Mid-West Region Preview

Head to the printers and have a pencil handy...it's time to fill out your NCAA Tournament bracket. From college basketball junkies, to your co-worker that hasn't watched a game all year; everyone gets into picking who's going to go far in the big dance and who's looking at a historic upset.

I believe this year's bracket is probably the toughest I've had to fill out, especially the South Region. Could this be a redux of 2006 when an 11 seed in George Mason shocked the world and made the Final Four? Or will it be like 2008 when all four top seeds won their regions? It's hard to tell.

First Round Match-ups
[1] Kansas vs. [16] Lehigh
[8] UNLV vs. [9] Northern Iowa
[5] Michigan State vs. [12] New Mexico State
[4] Maryland vs. [13] Houston
[6] Tennessee vs. [11] San Diego State
[3] Georgetown vs. [14] Ohio
[7] Oklahoma State vs. [10] Georgia Tech
[2] Ohio State vs. [15] UC-Santa Barbara

Number one overall seed Kansas headlines this region, but they were also cursed with the toughest road to the Final Four. Big Ten champion Ohio State, surging Big East power Georgetown, and last year's runner-up Michigan State all are looking to knock off the Jayhawks. I do think Kansas will outlast the field and advance to the Final Four, but it's going to be a rough road.

Favorite: Kansas

- They are probably the most complete team in the field. Great starting line-up with talented guards and big men, a senior leader (Sherron Collins) who has Final Four experience, and a deep bench. There's a reason why they only lost two games all season.

Best Player: Evan Turner, F, Ohio State

- Turner had an incredible year and if he didn't get hurt mid-way through the season, we might be discussing one of the greatest seasons ever for a collegiate basketball player. He's cool in the clutch, does everything for his team and will carry the entire Buckeyes squad if his teammates falter.

Sleeper: Michigan State

- Never count out a Tom Izzo coached team. He got to the Final Four last season and almost everyone returns from that squad. Yeah, they didn't have the year everyone expected of them (I picked them to win the National Championship in the pre-season) but they are undefeated (5-0) as a five seed and if they get to the second round, they'll face a Maryland or Houston team with no tournament experience.

Cinderella: San Diego State

- There's really not a true Cinderella in this region. I only selected the Aztecs because they can win their first game and give their opponent (most likely the Georgetown Hoyas) trouble in the second. They're real hot right now, going from on the bubble to grabbing the Mountain West's automatic bid after defeating New Mexico and tournament host UNLV in the championship game. Oklahoma State is another team that could do some damage if James Anderson catches fire early.

Upset Alert: Tennessee

- Going into the tournament after getting beat down by rival Kentucky does nothing to help the Volunteers. I can't get a feel on these guys, because they're very inconsistent since losing Tyler Smith and crew mid-season. They hold wins over the Wildcats and Kansas, but have also lost by 15 at Georgia. I could see them getting past the Aztecs and giving Georgetown a game in the second round, or I can see them getting blown out.

First Round Predictions:
[1] Kansas over [16] Lehigh
[8] UNLV over [9] Northern Iowa
[5] Michigan State over [12] New Mexico State
[4] Maryland over [13] Houston
[11] San Diego State over [6] Tennessee
[3] Georgetown over [14] Ohio
[7] Oklahoma State over [10] Georgia Tech
[2] Ohio State over [15] UC-Santa Barbara

Second Round Predictions:
[1] Kansas over [8] UNLV
[5] Michigan State over [4] Maryland
[3] Georgetown over [11] San Diego State
[2] Ohio State over [7] Oklahoma State

Sweet 16 Predictions:
[1] Kansas over [5] Michigan State
[3] Georgetown over [2] Ohio State

Elite Eight Predictions:
[1] Kansas over [3] Georgetown

Tomorrow: West and East Region previews

Who wants to dance?

If you are near a television around 7:00 PM (EST) on Wednesday, tune into ESPN2. You will not regret it, trust me.

Robert Morris (22-11, 15-3 NEC) travels to Quinnipiac (23-8, 15-3 NEC) in a match-up between the conference's best. The winner will clinch an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament, while the loser will [most likely] settle for the NIT.

The Bobcats defeated the Colonials, 87-79, in their only regular season bout behind sophomore James Johnson's 28 points. Quinnipiac shot over 50 percent from both the field and behind the arc, while Robert Morris's star freshman guard Karon Abraham struggled (3-11 FG).

However, despite having the head-to-head win over the Colonials, Quinnipiac might come in as a bit of an underdog. Their play in the tournament so far has impressed few and their inexperience in these types of games could cost them. Robert Morris comes in after demolishing a red hot Mount St. Mary's squad; plus they have the experience in this game after winning last year against those same Mountaineers.

Let's break down the main areas, shall we?

BACKCOURT
RMU - Freshman Karon Abraham (13.3 PPG), Freshman Velton Jones (8.3 PPG), Senior Mezie Nwigwe (8.4 PPG)
QU - Sophomore James Johnson (12.2 PPG), Senior James Feldeine (17.1 PPG), Senior Jeremy Baker (9.2 PPG)

Quinnipiac's stats are inflated a little because of their lack of bench production [more on that in a bit]. However, all three of their starting guards are good shooters from all around the court, whereas Abraham is the only true three-point threat on the Colonials. Jones and Nwigwe get most of their points driving towards the basket and are usually left open for long range shots.

Advantage: Quinnipiac

FRONTCOURT
RMU - Senior Rob Robinson (10.1 PPG), Senior Dallas Green (6.5 PPG)
QU - Junior Justin Rutty (15.2 PPG), Junior Jonathan Cruz (5.3 PPG)

Both teams possess a player that made the all-conference team. Robinson has been finding his stride lately after struggling part of the season and Green has been an offensive threat the last two games with double-digit efforts. On the other side, Rutty is an absolute stud and won the NEC Player of the Year award, but Cruz isn't much to worry about with only four games over 10+ points. He's a solid defensive player, but nothing special.

Advantage: Push

BENCH
RMU - Freshman Russell Johnson (7.2 PPG), Junior Gary Wallace (5.8 PPG), Senior Josiah Whitehead (3.9 PPG)
QU - Junior Deontay Twyman (7.2 PPG), Freshman Jamee Jackson (4.0 PPG), Freshman Dave Johnson (4.0 PPG)

This is a total mismatch. Robert Morris has the deepest bench in the conference with three guys that could start for various teams throughout the NEC. Johnson is a very athletic forward that can shoot from outside or drive towards the basket, Wallace is a good defender and floor general and Whitehead is a good jumpshooter from inside the arc. For Quinnipiac, Twyman provides some instant offense but the two freshmen aren't threats whatsoever.

Advantage: Robert Morris

COACHING
RMU - Mike Rice
QU - Tom Moore

Rice's experience in these types of games gets the check. A Jamie Dixon clone, the Colonials head coach has done a fine job adjusting his rotation after senior Jimmy Langhurst was lost with a knee injury during late Decemeber. He also boasts a 72-29 record in his three years at Robert Morris. Moore is a former assistant under Jim Calhoun at UConn and is looking to lead the Bobcats to their first NCAA Tournament. They haven't been in the NEC title game since 2002.

Advantage: Robert Morris

PREDICTION

These two teams have been the NEC's best the entire time and it was a shame they only faced each other once in the regular season. If Quinnipiac has another hot shooting night, they should take it, but you can't expect them to shoot over 50% from the field and behind the arc again against the same team. This has all the makings of a classic, but the Colonials' experience and the momentum they have going for them after smacking down Mount St. Mary's gives them just enough to win.

Robert Morris 65, Quinnipiac 60

RMU/Mount St. Mary's - Round Three

Doesn't this seem familiar?

Robert Morris (21-11, 15-3) faces Mount St. Mary's (16-14, 12-6) on Sunday for the chance to play for the NEC's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The Colonials defeated Central Connecticut State 71-63 behind 16 points from freshman Karon Abraham while the Mountaineers got 13 points and nine rebounds from Kelly Beidler in their 65-50 win over St. Francis (PA).

These two squads know each other far too well. Sunday will be the third time they've played this season and it will also mark the third time in a row they've matched up in the NEC Tournament.

In 2008, the Colonials came into the semi-finals of the NEC Tournament as the conference's number one seed. However, the fourth seeded Mountaineers rode a 54% shooting performance from the field (including 50% from behind the arc) as they obliterated Robert Morris, 83-65.

But there would be revenge...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8MVZ1D8WDY

In 2009, the same two teams met up against at the Charles L. Sewall Center; this time for the NEC's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. With just seconds remaining, NEC Player of the Year Jeremy Chappell lost the handle trying to dribble in between two Mountaineer defenders and it was a loose ball. However, Dallas Green picked it up and hurried a shot, which calmly fell through the basket, giving the Colonials their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992.

In a game full of smack talk and technicals, Robert Morris got the best of Mount St. Mary's in their first match-up, 63-57. Senior Jimmy Langhurst led the Colonials with 11 points, but just a few weeks later the guard blew out his knee and his collegiate career was finished. The Mountaineers never held a lead the entire game, though it was close throughout the contest.

Then in a game played just last Saturday, the Mountaineers got a lay-up from junior Shawn Atupem to give Mount St. Mary's a 63-61 win over the defending NEC champions. Although the Colonials shot a much higher percentage than the Mountaineers (49% to 32%), the home team shot 35 foul shots to the visitor's 22, which made the difference.

Atupem and the Mountaineers come in on an 11-game winning streak while the Colonials have lost two of their last four. The stage is set for another great game and the victor should have all the momentum going into the NEC title bout against Quinnipiac or Long Island.

SEMI-FINAL PREDICTIONS
[2] Robert Morris over [3] Mount St. Mary's
[1] Quinnipiac over [4] Long Island

It's everyone's favorite time of the year.

Ah yes, it's conference tournament time. For some of the bigger schools, it's pretty confusing. Win so many games in the conference tournament and sweat it out on Selection Sunday. But for the smaller conference schools, it's much simpler.

Win the tournament or you're not invited to the dance.

The Northeast Conference doesn't possess the best talent but that doesn't stop the teams from providing exciting basketball. And the NEC Tournament should be no different; every team besides one has lost to one or more "inferior" (5th or worse in the NEC) teams in conference so don't be completely surprised to see some upsets.

8. Monmouth Hawks (11-18, 8-10)

Monmouth has some solid conference wins against Quinnipiac, Central Connecticut State, and St. Francis (PA) twice but come in as the bottom seed in the NEC tournament. However, that win at home against conference champion Quinnipiac gives them slight hope against the Bobcats in the first round, and having stud sophomore Travis Taylor (17.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG) back really helps.

Since returning from suspension, Taylor has put up 30 points twice but the Hawks have lost three straight. Overall, they are a dangerous team to pull the first-round upset with Taylor, but I couldn't see them going any farther.

7. Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (12-17, 9-9)

This only team I didn't see play live in this group. The Blue Devils needed a win on the last day against St. Francis (NY) to qualify for the tournament. They hold wins against Fairleigh Dickinson, Monmouth and Long Island, but used the two times they played Bryant (1-29, 1-17) to their advantage.

In their only match-up with the Colonials, they fell 60-69 despite junior Shemik Thompson's 16 points and seven assists. Again they will face the Colonials - this time in the Charles L. Sewall Center - and I don't think I can see an upset happening here.

6. St. Francis (PA) Red Flash (11-18, 9-9)

One word can describe this team: inconsistent. They hold wins over Mount St. Mary's, Fairleigh Dickinson, Long Island, Central Connecticut State, and Quinnipiac. However, they hold losses against Ohio State by 63, Monmouth twice by 10 and 29, and Wagner just on the last day of the conference schedule. They are fully capable of pulling the first round upset against the Mountaineers or they'll get blown out by 20.

Watching this team in person and looking over the statistics; it's obvious they depend on senior Devin Sweetney (16.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG) to do it all and they'll need him to be on his A-game otherwise it'll be a short NEC Tournament for the Red Flash.

5. Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (11-20, 10-8)

A very balanced squad is locked into the #5 seed for the NEC Tournament. Fairleigh Dickinson hasn't gotten blown out by anyone in conference minus Robert Morris, but they don't have a win over the top four seeds.

Four players are scoring in double-digits, led by sharp shooting senior Sean Baptiste (16.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG). However, after their four top scorers, they really lack the offensive firepower and their bench isn't all that deep. Could they beat their first-round opponent? Yes. Could they go any farther than that? Doubtful.

4. Long Island Blackbirds (13-15, 11-7)

They aren't much of a sleeper at the four seed, but if anyone can break through the top three's stranglehold to get the NCAA automatic bid, it's Long Island. They have wins over Robert Morris and Mount St. Mary's, but they also fell to Wagner.

Senior Jaytornah Wisseh (17.3 PPG,. 5.7 APG) leads the Blackbirds into the tournament, but this guard oriented team will need more production from their big men (most productive: Freshman Jamal Olasewere - 8.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG) in order to make a run towards the NEC Championship.

3. Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers (15-14, 12-6)

The Mountaineers are definitely the hottest team coming into the NEC Tournament, winning 10 straight games after losing on January 23rd at Long Island. They possess all the right pieces to make another run and ESPN pegged them as the favorites to take home the NCAA automatic bid.

Four-year starting guard Jeremy Goode (14.0 PPG, 4.4 APG) was pegged as the NEC Pre-Season Player of the Year by many media outlets and leads his team into a first-round match-up with the St. Francis (PA) Red Flash. He has help in the paint with junior Shawn Atupem (10.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG) and senior Kelly Beidler (10.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG). Atupem was actually the man who ended Robert Morris's reign at the top of the NEC standings as the junior hit a lay-up with seven seconds left to defeat the Colonials on Saturday night.

2. Robert Morris Colonials (20-11, 15-3)

No one is talking about the Colonials right now...probably just like they want it. The Colonials were picked to finish third in the NEC by multiple media sources and called it a "rebuilding" year of sorts for Mike Rice's team. However, they jumped into the conference lead early and didn't fall from the head until they lost Saturday night to Mount St. Mary's.

Robert Morris is a very deep team and plays usually nine players a game. Freshman Karon Abraham (12.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG) has been a pleasant surprise in his first campaign as the 5'9" combo guard has shown unlimited range from deep. Senior big man Rob Robinson (10.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG) is starting to find his game again late in the season and fellow senior Mezie Nwigwe (8.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG) is good for a few buckets every game.

This team has only lost to the top half of the conference, so don't expect them to fall to Central Connecticut State in the opener.

1. Quinnipiac Bobcats (21-8, 15-3)

Quinnipiac's the conference champ for a reason; an undefeated home record (12-0) and three players that can light a team up at any time.

Senior James Feldeine (17.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG) reminds me of Grevis Vasquez in a way, because both players wear their emotions on their sleeve. The 6'4" shooting guard has gone for 20 or more points in 13 games. Junior Justin Rutty (15.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG) leads the NEC in rebounds and is possibly the strongest and hardest working player in the conference. He can get any big man in foul trouble, but can always draw some offensive fouls himself. Sophomore James Johnson (12.0 PPG, 3.6 APG) opened some eyes when he exploded for 28 against Robert Morris a little more than two weeks ago.

The one weakness for the Bobcats is their inability to hold a large lead. They were up by 17 at one point against St. Francis (PA) before falling by five and held a 13 point advantage against Fairleigh Dickinson before almost blowing that in the final game of the regular season.

FIRST ROUND PREDICTIONS
[1] Quinnipiac over [8] Monmouth
[4] Long Island over [5] Fairleigh Dickinson
[2] Robert Morris over [7] Central Connecticut State
[3] Mount St. Mary's over [6] St. Francis (PA)

Antonio Cromartie needs to become a Tennessee Titan.

http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/15977/20100222/are_chargers_titans_potential_trade_partners/

Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie has been put on the trading block and are looking to acquire a runningback for him. Lately there has been whispers that the Tennessee Titans are possibly San Diego's dancing partner in the deal, as they have dangled restricted free agent runningback LenDale White for teams following the emergence of Chris Johnson.

This deal needs to happen...ASAP.

First of all, I'll be one of the first to tell you that Cromartie is an overrated player. He has a ton of athletic ability but is partial to contact and isn't an outstanding cover guy. He relies more on making a spectacular interception than just batting the ball down. However, he has had great success against Peyton Manning in his career and playing against him twice a year can really help the Titans' chances of overtaking them in the division.

Another reason why this trade needs to happen; it makes sense for both parties. The acquisition of Cromartie allows him to slide into the second cornerback slot and makes Nick Harper expendable. Harper had one of the worst years I've ever seen a cornerback have and at 34 years old, he simply doesn't have the ability to start for many teams any more. When you face a quarterback as good as Manning and a receiver as good as Andre Johnson twice a year, you simply need more than one good cornerback.

For the Chargers, following the release of LaDainian Tomlinson, they are looking for a younger runningback to fill his place. They have a talented small back in Darren Sproles, but at 5'6" he can not carry the full load. LenDale has starting experience and is the perfect complement to Sproles' quickness. This also closes a need in the draft and it can help them target a defensive lineman to help their awful rushing defense from last season.

A secondary of Cortland Finnegan, Antonio Cromartie, Michael Griffin and Chris Hope possesses a lot of talent and could scare many teams. If the trade does go down, then a defensive lineman such as Brandon Graham or Everson Griffen or a linebacker like Ronaldo McClain or Brandon Spikes should be announced as the Titans' first-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

These two moves could shore up the Titans' defense just enough to make them a legitimate contender for a Wild Card spot next season. The offense is just fine right now; it's the defense holding them back from their full potential.