The Little Guys, as Dick Vitale nicknamed them, are the heart and soul of what March college basketball is all about.
Every team. Every league. No matter how disappointing the regular season unfolded, a squad has the chance to live out its wildest dreams.
Championship Week, to some, is the indisputable best week of the entire season. The pressure. The drama. The unexpected twists and turns. It’s captivating. It’s riveting. It’s pure MADNESS. And for bettors, it presents an assembly line of opportunities.
[ Bracket Big Board: Brad Evans’ NCAA Tournament projections ]
Among true mid-majors — The American, Mountain West and WCC really don’t count — what value plays are worth your attention? Here’s a trio I’m most considering.
ATLANTIC SUN
The pick: Lipscomb (+300, MGM)
The Bison aren’t a meat best served sandwiched on a sesame seed bun. Yes, they’re without star guard Derrin Boyd, who sadly tore his ACL in early February, but they still pack plenty of firepower. Lennie Acuff’s crew enters the postseason having won seven of their last eight games. They’ve burned the nets to a No. 4 national ranking in eFG offense since Feb. 1, burying 57.6% from two and a downright fiery 42.1% from three. On the season, Joe Anderson, Will Pruitt and AJ McGinnis all shoot over 39% along the arc. However, Lipscomb views defense like a 101 level lecture in basic kinesiology — optional. It finished the A-Sun regular season dead last in eFG D, allowing a staggering 39.9% from three. Still, it was 1-1 against No. 1 seed Eastern Kentucky. Most enticing, the Bison are more than capable of breathing fire offensively over a multi-round stretch. If they accomplish that, they'll reach the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in school history. Kiss the Lips.
BIG SOUTH
The pick: UNC Asheville (+250, MGM)
In the Big South, the road to the NCAA Tournament typically travels through Asheville. Six times this century, the Kimmel Arena reps have busted a move into the field. Though not the top seed entering the postseason — that honor belongs to High Point — the Bulldogs pack the necessary bite to poop on the Panthers’ parade. Over the past 30 days according to BartTorvik's overall rankings, the two league front-runners are separated by only six spots. In its 18 conference games, UNCA ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in seven different offensive categories, including points per possession scored (1.136), 2-point percentage (54.3), 3-point percentage (38.2) and free-throw percentage (78.6). Not outdone on the opposite end, it boasted the stingiest defense in the conference (1.041 pts/poss allowed). Best of all, Mike Morrell trots out Drew Pember, who, at 6-foot-11, has the post and outside shooting skills to devastate defenses. He’s an undeniable NBA prospect. Feed the Bulldogs snausages, gamer.
COASTAL ATHLETIC
The pick: Hofstra (+325, MGM)
The artists formerly known as the Flying Dutchmen are well worth a Heineken swig or three. Over the last 10 games, only Charleston rates higher among league participants in BartTorvik’s advanced analytics, and the difference is marginal (No. 82 vs. No. 89). CAA Player of the Year candidate Tyler Thomas is the Pride’s roar. Wired to score, the senior guard topped 20 points 21 times in the regular season. Collectively, Hostra is dynamite offensively, racking the highest eFG in conference play. Impressively, it netted 56.8% inside the arc and 36.7% outside of it. Rebounding the rock was a weakness — it ranks 220-plus in offensive and defensive rebounding on the season — but it has guarded tenaciously of late, raising its defensive profile since Feb. 1 (No. 58 in eFG D nationally). Winners of 11 of their last 14, Speedy Claxton’s guys are a very strong contender. If they cut down the nets, their 23-year NCAA Tournament drought will mercifully come to an end.