WAC tourney

[The CPC]

Good afternoon Hoops fans, here is the moment you've all been waiting for, its time for The CPC to handicap this years WAC tourney. Looking around the league, this years tourney take on a certain urgency, becuase its looking like only the tourney winner will get a bid to the NCAA's and even then might get hit with a low seed, so this is everyones last chance to get an invite to the Dance. So, here we go:

1.) Fresnot State: at 12-3 they are close be being a mathematical lock to win the regular season title, and take the #1 seed at the tourney.
2.) Nevada/La. Tech. Tough spot, here. They split head to head, both have a win over Fresno, the team seeded above them. If the tourney were tomorrow, it would probably take a a coin flip to pick the #2, and this is an important spot, because it would mean being in the bracket opposite Fresno. La. Techs season finale at SMU may take on more importance, they may need that win to hang onto a good seed.
4.)Rice is a half game ahead of Tulsa right now, but lost to Tulsa, head to head. The Owls also have more games left to play, they have 6, and the rest of the league has just 4 or 5 left. A win this weekend would keep them in the top half of the conference.
5.)Tulsa. May have gotten over their midseason slump, and the tourney is on their homecourt, but unless they can move up in the seedings, they will be an underdog in every game, and have to see Fresno in the 2nd round.
6.) Hawaii and SMU currently tied at 7-7 in the league, they split head to head, but Hawaii has a win over Fresno this year, and that would give them the 6th seed, and make SMU 7th. Its important to move up out of this position, because seeds 7,8, 9, and 10 all have to play an extra game before the first round. The 7th seed would play 10 (UTEP) which is practically a guaranteed win, but then would have to play immediately the next day, without any rest.
8.) Boise State. Physical team that plays tough at home. But they need to go at least 4-1 over their remaining games to move out of this spot. Looks like they are stuck.
9.)San Jose. Surprised everyone by beating Hawaii last week. Has a chance to move past Boise, if they finish strong.
10.) UTEP. Bottom feeder. Unlikely to move up. Its a mystery how they managed to win 2 conference games at all.

Who you want to play: First round opponent you'd liek to see. UTEP obviously, a mediocre intramural team posing as a D1 basketball club. Or San Jose, a team that doesnt start anyone over 6'5". Unfortunately, these 2 will probably start by playing each other, and the winner gets to lose to Fresno in the first round. Hawaii would be the next best if you're looking for a patsy, they cant win anywhere outside of their own gym. Very likely first round knockout.

Who you dont want to see: Teams you'd rather avoid in the first round. Fresno, obviously, they've proven the can win almost everywhere. Tulsa would be the other, they had a slump at midseason, but seem to be finishing strong, and the games are in their gym. They're probably still the team with the best chance to upset Fresno.

Myteries: Could go either way. Nevada has been somewhat up and down this year. They've beaten everyone, but also lost some surprising games. Hard to say wether they will rise up or stumble. SMU is the other mystery, they were able to knock off Tulsa in Tulsa earlier this year, but we've all seen this team nosedive at the end of the season before. Could go either way.

[TUfan]

Wouldn't it be a little funny if say-- SJSU messed up everyone elses bracket, but beating Fresno on Thursday. Then who do you pick to win?


Here's a little schedule information that might offer some insigt into the seeding. This was written BEFORE this weeks games, so keep that in mind. A new one comes out on Monday (sometimes Sunday or Tuesday) of each week. <A HREF="http://www.tulsagoldenhurricane.com/cgi-bin/yabb/yabb.cgi/YaBB.cgi?board=bblmn;action=display;num=1045496608" TARGET=_blank>http://www.tulsagoldenhurricane.com/cgi-bin/yabb/yabb.cgi/YaBB.cgi?board=bblmn;action=display;num=1045496608</A>