Louisiana Tech
Record: 26-5 (16-2), RPI: 49
Coach: Michael White (’11-Present)
Key Wins Out Of Conference: Southern Mississippi
Projected: 12 Seed
Odd School Fact: Notable Alumni include former Utah Jazz star Karl Malone
Status: Play in Quarterfinals (WAC) on Thursday 3/14
I normally would not do this, but Louisiana Tech goes into the WAC Tournament on a two-game losing streak, dropping conference road games to New Mexico State and Denver, but I think being able to avoid Denver and New Mexico State till the championship game is a big advantage. One of the biggest qualities I see from the Bulldogs is a unique combination of high tempo and a very statistically efficient defensive team.
Louisiana Tech is in the top 35 in all three defensive categories — adjusted defensive, effective field goal percentage and turnover percentage. Ranking 7th in the country in opponent turnovers per game is part of the defensive package Louisiana Tech will need to navigate through the WAC. The most encouraging part about the Bulldogs’ bid for the NCAA Tournament is the fact “Team Rankings” gives Louisiana Tech a 61.1% chance at acquiring an at-large bid. As the number one seed in the WAC tournament, Louisiana Tech will have to win at least two games to be considered for an at large berth come Selection Sunday.
Pacific
Record: 19-12 (13-5), RPI: 109
Coach: Bob Thomason (’88-Present)
Key Wins Out Of Conference: (N) Xavier, (N) St. Mary
Projected: Bubble/15 Seed
Odd School Fact: Notable Alumni Include former No. 1 overall draft pick Michael Olowokandi.
Status: Play in Quarterfinals (Big West) on Thursday 3/14
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5fo-p1awrA&w=560&h=315]
Pacific’s top seven players consist of four seniors and three juniors that lead one of the most experienced teams in the country. Bob Thomason and Pacific are trying to get their first Big West Tournament win since 2009 and Thomason’s last, as he is retiring after 25 years at seasons end. The last time Pacific was in the NCAA Tournament was in 2006, when they had been there three years in a row and actually won two first round games. The Tigers open conference play Thursday against UC Santa Barbara, who they split a home-and-home with this year. If Pacific wants an opportunity to get back to the tournament they will most likely have to go through the No. 3-seeded Cal Poly and the No. 1 seeded Long Beach State. Pacific also split home-and-home with both Cal Poly and Long Beach State, which makes this tournament a real struggle for all participants.
Pacific had two very impressive early season wins against Xavier and St Mary in a tournament in Anaheim, California, the same location for the Big West Conference Tournament this week.
Southern Miss
Record: 23-8 (12-4), RPI: 39
Coach: Donnie Tyndall (1st Season)
Key Wins Out Of Conference: @ Georgia, vs Denver
Projected: Bubble/15 Seed
Odd School Fact: Notable Alumni include NFL former players Brett Favre and Ray Guy
Status: Play in Quarterfinals (Conference USA) on Thursday 3/14
If any team in Conference USA is going to attempt to mess with Memphis’ domination, I believe it has to be Southern Mississippi. In John Pastner’s four seasons of coaching Memphis, the Tigers have gone 52-12 in conference games and have won the postseason tournament three out of the last four years.
Southern Mississippi awaits the winner of the first round match up of UAB and SMU, whom the Golden Eagles are 3-0 against this season. One of Southern Mississippi’s conference losses came against Central Florida, who cannot participate in the post-season tournament because of an NCAA ban; they would have been the four seed. The Golden Eagles are currently in ESPN, Joe Lunardi’s, “First Four Out” section and “Team Rankings” gives them a 50.7% chance of being the field of 68 based on either being an automatic qualifier or even an at-large bid. At number 39 in the RPI and with five wins against teams in the RPI top 100, a run to the Conference USA title game should even get Southern Mississippi a bid .
The Golden Eagles biggest statistical strength comes in their offensive and defensive efficiency numbers. Southern Mississippi is in the top 35 in the country in offensive shooting, 2-point and 3-point percentage, while simultaneously holding opponents to the 97th worst 3-point percentage and the 58th worst shooting percentage.
Notable Mentions
Denver- Quarterfinal Game 3/14
Iona- Championship Game vs Manhattan 3/11
Ohio- Semifinal Game 3/15
Davidson- Championship Game vs College of Charleston 3/11
Boise State- Quarterfinal Game 3/14
Evan Abrams contributes gambling-related articles to SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter, where he goes by @Betropolitan.