Saturday, February 19, 2011

America BEasts: BracketBuster Saturday Preview

So I'm 2-1 so far picking AE games so here's my go at trying to see how the BEasts will do this weekend in their ESPN BracketBuster matchups against teams from other mediocre conferences this afternoon and evening:

Stony Brook vs. Manhattan: The Seawolves have been a disappointment after last year's great regular season run (mostly due to injuries) but Manhattan is just godawful. Their only road wins on the way to 5-22 are against equally horrible NJIT and Marist.
Verdict: Stony Brook, 62-55

Vermont at Coll. of Charleston: Two teams that are 13-2 in conference and putting together really great seasons, both rated in the Pomeroy top 100 (UVM 100, Charleston 71...higher than BC!) Vermont's won 15 of 17 and 9 in a row, but Charleston has performed similarly in a somewhat tougher conference. Also CoC has a quality win against Tennessee earlier in the year. Vermont's best win, on the other hand is Iona. The Cougs always put up a good amount of points, but Vermont seems to not give many up. In the end, I gotta go with the more proven home team, but I don't think they blow out the Cats.
Verdict: Charleston, 75-67

UNH at Marist: Marist is just so so bad and UNH has won enough by overcoming injuries to be a midpack team in the AE with the potential for a .500 finish. Roll 'Cats!
Verdict: UNH, 67-59

Maine at Siena: Talk about steps back! Since Fran McCaffery flew the coop to go coach at Iowa the Saints have gone downhill in a hurry, and are likely not to finish at 500 in the MAAC final standings. Penn State trumps Georgia Tech in the battle of best NC win between these two teams. Both teams come in riding four-game losing streaks and are in need of a win to get back on track. Maine has given up 70 in all of their last 5 games (going 1-4) after riding good defense to a 8-1 conference record. Siena has proven to be beatable at home and Maine can win on the road.
Verdict: Maine, 68-63

And in the only conference game of the day:
Hartford at UMBC: Both teams are just so, so bad. Buckle up, this is gonna be an ugly, ugly game.
Verdict: Hartford 58-53

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