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College Basketball: How to bring back BracketBusters in the non-conference

By Tristan Freeman

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: Gonzaga Bulldogs fans cheer in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: Gonzaga Bulldogs fans cheer in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 16: A Nevada Wolf Pack fan cheers in the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 16, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 16: A Nevada Wolf Pack fan cheers in the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 16, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Quarterfinal Matchups

Saint Mary’s (WCC) – Illinois State (MVC)

If this matchup happened last year, it would be a toss-up. This year, however, the Gaels come in as the odds-on favorite for this fictional event. The Red Birds have absolutely nothing inside to go against Jock Landale with Deontae Hawkins leaving for Boston College. Add the slowest paced offense in the country that can be incredibly difficult to play against and you have Saint Mary’s moving on. Hypothetical Prediction: Saint Mary’s.

New Mexico State (WAC) – Vermont (America East)

The Catamounts of Vermont utterly dominated the America East conference, going undefeated in both the regular season and the conference tournament last season. The scary thought is they return their top three scorers as well.

While transfer guards Zac Lofton and A.J. Harris should make the Aggies a contender again in the WAC, it will take some time for the chemistry to come together. In this early season matchup, the experience and cohesiveness of Vermont should give them the advantage. Hypothetical Prediction: Vermont.

Dayton (A-10) – Florida Gulf Coast (Atlantic Sun)

Josh Cunningham, a transfer from Bradley, will look to take the lead role after suffering several injuries last season for Dayton. The departures of senior guard Scoochie Smith (graduation) and head coach Archie Miller heading to Indiana will likely force the Flyers to take a step back this season.

The Eagles, however, will be taking a step forward this year, going from “Dunk City” to “Transfer City.” Over 80% of this roster was not originally committed to Florida Gulf Coast, which will provide both a talent increase and a chemistry decrease.

These are relatively evenly matched teams and should provide a fun game, but the slight edge in both talent and coaching have the Eagles prevailing. Hypothetical Prediction: Florida Gulf Coast.

Nevada (MWC) – Western Kentucky (C-USA)

This matchup will be intriguing simply because both rosters are completely different from those of last year. For Western Kentucky, the appearance of star recruit Mitchell Robinson should make the Hilltoppers a program to watch for the entire season. The main question not only for this game, but all season is whether there’s enough talent around Robinson to win games like this.

There’s a chance Nevada will have five new starters, all being transfers that didn’t play for the team last year. While there may be some growing pains early on, this team could be the team from this tournament to possibly go deep in the Big Dance. Eric Musselman has shown to be a good recruiter thus far, now his coaching acumen will be put to the test. Hypothetical Prediction: Nevada.

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