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NCAA Basketball: 2018 Myrtle Beach Invitational preview and predictions

By Brian Rauf

MORGANTOWN, WV - JANUARY 24: head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks on from the bench in the first half during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at WVU Coliseum on January 24, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - JANUARY 24: head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks on from the bench in the first half during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at WVU Coliseum on January 24, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Sagaba Konate #50 of the West Virginia Mountaineers dunks the ball during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Sagaba Konate #50 of the West Virginia Mountaineers dunks the ball during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Bottom half of bracket

Valparaiso Crusaders
Traditionally one of the better mid-major programs in the country, Valpo’s debut in the Missouri Valley was a disaster last season. However, they have higher expectations this year with the return of Bakari Evelyn, 7-2 big man Derek Smits, and Providence transfer Ryan Fazekas.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
WKU is one of the most talented mid-major teams in the country and I think are ready to have a breakout season. Five-star center Charles Bassey is a projected first-round pick and guard Taveion Hollingsworth is a budding star. Head coach Rick Stansbury’s squad has a good amount of depth, too.

Monmouth Hawks
Monmouth was perhaps the best team in the MAAC a few years ago but are projected to finish fifth this year. They play fast and exciting but might be the least talented team in the field.

West Virginia Mountaineers
Buffalo ruined West Virginia’s season opener with a 99-94 overtime win over the Mountaineers, and while it was an upset for the No. 13 team in the country to lose at home, the Bulls are a good team. WVU is replacing star guards Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles Jr. but big man Sagaba Konate looks poised to be an All-American candidate.

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