NCAA Basketball: Top 2018-19 early season tournament fields
By James Bowers
Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis
Butler, Virginia and Florida are the draws for this Bahamian tourney. The event also features strong programs like Middle Tennessee State, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. The Blue Raiders had a season to remember in 2018, going 27-11 but missing the NCAA Tournament due to a weak SOS. Head coach Kermit Davis left for Ole Miss this offseason. Whether or not MTSU can repeat that glory under new head coach Nick McDevitt remains to be seen.
Oklahoma was obviously the home of college superstar Trae Young this past season. With him now off to the NBA, it is hard to imagine the Sooners will be able to recover. As for Wisconsin, they struggled this past year due to injuries and missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in what felt like forever. With every major piece returning, including star big man Ethan Happ, they will be a tough draw.
Florida begins its quest to better its second round NCAA run from last year. It’s a task made easier by the return of most of the Gators’ key contributors from 17-18. Jalen Hudson, KeVaughn Allen, and Keith Stone are set to come back to Coach Mike White’s squad. Butler welcomes back Aaron Thompson and Kamar Baldwin, among other key contributors. They should have adequate weaponry to face the field in this tourney as a preamble to a grueling Big East schedule.
Virginia looks to erase the memory of being the first-ever No.1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The shocking loss to UMBC ruined a 30-4 season for the Cavs. The returns of Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy, along with several others, will make UVA a preseason top-10 team.