Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: The mid-major favorites and darkhorses

By Doug Winkey

Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; View of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders shirts worn during warm-ups prior to the game in the second round against the Syracuse Orange of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; View of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders shirts worn during warm-ups prior to the game in the second round against the Syracuse Orange of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Valparaiso Crusaders forward Jubril Adekoya (23), guard Tevonn Walker (2), guard Keith Carter (0), and forward Alec Peters (25) walk on the court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Valparaiso Crusaders forward Jubril Adekoya (23), guard Tevonn Walker (2), guard Keith Carter (0), and forward Alec Peters (25) walk on the court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Horizon League

Favorite: Valparaiso Crusaders

The Crusaders are one of the few mid-major teams popular enough to get a Sweet 16 nod right now. They narrowly missed the NCAAs after a conference tournament upset, but have the pieces to crush the Horizon in 2016. They entered this season having lost three starters and their coach, but optimism still holds for Valpo.

Must Read: Baylor upsets Oregon in Waco

Central to the team’s hopes is senior stretch forward Alec Peters. Peters is not just the best player in the Horizon League, but the best NBA prospect in the conference. The 6’9″ star averaged 18.4 points on 50 percent shooting (44 percent from three) in 2015-16. His ability to stretch the floor and battle down low means that the Crusaders won’t fall too far, no matter who supports him.

Dark Horse: Youngstown State Penguins

The Penguins went just 6-12 last year, but get four starters and the majority of last season’s production back to try to push up the standings. The front court is a mystery, but experience abounds with three seniors and six juniors on scholarship.

Junior guard Cameron Morse leads the Penguin charge. He could be the biggest challenger to Peters for Horizon POY. Flanking him are sniper Matt Donlan and point guard Francisco Santiago. Both are quality scoring threats.

6’11” senior Jordan Kaufman and 6’7″ junior Sidney Umude are the most experienced guys trying to keep opponents off the glass, but help is here with Arizona Western transfer Stefan Rosic. I like YSU to compete hard in the middle of the Horizon League.

Next: Ivy League

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