College Basketball: 2017 MGM Main Event bracket features solid teams

The bracket for the 2017 MGM Main Event features some really good match-ups for college basketball fans – even if there are few big name teams there.

The Heavyweight Bracket features the UNLV Rebels, Rice Owls, Ole Miss Rebels, and Utah Utes. On November 20 at 7:00 p.m. UNLV will play Rice, which will be followed by Ole Miss versus Utah at 9:30 p.m. The winners will play in the championship game on November 22 on ESPN2, while the losers will play on ESPNU.

The Middleweight Bracket features Eastern Kentucky, Prairie View A&M, Georgia State, and eastern Washington. Prairie View A&M will play Eastern Kentucky on November 20 at 11:00 a.m. followed by Georgia State versus Eastern Washington at 1:30 p.m. Like the Heavyweight Bracket, the winners will face off in the championship game on November 22, while the losers do the same.

You can view the full bracket here.

Ole Miss and Utah are clearly the heavyweights in the Heavyweight Bracket, but the two face off in the first game. Both should make a legitimate run at a 2018 NCAA Tournament berth this season, and it’s a real disappointment that they have to face off in the opening round. I expect whoever wins that game to win it all, while whoever loses to win the consolation game.

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The Middleweight Bracket is a bit harder to predict, but I’ll give it to Eastern Kentucky, who continue to build a really solid program. Watch out for Eastern Washington as well, but the loss of Jake Wiley is something to keep an eye on.