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 Xavier Musketeers head coach Sean Miller Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Continental Tire Main Event

November 17,19, Las Vegas Nevada

The Continental Tire Main Event in Las Vegas starts on Friday, with the championship and consolation games will take place on Sunday. This is a four-team field that has San Diego State taking on the team picked to win the WCC, Saint Mary’s. The other matchup will see Xavier taking on the Washington Huskies. These matchups are intriguing and important for different reasons. First, San Diego State (2-1) and the Gaels (2-1) will not only be looking for a resume-defining win so far this year but also looking to prove they are worthy of the preseason hype they’ve gotten to begin the year. In the other matchup, both Xavier and Washington (2-1) will be looking to show that they will be more of a problem in their conferences than the polls think, with Xavier (2-1) being picked to finish 6th and the Huskies 9th.

The Aztecs find themselves headed to Vegas after beating Long Beach State in their last contest. They began the year with a win over Fullerton but struggled in a road loss to BYU. After reaching the national title game last season the Aztecs can use this trip to Vegas to iron some things out and show that last year was no fluke and that they are a force that is here to stay. Their first-round opponent, Saint Mary’s is out to show that the WCC is no longer Gonzaga’s alone. The Gaels are now 2-1 after being shocked by Weber State 61-57 last time out, and like the Aztecs, defense is their calling card, having allowed 119 points in their two Division I games so far.

Xavier is 2-1 after they lost to Purdue 83-71 on Monday night, after beginning the year with back-to-back wins over Robert Morris and Jacksonville. The Big East is loaded at the top and the Musketeers can use this tourney to show they will be in the mix for an at-large bid from the Big East. While Washington is unlikely to be in the NCAA Tournament conversation, they are 2-1 so far, and its senior Keion Brooks, Jr. leading the way so far averaging 24 points and eight rebounds in three games.

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