Dr Pepper Classic Field

KenPom Rankings:
High Point- 265
Austin Peay- 292
Chattanooga- 297
Utah Valley- 303

KenPom Predictions for the 1st Round:

Chattanooga 56, High Point 55
Austin Peay 70, Utah Valley 69

Analysis

Chattanooga is considered the favorite according to KenPom. Well- a favorite in a tiny way. They are favored by one point against High Point, who is the highest ranked team in the field. The Mocs would likely be favored against either Austin Peay or Utah Valley, as well.

If anything, this means that there will be four thrilling games in Chattanooga this weekend. I mean, both first round games are predicted to be one point games. The second round games will probably be expected to be similarly close.

Will it be good basketball? Unlikely.

Utah Valley is 6-8 on the year, with two wins over Troy- one coming in overtime, and the other coming in double overtime. They have not won two in a row against D1 competition all year.

Austin Peay is 4-8, and has lost six straight against D1 competition. In fact, their most recent win over a D1 team was over Western Carolina. The only really bad loss of the bunch is a home game against Lipscomb, and even they are ranked higher than any team in this field.

High Point is 4-6, with six straight losses in D1. Their only two wins over D1 competition this came against UNCG and Appalachian State. They will go for 3-0 in the SoCon against the Mocs in the first round.

The Mocs are 3-8 with four straight losses against D1 competition.

In other words, this will be a very exciting weekend, even if the basketball is far from great. We'll see what develops with all of these teams after the Christmas break.

GO MOCS!