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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Dec 16, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Winthrop Eagles forward Jarad Scott (35) goes for a rebound along with Alabama Crimson Tide forward Riley Norris (1) during the game at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama won 72-60. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Winthrop Eagles forward Jarad Scott (35) goes for a rebound along with Alabama Crimson Tide forward Riley Norris (1) during the game at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama won 72-60. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Big South

Favorite: Winthrop Eagles

Winthrop has long been one of the stronger teams in the mid-major ranks. Several Big South teams will take steps back this year, leaving the door wide open for the Eagles. Leading scorer Keon Johnson (18.7 points, 39 percent from downtown) leads a dangerous offensive squad that has suffered multiple heartbreakers over the years.

Flanking Johnson is match-up nightmare, Xavier Cooks. The 6’8″ swing man from Wollongong, Australia put up 14.7 points, 7.1 boards, 1.7 blocks and shot 39 percent from three. Very few people in the country can match-up with that, let alone the rest of the Big South.
Plenty of firepower on the team means that Winthrop should finally get to show the nation what they have been developing in South Carolina.

Dark Horse: Campbell Camels

The Big South is a mess after its prohibitive favorite. Campbell seems as likely as anyone to move up the rankings. While many other contenders lost important pieces, the Camels retained leading scorer Chris Clemons. The 5’9″ lightning bug averaged 18.5 points a night on 42 percent shooting from the floor.

Counting against Campbell is the fact that a few big contributors from last year are gone. If this team is going to challenge, then a combination of Kyre’ Hamer, Shane Whitfield, Khadre Lane, and Quinton Ray will have to step up on offense. Those four combined for only 23 points a game last year. This team also needs to step it up from the 322nd worst adjusted defense. With a conference in as much flux as the Big South, Campbell has a shot to challenge.

Next: Big West

Home/Mid Major Conferences