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 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; UNC Wilmington Seahawks guard Craig Ponder (0) and Chris Flemmings (1) celebrate at the end of the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during the first round game of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; UNC Wilmington Seahawks guard Craig Ponder (0) and Chris Flemmings (1) celebrate at the end of the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during the first round game of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

CAA

Favorite: North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks

UNC Wilmington is a strong favorite to repeat as the CAA’s representative in March. They have several big pieces back, including First Team All-CAA Chris Flemmings. Preseason POY Flemmings has UNCW as a popular pick to make another postseason run. He averaged a strong 16.2 points, along with nearly six rebounds last year.

Leading distributors Denzel Ingram and Jordan Talley returned to direct the show, along with sniper C.J. Bryce (43 percent from three).

The front court is the big concern as they did not return anyone who played more than 16 minutes a night last year. However, undersized Marcus Bryan, plus depth pieces Chuck Ogbodo and Devontae Cacok, could be effective with opponents focusing on the perimeter.

It’ll be tough to unseat the Seahawks.

Dark Horse: Towson Tigers

The Tigers are a strong team down low this season. The returning players bring back 70 percent of both rebounding and blocks for what could be the strongest front court in the CAA. Last season, was a big surprise as Towson jumped from ninth the year before to a tie for third.

Forward Arnaud William Adala Moto headlines Towson’s roster with his 13.9 points and 8.3 rebounds. The key to keeping those numbers at that level in 2016-17 is improving on last year’s 44 percent shooting from the field. John Davis returns as the team’s best outside shooter at 38 percent and Mike Morsell is the likely point guard. Perimeter consistency is the big question for this group, but their forwards are talented.

Next: Conference USA

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