Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Top 5 early-season 2019-20 non-conference tournaments

By Ben Andreatta

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 21: The Gonzaga Bulldogs players and coaches pose for a photo after winning the 2018 Maui Invitational against the Duke Blue Devils at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 21: The Gonzaga Bulldogs players and coaches pose for a photo after winning the 2018 Maui Invitational against the Duke Blue Devils at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

ESPN Orlando Invitational

Maryland Terrapins (Big Ten)

Temple Owls (American)

Texas A&M Aggies (SEC)

Harvard Crimson (Ivy)

USC Trojans (Pac-12)

Fairfield Stags (MAAC)

Davidson Wildcats (A 10)

Marquette Golden Eagles (Big East)

Some all-around quality in the field for the Orlando Invitational that will tell us a lot about each of these teams. The only preseason ranked team is Maryland who comes in at number 7. Their first test of the season will likely from Temple. Temple returns two of their top three scorers but could find themselves in a transition year as Aaron McKie takes over the head coaching job from Fran Dunphy.

Harvard was picked to win the Ivy League in the preseason poll and should not be taken lightly, Bryce Aiken is back for his senior year for the Crimson along with Noah Kirkwood. The Aggies had a disappointing campaign last season in the SEC.

Two of the top three scorers return to the Trojans of USC as they look to build off an extremely disappointing campaign but they should take care of Fairfield with little problems. Davidson clashing with Marquette is going to mean a lot for both teams. Davidson is one of the favorites in the A-10 and Marquette is coming off a great season last year looking to remain towards the top of the Big East.

When it’s all said and done, if Maryland is as good as they are supposed to be they should win this. Plenty of teams in this field are going to be scrapping looking to add quality wins to their resume for March, Harvard is my sleeper team in this tournament, there’s a lot of quality in their side and they’re extremely well-coached with Tommy Amaker.

Predicted Winner: Maryland

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