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 Drake Bulldogs guard Tucker DeVries (12) reacts with guard Sardaar Calhoun Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Cayman Islands Classic

Cayman Islands, November 19-21

If you enjoy mid-major basketball, the Cayman Islands is the place to be Nov. 19-21 because the field in paradise is littered with the type of teams that give opponents headaches in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The field is led by MVC favorite Drake (2-0) who takes on the Oakland Grizzlies (1-2) out of the Horizon League. The other half of that bracket sees Loyola Marymount (2-1) who has been trending upward in the WCC over the last couple of seasons, in a contest with Stephen F. Austin (2-1) who experts think will finish just behind Grand Canyon in the WAC

. The other two games pit Marshall (1-1) against the Utah State Aggies (2-1) and the FIU Panthers who have one more chance to get their first win of the season on Wednesday night against Houston Christian, before they head to the Caymans to face perennial Mid-American favorite, including this season, the Akron Zips (3-0).

This is one of those tournaments that should have an old-school ESPN Bracket Busters feel to it on all three days. Another good thing about this field in my opinion is that wins will be good for the victors, but losses shouldn’t really hurt from a resume perspective given how early in the season it is.

Drake, Stephen F. Austin, Loyola Marymount, and Akron were all chosen to finish in the top four of their respective conferences and enter the tournament with a combined record of 9-2. The other half of the field, Oakland, Marshall, Utah State, and Florida International may not have been chosen as high but have reputations as tough mid-major teams. This should be a really fun three days, and when it’s over we should have a good idea of teams that could be Cinderellas when March comes around.

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