Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Picking winner of each conference tournament for 2022-23 season

By Bryan Mauro

Xavier Musketeers guard Souley Boum (0) and Xavier Musketeers guard Colby Jones (3) walk back to the bench during a timeout in the second half of a college basketball game between the Villanova Wildcats and the Xavier Musketeers, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at Cintas Center in Cincinnati. The Villanova Wildcats won, 64-63.Villanova Wildcats At Xavier Musketeers Feb 21 0152
Xavier Musketeers guard Souley Boum (0) and Xavier Musketeers guard Colby Jones (3) walk back to the bench during a timeout in the second half of a college basketball game between the Villanova Wildcats and the Xavier Musketeers, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at Cintas Center in Cincinnati. The Villanova Wildcats won, 64-63.Villanova Wildcats At Xavier Musketeers Feb 21 0152 /
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NCAA Basketball
NCAA Basketball Iona Gaels guard Walter Clayton Jr. Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports /

MAAC

Dates: March 7th-11th

Boardwalk Hall

Top Seed: Iona Gaels

Winner: Iona Gaels

It does not usually matter how good the Gaels are when they head to March. Iona has made a living of winning the MAAC tournament and when they don’t it is a surprise. That is why last year hurt so much for Coach Rick Pitino and his team. The Gaels were one of the best teams in the conference last year before they were upset in the conference tournament, St Peter’s won the league and we all know how the rest goes. This year Iona is the class of the league again but the only difference is that they are embracing playing with the target on their back. They are ready for the challenge and have bolstered the roster to make them a tough out for anyone in the NCAA tournament.

Do not ever count out coach Rick Pitino and his ability to get the most out of his team especially when the games are magnified. The Gaels have all the pieces to win the MAAC tournament in Atlantic City. If Nelly Junior Joseph, Walter Clayton, and Daniss Jenkins get hot in the tournament it will be a long day for everyone.

Sleeper: Quinnipiac Bobcats

I mentioned earlier how real of a chance there is for Quinnipiac to finally make the NCAA tournament. They are going to have to get past Iona first to win the league but that is a real possibility. Quinnipiac started out the season hot before faltering a little bit in conference play but they are still dangerous because they have a lot of high-efficiency scorers and experience. The experience can go a long way toward a run in March. The Bobcats have been in a position similar to this before but they did not get the job done in the postseason.

Quinnipiac is going to be a team that no one is going to want to face come tournament time. They do a lot of things well but they are physical and have some creative plans to get the ball in the basket. It is a tall task for Quinnipiac but one they will be ready for whatever the tournament throws at them. The MAAC tournament is always a ton of fun to watch every year and this year will be zero exception.

WAC

Dates: March 7th and March 9th-11th

Michelob ULTRA Arena and Orleans Arena

Top Seed: Utah Valley Wolverines

Winner: Sam Houston State Bearkats

We all know that Utah Valley may have the best record in the league, but Sam Houston State has the most depth and the most talent in the league. The Bearkats have been on the cusp of the tournament for the last couple of seasons but have never been able to get over the hump. This year is different as Sam Houston State has one of the best teams of the Jason Hooten era. Sam Houston State is one of the best defensive teams in the country as they allow less than 60 points per game.

On offense, they shoot threes at a very high clip and take smart efficient shots inside the arc. They used that philosophy to beat Oklahoma and Utah early on in the season. WAC Vegas should belong to the Bearkats especially if they make shots. If they are not making shots they are going to slow their opponents’ way down on the defensive end of the floor and make it painfully hard to score.

Sam Houston forces a ton of turnovers and gets out in transition to get the easy baskets. They are terribly hard to prepare for and are loaded with guys who can shoot. Qua Grant is their leading scorer and best defender and he is going to be a huge factor in every Sam Houston game from here on out. The Bearkats are looking for their first tournament appearance since the 2009-2010 season.

Sleeper: Grand Canyon Antelopes

Grand Canyon was the trendy pick to win the WAC this season. The Antelopes could just never truly go on a run to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. They ended up finishing in the middle of the pack in the league but still have assembled a roster that can absolutely win this league and spoil some seasons in the process. The Antelopes have a ton of experience and couple that with a bunch of guys who shoot the ball well from deep, rebound the ball well, and play all-around team basketball.

Grand Canyon gave Iowa a huge scare in the NCAA tournament a few seasons ago, if they do make the NCAA Tournament they are not likely to get very far because they have underachieved as a team. Grand Canyon shoots the ball well and takes good shots from inside the arc which leads to an overall good offensive approach. The Antelopes play great defense as most of the teams in WAC do. Grand Canyon tries to force teams into bad shots where they use their big men to rebound the misses and set up the offense. The Antelopes don’t have the same talent as the rest of the league but if they catch a team on a bad shooting night and they are making shots they can win the league.

Crazy things happen in Vegas and WAC Vegas probably won’t be any different. Well-coached teams with good shooters who do not beat themselves always have a chance and that is what Grand Canyon is.

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