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 12, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Buffalo Bulls guard Blake Hamilton (facing) celebrates winning the MAC conference tournament championship at Quicken Loans Arena. The Buffalo Bulls won 64-61 over the Akron Zips to advance to the NCAA Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Buffalo Bulls guard Blake Hamilton (facing) celebrates winning the MAC conference tournament championship at Quicken Loans Arena. The Buffalo Bulls won 64-61 over the Akron Zips to advance to the NCAA Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

MAC

Favorite: Buffalo Bulls

The Bulls are my top team coming out of the MAC East this year. They seek to repeat their impressive NCAA Tournament run from a year ago. Coach Nate Oats led his team to an upset of MAC favorite Akron on the strengths of decent defense and hectic tempo.

Despite the loss of point guard Lamonte Bearden to Western Kentucky, the Bulls returned 62 percent of their scoring. Several new faces, including three three-star recruits, also came to Buffalo as one of the top recruiting classes in the MAC. Point guard is the battle to watch between Indian Hills [IA] CC transfer Dontay Caruthers and freshman Davonta Jordan.

Second-year coach Oats is building a power in western New York.

Dark Horse: Northern Illinois Huskies

Several teams in the MAC West could challenge at the top this year, but I am going with NIU to make some noise. The Huskies from Skokie, IL did a good job slowing teams down last year while maintaining some tough, balanced scoring. The MAC West team is solid from top to bottom again this year.

Three double-figure scorers are back, perhaps none more important than senior center Marin Maric. The Croatian bruiser put up 11.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a game last year. He provides a true anchor on both ends of the court.

Marshawn Wilson is superb outside (41 percent from deep) and small forward Aaric Armstead is capable of doing almost everything. Point guard is again the battle to watch as sophomore Laytwan Porter tries to avoid more trouble (suspended in April for marijuana) and avoid getting passed by heralded freshman Eugene German.

Next: Missouri Valley Conference

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