Bracket Busters Predictions

Dateline - McKeesport, PA

If ESPN is going to trot out 26 mid-major teams and pit them against one another under the guise of cross-strata competition while making a bunch of money off the whole deal...then I'm just going to have to predict the winners of each game. To make deadline, these are going to be quick.

Here are your winners of this weekend's Bracket Busters match-ups:

Friday, February 20th

Illinois St. (22-5, 11-5 MVC) at Niagra (21-7, 12-4 MAAC) - Both of these teams are probably the second best in each of their respective conferences. The Missouri Valley is the stronger conference, but I'm going with the home team because they need a moment of glory before losing to Siena in the MAAC Tournament. Winner - Niagra Purple Eagles

Virginia Commonwealth University (19-8, 12-4 Colonial) at Nevada (15-10, 8-4 WAC) - It makes no sense that ESPN would send VCU across the country to play this contrived Bracket Buster game...and that's exactly why they are going to win. Winner - VCU Rams

Saturday, February 21st

Northeastern (16-10, 11-5 Colonial) at Wright St. (16-11, 10-6 Horizon) - Northeastern has disappointed me all season. Wright St. plays in the best Mid-Major conference in the country. I hate to do it...but I gotta. Winner - Wright State Raiders

Liberty (20-8, 11-5 Big South) at Old Dominion University (17-9, 10-6 Colonial) - Both of these teams stink. There were better representatives in both of their conferences. Fortunately, the team that sucks less is also hosting this game. Layup. Winner - ODU Monarchs

Butler (22-4, 13-3 Horizon) at Davidson (22-5, 15-2 Southern) - Obviously the best and most marquee match-up of Bracket Busters weekend. I don't think that either team is as good as it was last season. Butler is very young. Davidson is all Stephen Curry this year. Winner - Davidson Wildcats (if Curry plays), Butler Bulldogs (if Curry is out)

Buffalo (17-7, 9-3 MAC) at Vermont (21-7, 12-3 America East) - I LOVE this Vermont team. They could very well be one of my own Bracket Buster choices in the upcoming days. Buffalo has a higher RPI, but I don't care. Great nickname here. Winner - Vermont Catamounts

Northern Iowa (18-9, 12-4 MVC) at Siena (21-6, 15-1 MAAC) - Normally, I'd be taking Northern Iowa here due to my Midwest bias. The problem is, they're playing Siena on the road. Siena is a really good team who could win a game or two in the NCAA tournament. Winner - Siena Saints

Miami Ohio (15-9, 8-4 MAC) at Evansville (15-11, 7-9 MVC) - Another game where I don't agree with the teams involved. I should go with the MVC team at home, but I'm not. Call it instinct. It's my column. Plus, MU Ohio produced a two time Super Bowl champion quarterback. Winner - Miami (Ohio) Red Hawks

Utah State (25-2, 12-1 WAC) at St. Mary's (21-5, 8-4 WCC) - This SHOULD be the marquee game of the weekend. Both of these teams are Tournament bound. Utah State does have to play on the road, but St. Mary's is missing super star Aussie Patrick Mills. Winner - Utah State Aggies

UW Green Bay (20-8, 12-4 Horizon) at Long Beach St. (13-11, 8-4 Big West) - Yet another game that doesn't make sense geographically. Look at Long Beach State's record...they stink. There's so much trouble in the L.B.C. Green Bay plays in the Horizon League, what else do you really need to know? Winner - UW Green Bay Phoenix

Hofstra (18-9, 10-6 Colonial) at Fairfield (15-12, 8-8 MAAC) - Those Fairfield fans are notorious for being crazy and really getting pumped up for big games like......I have no idea what I'm saying. Even I can't get excited for something like this. Winner - Hofstra Pride (I'm not making this up)

Boise State (17-8, 7-5 WAC) at Portland State (18-9, 9-5 Big Sky) - Boise State has a way better RPI, plays in a better conference, and has a much better football team. But I will NOT give up on this Portland State team...and they're not being denied at home. Winner - Portland State Vikings

George Mason (18-8, 11-5 Colonial) at Creighton (22-6, 12-4 MVC) - One doesn't travel into the land of Conor Oberst and expect to come away with a victory. I'm tired of George Mason. I think you know where I'm going here. Winner - Creighton Bluejays

Those are my Bracket Busters predictions. It may have been a complete waste of time, but then again, if there is a convoluted set of games to be played in college basketball this time of year...I'm going to make some predictions.

Props here to John and the town of McKeesport as the research for this column was done at the offices of the Daily News.

I'll be back soon with the third and final Blog Intro post. Thanks for reading.

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