hunt for the first time in years! The Atlantic 10 is an under-rated conference full of sleeper teams like UMass. Senior Point Guard, and Hofstra transfer, Chaz Williams leads the offense while the supporting cast does a great job of executing their roles on both ends of the floor. Raphiael Putney is a fun player to watch, if he can play under control he could help lead the Minutemen to the Sweet 16!
Rhamel Brown plays big for Jaspers Manhattan Jaspers / 25 - 7
Conference: MAAC (15 - 5)
Big Wins: @ LaSalle, @ South Carolina, @ Illinois State
Top Players:
# 24 - Sr - G - George Beamon 19.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.2 SPG
# 31 - Sr - G Michael Alvarado 12 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4 APG
# 5 - Sr - C - Rhamel Brown 10.1 PPG 6 RPG, 3.6 BPG
Although the Jaspers come from a very weak conference and they haven't experienced much tournament success in their school's history - this could be the year! The formula for an upset is there; with a strong group of seniors leading the way, effective role players contributing minutes from the bench, and the team is riding a winning streak which usually carries over to the NCAA Tournament. Senior Guard Beamon is the main man on offense while Rhamel Brown is an undersized center that plays defense like a seven footer.
Conference: MAAC (15 - 5)
Big Wins: @ LaSalle, @ South Carolina, @ Illinois State
Top Players:
# 24 - Sr - G - George Beamon 19.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.2 SPG
# 31 - Sr - G Michael Alvarado 12 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4 APG
# 5 - Sr - C - Rhamel Brown 10.1 PPG 6 RPG, 3.6 BPG
Although the Jaspers come from a very weak conference and they haven't experienced much tournament success in their school's history - this could be the year! The formula for an upset is there; with a strong group of seniors leading the way, effective role players contributing minutes from the bench, and the team is riding a winning streak which usually carries over to the NCAA Tournament. Senior Guard Beamon is the main man on offense while Rhamel Brown is an undersized center that plays defense like a seven footer.
Saint Joe's wants to dance! St. Joseph's Redhawks / 21 - 9
Conference: Atlantic 10 (11 - 5)
Big Wins: @ Dayton, Vs. UMass, Vs. VCU
Top Players:
# 10 - Sr - G - Langston Galloway 17 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG
# 45 - Sr - F - Halil Kanacevic 10.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.4 APG
# 13 - Sr - F - Ronald Roberts 14.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG
Although St. Joe's NCAA resume may not jump off the page but their season should be enough to impress the judges and land them in the field of 68 come tournament time. Senior Guard Langston Galloway provides scoring from the outside while Halil Kanacevic is one of the most versatile big men in the nation. With a game similar to a poor mans Kevin Love, Halil usually fills up the stat sheet in a variety of ways giving the Redhawks a dynamic option on offense, If Saint Joe's sneaks into the tourney they are capable of advancing to the round of 32 or further depending on their match up.
Conference: Atlantic 10 (11 - 5)
Big Wins: @ Dayton, Vs. UMass, Vs. VCU
Top Players:
# 10 - Sr - G - Langston Galloway 17 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG
# 45 - Sr - F - Halil Kanacevic 10.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.4 APG
# 13 - Sr - F - Ronald Roberts 14.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG
Although St. Joe's NCAA resume may not jump off the page but their season should be enough to impress the judges and land them in the field of 68 come tournament time. Senior Guard Langston Galloway provides scoring from the outside while Halil Kanacevic is one of the most versatile big men in the nation. With a game similar to a poor mans Kevin Love, Halil usually fills up the stat sheet in a variety of ways giving the Redhawks a dynamic option on offense, If Saint Joe's sneaks into the tourney they are capable of advancing to the round of 32 or further depending on their match up.
Ivy Leaguers: Chambers & Saunders Harvard Crimson / 26 - 4
Conference: IVY League (13 - 1)
Big Wins: vs. TCU, vs. Boston College
Top Players:
# 1 - So - G - Siyani Chambers 11.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.6 APG
# 14 - Jr - F - Steve Moundou - Missi 10.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.3 BPG
# 23 - Jr - G Wesley Saunders14 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.9 APG
You wouldn't usually expect much from the Ivy leagues representative in the NCAA Tournament but don't let the conference fool you. Harvard is a good team, that is well coached, and capable of playing with most teams thanks to their exceptional back court duo of Chambers and Saunders. Harvard looks to repeat last years NCAA Tournament success (upset win in the first round) and push towards the Sweet 16 as this team is stronger than the season prior. Who are you calling nerds?!
Conference: IVY League (13 - 1)
Big Wins: vs. TCU, vs. Boston College
Top Players:
# 1 - So - G - Siyani Chambers 11.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.6 APG
# 14 - Jr - F - Steve Moundou - Missi 10.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.3 BPG
# 23 - Jr - G Wesley Saunders14 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.9 APG
You wouldn't usually expect much from the Ivy leagues representative in the NCAA Tournament but don't let the conference fool you. Harvard is a good team, that is well coached, and capable of playing with most teams thanks to their exceptional back court duo of Chambers and Saunders. Harvard looks to repeat last years NCAA Tournament success (upset win in the first round) and push towards the Sweet 16 as this team is stronger than the season prior. Who are you calling nerds?!
#3 D.Walker 1/ 4 SFA Players Avg 11+PPG Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks / 29 - 2
Conference: Southland (18-0)
Big Wins: @ Marshall, @ North Texas
Top Players:
# 0 - So - G - Thomas Walkup 12.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG 2.2 APG
# 25 - Sr - G - Desmond Haymon 14.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.8 APG
# 34 - Jr - F - Jacob Parker 14.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2 APG
Riding a 27 game winning streak the Lumberjacks (yes, that's correct) are as hot as any team in the nation right now. The only problem is that their strength of schedule was one of the weakest in the league - with not many impressive wins during the season. However winning 27 games in a row is no easy task, and the Lumberjcaks know that, so they will be playing with as much or more confidence than any team in the Tournament. With four different SFA players averaging over 11.5 points/game and a group that is not accustomed to losing this is not a team you want any of your Final Four picks matched up against in the 1st round.
Conference: Southland (18-0)
Big Wins: @ Marshall, @ North Texas
Top Players:
# 0 - So - G - Thomas Walkup 12.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG 2.2 APG
# 25 - Sr - G - Desmond Haymon 14.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.8 APG
# 34 - Jr - F - Jacob Parker 14.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2 APG
Riding a 27 game winning streak the Lumberjacks (yes, that's correct) are as hot as any team in the nation right now. The only problem is that their strength of schedule was one of the weakest in the league - with not many impressive wins during the season. However winning 27 games in a row is no easy task, and the Lumberjcaks know that, so they will be playing with as much or more confidence than any team in the Tournament. With four different SFA players averaging over 11.5 points/game and a group that is not accustomed to losing this is not a team you want any of your Final Four picks matched up against in the 1st round.
#3 Joe Young leads Ducks top ranked offense Oregon Ducks / 23 - 8
Conference: PAC 12 (10-8)
Big Wins: @ UCLA, vs. Arizona, vs. Arizona State
Top Players:
# 0 - Sr - F - Mike Moser 13.6 PPG, 8 RPG, 1.7 APG
# 3 - Jr - G - Joseph Young 18.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.9 APG
# 12 - Sr - G - Jason Calliste 12.3 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG
Despite posting a mediocore conference record the Ducks have gotten hot just at the right time. With big wins over Arizona, and Arizona St, Oregon is ready to put their dancing shoes on. Joe Young, and Jason Calliste can put up points quickly while Mike Moser has been coming on very strong over the past month adding a productive scoring threat inside. The Ducks rank near the top of the nation when it comes to putting up points and with sharp shooters like Young and Calliste they are just the type of team that could light up the NCAA Tournament.
Conference: PAC 12 (10-8)
Big Wins: @ UCLA, vs. Arizona, vs. Arizona State
Top Players:
# 0 - Sr - F - Mike Moser 13.6 PPG, 8 RPG, 1.7 APG
# 3 - Jr - G - Joseph Young 18.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.9 APG
# 12 - Sr - G - Jason Calliste 12.3 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG
Despite posting a mediocore conference record the Ducks have gotten hot just at the right time. With big wins over Arizona, and Arizona St, Oregon is ready to put their dancing shoes on. Joe Young, and Jason Calliste can put up points quickly while Mike Moser has been coming on very strong over the past month adding a productive scoring threat inside. The Ducks rank near the top of the nation when it comes to putting up points and with sharp shooters like Young and Calliste they are just the type of team that could light up the NCAA Tournament.
