Bracketology 2024: 5 MTEs that will impact the bracket in March

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 23: Oumar Ballo #11 of the Arizona Wildcats holds the championship trophy and poses for a photo with his team after winning the championship game of the Maui Invitational against the Creighton Bluejays at Lahaina Civic Center on November 23, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

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Bracketology Vermont Catamounts forward Matt Veretto Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Myrtle Beach Invitational

November 16-17, 19, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Myrtle Beach Invitational which begins on Thursday consists of a field littered with likely double-digit seeds (should they make the tournament) like Charleston, Vermont, Furman, and Liberty who will be looking to build their resumes. Even though the foursome is unlikely to be involved in an at-large discussion, wins in this tournament would certainly help their seeding profile. Not only do these four teams make up the field, but they are also facing each other in the first round. Charleston (1-1) takes on another cat in the Vermont Catamounts (2-0) and Furman (2-0) does battle with the Liberty Flames (2-0).

Charleston has turned into one of those mid-major darlings but is headed down to Myrtle Beach looking to right the ship after losing to Duquesne their last time out. They have plenty of opportunities for big wins after this tournament with games against Kent State and FAU, but if they want to think about being in the at-large conversation, coming home with the trophy against this field could say a lot. Vermont on the other hand has a big opportunity to improve their seeding profile in this tournament. The Catamounts have owned America East and are once again the favorites, but it’s results in these tournaments that could mean the difference between a No. 15 seed and a No. 13 seed.

Liberty no longer has Darius McGhee but they are still a dangerous team that is off to a 2-0 start, but this game against Furman is their toughest test thus far. Much like Vermont, for both Liberty and Furman, this MTE is about a possible seeding bump come March. Furman also enters the tournament unblemished coming off a 99-76 win over Belmont in their last game. The Paladins have lost a lot of production, but they have veteran guards like JP Pegues and Marcus Foster leading the way so far.

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