Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Biggest takeaways from 2019 Charleston Classic

By Tristan Freeman

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 15: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Florida Gators celebrates in the game against the LSU Tigers during the Quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 15: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Florida Gators celebrates in the game against the LSU Tigers during the Quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 18: Buffalo Bulls players celebrate during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on December 18, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 18: Buffalo Bulls players celebrate during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on December 18, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Buffalo – Bulls are MAC favorites once again

After not only losing their head coach Nate Oats to Alabama and over 80% of their total production last year to graduation, it’s not unexpected that Buffalo Basketball became an afterthought coming into this season. However, that didn’t mean that the program was devoid of talent.

Returning guard Jayvon Graves has emerged as a star for the team, leading the team with over 15 ppg so far. Texas Tech transfer Josh Mballa is a solid interior player, while the other starters (Antwain Johnson and Davonta Jordan) were also impact players in this tournament.

The Bulls went 2-1 and pushed UConn in the opening match. Bowling Green and Toledo have looked great so far and every single team in the MAC is currently with at least a .500 record. A number of teams can win the conference this time around but Buffalo should absolutely be a part of the discussion. In fact, they might be the first name mentioned when it comes to the top teams.

Missouri State – Power conference teams do not want the Bears to win the MVC

Depending on how you viewed Missouri State coming into the season, they’ve either been a real disappointment or doing just fine. The influx of talented transfers put Dana Ford’s team right on the map and considered to be one of the top mid-major programs for 2019-20. But after losing to both Buffalo and Miami by a combined five points, the Bears are now 3-4 and must win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in March to make the Big Dance.

For the teams who are likely to get in, they’re hoping that an upset occurs in that particular tourney. Even those the final results haven’t gone their way, Missouri State has all the pieces to make some noise as a double-digit seed. Senior guard Keandre Cook and JUCO transfer Gaige Prim (who should either start or get some more minutes off the bench) have looked great and once big man Tulio Da Silva gets going, the Bears could run through the Missouri Valley. The Charleston Classic was just a taste of what they can offer.

Home/NCAA Basketball News