The Pure Hoops Quick Hitters

Ohio State has had an up and down season with a 12-1 start and an uneven finish with 13 losses in their last 20 games. They have the potential to put up big numbers and are very good defensively, but they haven’t been able to put it all together recently. But if they do, they could cause some damage as an 11 seed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yale has a big time NBA prospect in Miye One, who averages 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game and he creates for himself and his teammates. Jordan Bruner is a 6-9 forward who used to play the point and is one of the most versatile players in the tournament. They play the a fast pace and are a very dangerous 14 seed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Old Dominion is strong defensively and controls the pace, allowing them to keep the scores low. They’ve won 15 of their past 18 games coming into the tournament. BJ Stith is a transfer from Virginia who leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and three point makes. He is the son of former NBA player Bryant Stith, who is an assistant coach for the team. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New Mexico State may be the hottest team in the field as they enter the tournament on a 19 game winning streak. They don’t have a “go to” guy, but they are balanced and get great performances from their backcourt. They face a tough Auburn team in the first round, but hope to ride their momentum to a first round upset. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Saint Louis might be one of the most improbable stories in this year’s tournament. They came into the Atlantic 10 Tournament on a cold streak, having lost 3 of their last 5 regular season games, but then won 4 straight in the A-10 tourney to clinch a spot in the big dance. They are a good defensive team, but struggle for consistency. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Abilene Christian makes its first NCAA Tournament appearance and the run has been even more miraculous because they overcame the loss of two stars due to their dismissal from the team. While it would be a miracle of enormous proportions for them to even win one game, they’ll hope to ride the play of Jaren Lewis, Payton Ricks, and Jaylen Franklin to a first round shocker. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Belmont has only one loss since January 17th and has shown the ability to win big games. They score a lot of points led by Dylan Windler, who has drawn comparisons to NBA player Doug McDermott. Windler averages 21 points and 11 boards. This team beat UCLA at Pauley Pavilion and passes the ball well. They are under the radar now, but that could change quickly. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Montana features a talented and experienced backcourt. They also have tournament experience from last season, having almost beaten 2018’s runner up Michigan in the first round. While they are not great defensively, they do play efficiently on offense. Senior guard Ahmaad Rori, who comes out of the Seattle/Tacoma cradle of guards averages nearly 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game to lead the Grizzlies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Arizona State plays with energy and passion, but can be inconsistent. They beat then top ranked Kansas earlier in the season and had non conference wins over two other tournament teams: Mississippi State and Utah State. And they’ll score a lot of points behind Remy Martin, Zylan Cheatham, and Lu Dort. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

UC Irvine is peaking at the right time as they ride a 16 game win streak into the tournament. They’re solid defensively and have good size up front. Their guards can shoot from 3 point range. They’ve beaten three NCAA Tournament teams in the non-conference and could very well be one of the surprise teams in the field. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Minnesota is back in the dance after missing out last season. They can be inconsistent, but their defense never takes a night off. Richard Pitino has solid talent on the floor in 6-6 senior Jordan Murphy, a double double machine as well as 6-8 Amir Coffey, a solid all around performer, and 6-10 freshman center Daniel Oturu. If Coffey is on, the Gophers are a threat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marquette has great guards who can light it up, especially Markus Howard. The 5-11 junior scores over 25 points a game. Brothers Sam And Joey Hauser provide lots of depth. They have several excellent non conference wins and are a dangerous opponent. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mississippi State under coach Ben Howland is solid at both ends. Senior Guard Quinndary Weatherspoon is explosive and has great shooting range. Tyson Carter and Lamar Peters are solid guards who are both capable of going on hot streaks. And they have quality non conference wins over Cincinnati and Wofford. Could be a real sleeper in the tournament. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Temple hopes to make legendary coach Fran Dunphy’s final dance a memorable one. Their high scoring backcourt led by junior Shizz Alston gives the Owls a chance to go far in the tournament. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Colgate represents the Patriot League and has won 11 straight games heading into the tournament. They are suspect defensively but will try to keep the pace very slow to compensate. Rapolas Ivanauskas is a big time talent and Jordan Burns averages 15 and 6 with a 35 point game in the conference championship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.