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Welcome to another exciting Conference Tournament Year, and we at Great Lakes Sports will give you the contenders in each of the Conference Tournaments, and will get you ready for the big dance. We here at Great Lakes Sports would like to wish you luck this upcoming Conference Tournament season.
MAC Tournament Preview:
Akron- The Zips an experience squad the Zips return four starters from a team that have won 23 games last year, and currently are 24-6 as of this writing. The Zips have won five out of their last six games, and are # 2 seed in the MAC Tournament. Akron has a very good balance of their perimeter shooting, and low post play led by 6’7” Senior Romero Travis (15.1ppg), and (6.0rpg), and the Zips also have great three point shooting in 6’1” Junior Nick Dials (10.8ppg). We at Great Lakes Sports will take Akron to win the MAC League Championship with a very solid guard play which will also open up the game for the Akron Big men. The |Akron Zips will represent the MAC Conference in the Big Dance.
Kent State- The Golden Flashes has had a very good year with a 20-10 record, and a #3 seed in the MAC Tournament. With having two starters back from a team that went 25-9 last year and a trip to the Big Dance. The Golden Flashes are on a roll winning 11 out of their last 13 games, and are led by one of the toughest guards in the MAC Conference in 6’3” Omni Smith (14.0ppg). With Kent State athletic ability, and depth on their bench we look for the Kent State Golden Flashes to make a strong push for the MAC Conference Championship.
Toledo- The Rockets could make a lot of noise when it comes tournament time with four starters back from a team that went 20-11 last year. The Rockets are currently 18-11 this year including an amazing 14-2 in conference play, and are the #1 seed in this year MAC Tournament. The Rockets are currently on a four game winning streak, and are led by 6’5” Senior guard/forward Keonta Howell (15.3ppg), and 6’3” Senior guard Justin Ingrim (14.8ppg). We look for the Rockets tough defense, and solid shooting to create some match-up problems against teams in the conference. So don’t count out the Toledo Rockets as they will be a major force in the MAC tournament.
Ohio U.- The Bobcats is our dark horse in this MAC tournament with three starters back from last year squad. Ohio U. has a strong low post game led by 6’6” Sophomore Jerome Tillman(15.1ppg) with (8.2rpg), and 6’8” Junior Leonard Williams (14.2ppg), and (8.9rpg). If the Bobcats can use their head, and limit their mistakes, and play solid defense for 40 minutes they could make some noise in the MAC Tournament.
BIG Ten Tournament Preview:
Ohio State- The Buckeyes returned only one starter this year from last years team that went 26-6, but they have had a Great year thanks to the Fab five #2 going 27-3 this year losing all three games to top five talent in Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Florida, and are ranked #1 in the country. The first place Buckeyes are led by 7’0” Freshman Greg Oden (15.3ppg), and (9.3rpg), they also have a pair of sharpshooters in 6’4” Senior Ron Lewis (11.3ppg), and 6’5” Freshman Daequan Cook (11.3ppg). We look for the strong inside play of Ohio State will carry the Buckeyes all the way to the Big Ten Championship.
Wisconsin- With the Badgers returning four starters from last year squad who are currently 27-4, and with a strong showing in the Big Ten Tournament the Badgers could find them selves with a #1 seed in the Big Dance. The Badgers are led by 6’6” Senior Forward Alando Tucker (20.1ppg). If the Badgers can turn up the intensity on defense, and limit their turnovers they will have a chance to win the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
Michigan State- Here is a team that is could put it all together going into tournament action with a 21-10 record as of this writing, and have only one starter back which is Drew Neitzel (18.3ppg). The Spartans can open up the shooting for Neitzel, and hit their foul shots Michigan State could make some noise in the Big Ten Tournament. We look for Michigan State with their athletic ability to be our sleeper in the Big Ten Tournament.
Indiana - This is our dark horse as they return only two starters back from last year team from a team that went 19-12 last year, and had a lot of depth this year. The Hoosiers are having an outstanding year as they are currently 20-9 as of this writing winning three out of their last four games. Indiana is led by 6’9” Junior Forward D.J. White (13.7ppg), and 6’4” Senior guard Roderick Wilmont (12.8ppg), and if they can cut down on their turnovers they have a chance to make a splash in this years tournament. The other thing is that Indiana will need to make their free throws as they are shooting 70% this season as a team. We do look for the Indiana Hoosiers to be running on all cylinders, and be competitive in the Big Ten Conference Tournament this year.
This is a look at the MAC, and Big Ten Conference Tournaments this year, and check back with Great Lakes Sports for all of your College Basketball Conference Tournaments, and Big Dance Preview, and always good luck from Great Lakes Sports.
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