Busting Brackets
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WAC Basketball Tournament: New Mexico State once again the favorite in 2019

By Connor Hope

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: The New Mexico State Aggies pep band performs during the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament against the Grand Canyon Lopes at the Orleans Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: The New Mexico State Aggies pep band performs during the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament against the Grand Canyon Lopes at the Orleans Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 09: Head coach Jim Hayford of the Seattle Redhawks looks on during his team’s semifinal game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament against the New Mexico State Aggies at the Orleans Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. New Mexico State won 84-79. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 09: Head coach Jim Hayford of the Seattle Redhawks looks on during his team’s semifinal game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament against the New Mexico State Aggies at the Orleans Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. New Mexico State won 84-79. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Quarterfinals Predictions

(1) New Mexico State vs (8) Chicago State

Thursday, March 14 at 3:00 pm ET on ESPN +

This one shouldn’t even be close when all is said and done. New Mexico State has once again become a near Top 25 team, while Chicago State is perhaps the least efficient team in the entire country. Even if the Aggies were to play zero defense, which isn’t going to happen, they will still most likely win this game by double digits.

Projected Winner: New Mexico St.

(4) UT Rio Grande Valley vs (5) CSU Bakersfield

Thursday, March 14 at 5:30 pm ET on ESPN+

On paper, this is probably the best matchup of the Quarterfinals round, with the schools splitting their regular season games. Both regular season meetings were tight games, and the second meeting even went to overtime. CSU Bakersfield may have the best player on the floor, in Jarkell Joiner, but UTRGV’s defense and team play could give the Roadrunners a ton of issues.

Projected Winner: UT Rio Grande Valley

(2) Utah Valley vs (7) UMKC

Thursday, March 14 at 9:00 pm ET on ESPN+

Utah Valley enters this game on a seven-game winning streak, and is clearly the second best team in the WAC. With the conferences second worst scoring defense, UMKC will have they work cut out for them entering this quarterfinals games. Xavier Bishop and Brandon McKissic may be able to outscore the Toolson cousins, but the role players for the Kangaroos will need to step up as well.

Projected Winner: Utah Valley

(3) Grand Canyon vs (6) Seattle

Thursday, March 14 at 11:30 pm ET on ESPN+

After a relatively strong nonconference performance, Seattle’s injuries led to a disappointing January. Now that everyone is back, the team is riding a three game winning streak to close the season, including a win over Grand Canyon in the regular season finale. Grand Canyon has had a similarly inconsistent season, and may have underperformed this season. This game comes down to whether or not the hot hand can overcome a moderate disparity in talent.

Projected Winner: Seattle