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More Vegas-ball, with plenty of byes.
When and Where
Tuesday, March 8th through Saturday, March 12 with first round games at Michelob Ultra Arena (Mandalay Bay), and the rest at the Orleans.
How to Watch
ESPN+ for everything but the final, which will be shown on ESPNU
Defending Champ
Grand Canyon took its first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament last year, only needed two wins with a pared back bracket due to ineligible teams a Chicago State peacing out early
Regular Season
Pretty even at the top, but with different amounts of games played, I really wonder about how the seeding lines up here. I think Grand Canyon got the shaft when it comes to the bracket, but I suppose all they had to do was win more games and that takes care of itself.
Format
10 teams in this season. Dixie State and Tarleton State will sit out due to being ineligible while in their transition period. Cal Baptist is also ineligible, but is being allowed to compete for reasons that are not clear to me. Lamar is eligible, but just sucks at basketball and will not compete in the 10 team bracket.
Similar to the WCC, the single/double/triple bye system is in place, with the top two seeds already into the semifinals.
March Fate
Another preview, another 12 seed for me. Like a bad gag on a sitcom.
Betting Odds
Seattle is a nice story, but not sure how that translates to tourney play. New Mexico is the blue blood with long term dominance in the league, Grand Canyon won last year and is likely just as good this season, and the transfers from the Southland add some spice to the top of the standings.
Andy’s Betting Pick
Tough break for Grand Canyon landing in the 4 spot. I really do think they are nearly as good as NMSU, but having to play them in the semis is a bad deal for a price that low. A team I really like is Stephen F Austin. One of the aforementioned Southland teams that came over, they played tough all year, have beaten BOTH top seeds and is a nice, balanced team that can get sloppy at times but, you know how I am about forgiving a team with one fatal flaw this time of year.