This year, the Southern Conference teams can be divided into five easy to digest groups. As we head into the tournament, let's look at where each team falls and what each category even is. Teams in each category are listed in alphabetical order.
THE FAVORITE
The team that Vegas favors
Collge of Charelston- People around the SoCon don't seem to think they will win due to their checkered Tournament past. But the fact is that if you went to Vegas and bet, the Cougars would be the favorite. There's also little doubt that the Cougars have the most talented team. Could they finally break through and get it done? Possibly. But they are the clear favorite.
THE CHALLENGERS
The other teams with the byes
Chattanooga- The Mocs are at home, and have earned a first round bye. Given the tournament's past, that bye makes a huge difference. The Mocs have plenty of talent- but lack consistency. This team beat Furman by nearly 20 points on Monday, and then lost to Wofford by nearly 40 on Wednesday. Who knows which team will show up?
Western Carolina- The Catamounts won the North on Saturday with their home win over College of Charleston. They will be a very tough out in this tournament. They have enough talent to pull it off. They just need to come out and play good basketball. They will have a tough quarterfinal match-up against either Davidson or UNC-Greensboro, and if they get by that, could be facing Wofford.
Wofford- The reigning champs are peeking at the right time. They hammered Samford, Chattanooga, and Furman in their final three SoCon games. They are very good. They are not deep, but the bye makes that a little less important. A match-up with Donald Sims and Appalachian State in the quarters looms, so who knows. But the Terriers are very good.
THE SLEEPERS
Teams without byes that still have a reasonable chance to win it
Applachian State- The Mountaineers have Donald Sims and Omar Carter, and that gives them a shot in any game they play. This team is capable of making a big run in the SoCon with that offensive firepower. They could become the first team ever to win four games in four days.
Davidson- The Wildcats are the league's hottest team having won nine out of their last ten games. The early season struggles prevented them from getting a bye, but they could easily become the first team ever to win four games in four days. The coaching doesn't hurt things either.
Furman- One of the league's pleasant surprises has really struggled in their last three games. Last week at this time I considered Furman to be the team I was going to pick to win the tournament. Now, I'm not sure they can get by Samford on Friday. If they can get back to how they were playing, they could win four games in four days. But this team played the last week like a team that was not handling pressure well.
THE DARKHORSES
Teams that could get hot and get to the championship game
Elon- The Phoenix always seem to play their best basketball in the tournament. A couple of years ago they got all the way to the championship game from the BBIT. They played Davidson reasonably close in the championship game that year as well. This team has some offensive weapons, and is tough enough to pose some problems to any opponent.
UNC-Greensboro- The Spartans started playing better towards the middle, though they still struggled a bit at the end. But when you watch them play, they look like a team that could get hot shooting and make a run. They aren't the best team, by any stretch, but a couple of upsets in the tourney and finding themselves in the title game? Why not?
THE NO CHANCES
Teams that may win a game and be pleased
Georgia Southern- This team is the worst team in the league, but have been playing a bit better lately. They are athletic and could upset Appalachian State on Day One. But it is almost impossible to imagine them having anything left in the tank to win a second game.
Samford- The Bulldogs unique offensive style always makes them tough to play, so no one really wants to see them in the tournament. They are capable of beating Furman. But it is hard to imagine them getting further than that, although they have nearly beaten the Mocs twice.
The Citadel- The Bulldogs have Cameron Wells which makes them capable of pulling off an upset or two in the tournament. But, outside of the second half at Western Carolina, they have been the worst team in the conference over the last few weeks. They may pull off a first round win, but I wouldn't count on it.
No comments:
Post a Comment