College Basketball: Early Auto-Bids Full Of Bracket Busting Potential
By Jacob Rude
Dec 18, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers guard
Josh Cameron(3) brings the ball up court against Mississippi Rebels guard Ladarius White (10) during the game at C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum. Mississippi Rebels defeat the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 71-68. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
6. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Busting Bracketology – 16th seed/play-in game, Midwest Region
The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (no, I didn’t know what that was either. After reaching out for an answer on Twitter, I was informed it’s a “mythical rooster thing.” Works for me) have the unenviable task of coming in as a likely 16th seed in the tournament. Our current Busting Bracketology has them facing the Villanova Wildcats and their efficient, high-octane offense.
No matter who their opponent is, you’d be silly to write the Chanticleers (the name’s growing on me) into the second round. They rank 167th in effective field goal percentage and 127th three-point field goal percentage. Their calling card has been their defense, but this team hasn’t seen anything close to a team they’ll see in the opening rounds of the tournament. They’re RPI of 128 features zero wins over teams in the top 50 and just two wins over anyone in the top 130 (home and road wins against High Point).
Unless you really fall in love with the name Chanticleers. It’s growing on me.