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NCAA Basketball: 2018 MGM Main Event preview and predictions

By Jason Burgess

GAINESVILLE, FL - JANUARY 19: Head coach Ben Howland of the Mississippi State Bulldogs gestures during the game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 19, 2016 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - JANUARY 19: Head coach Ben Howland of the Mississippi State Bulldogs gestures during the game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 19, 2016 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Members of the Iona Gaels walk off the court defeated after their 67-89 loss to the Duke Blue Devils in the game during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Members of the Iona Gaels walk off the court defeated after their 67-89 loss to the Duke Blue Devils in the game during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Middleweight Bracket

Utah Valley (1-3)

The Utah Valley Wolverines have struggled out of the gate. After an opening night win over Division II Westminster, the team has failed to reach the win column, falling to BYU, Saint Mary’s and Utah State. Head Coach Mark Pope’s squad has struggled offensively since opening night, averaging just 58 points per game since. Junior guard Jake Toolson has been the team’s top offensive weapon, averaging 13.8 points per game, including a 14-point, five rebound effort against his old team, BYU. Offensively, the team has been balanced, they just haven’t been all that productive, that will have to change for them to challenge in the middleweight bracket.

Hartford (1-3)

Hartford is a trendy pick to win America East, but the Hawks have gotten off to a slow start. Coach John Gallagher and his team have gotten off to a 1-3 start. After falling in their first three games to Central Connecticut State, Utah State, and Mississippi State by an average of 17 points they bounced back to beat Quinnipiac 68-54 on Thursday.  Uniquely, in their first three games, the Hawks were led in all three major categories by the same player. On opening night that was senior forward George Blagojevic, followed by senior forward John Carroll in the loss to Utah State and guard Jason Dunne in the team’s 77-59 loss at Mississippi State.

Iona (1-1)

The Iona Gaels have long been a favorite in the MAAC, but this offseason dealt them a big blow when leading returning rebounder Roland Griffin was dismissed from the team after punching an assistant coach. Unlike most teams in the event, head coach Tim Cluess’ team has only played two games before heading to Las Vegas. On opening night, the Gaels squeaked out a 72-68 win over Albany led by senior guard Rickey McGill who had 12 points and nine assists. In the team’s second game against New Mexico, the Gaels gave the Lobos everything they could handle, ultimately falling 90-83. Iona had five players in double figures but only shot 40% from the field. Iona is led by its guard combo of McGill and junior E.J. Crawford who are averaging 16.5 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists as a combo.

Long Beach State (1-3)

As always, head coach Dan Monson has challenged his team early on. Having already played at UCLA, Arizona State, and Mississippi State. While the team sits at 1-3, with its lone win coming against Menlo College, they will certainly be more tested than any other team in the middleweight bracket. Senior guard Deishaun Booker, who is a native of Las Vegas, has averaged 16 points and 3.3 assists so far this season, including 31 and four in the season-opening loss to UCLA. It will be interesting to see how the tough early tests will prepare them for the other teams in their bracket.

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