Wednesday, March 2, 2016

2016 America(N) East MBB Tournament

Quarterfinal Matchup's

(8) UMBC vs (1) Stony Brook
(7) Hartford vs (2) Albany
(6) Maine vs (3) Vermont
(5) Binghamton vs (4) New Hampshire

UMBC at Stony Brook

Vegas Line: Stony Brook -23.5
KenPom Line: Stony Brook -22
Prediction: Stony Brook by 19

Going to be tough for UMBC to hang with Stony Brook inside, even if their perimeter falters. Expect Lyles to get his for UMBC, but it won't nearly be enough. These Stony Brook seniors are as hungry as any group can be, maybe the emotions slow them down early, but...I expect them to come out rocking and rolling from the tip.

It took Stony Brook almost the whole game to pull away, props to UMBC for keeping it closer than most expected.

Final: UMBC 76 Stony Brook 86

Hartford at Albany

Vegas Line: Albany -18
KenPom Line: Albany -21
Prediction: Albany by 24

At first I thought the spread was too high...then I remembered how chippy it got at the end when these teams met a couple of days ago. Albany came out flat last matchup, partly due to the emotions of senior night...don't expect the same tonight. Other factor to consider is how poorly Peter Hooley shot in that game, it's money time... and this is where he thrives.

Everything I said Albany would do...yeah...that's what Hartford did. They hit their threes early, slowed down the Albany offense with their zone defense (packed the box), and held off a second half comeback attempt by the Great Danes. Props to Hartford on a great game and a solid upset.

Final: Hartford 68 Albany 59

Maine at Vermont

Vegas Line: Vermont -18.5
KenPom Line: Vermont -19
Pediction: Vermont by 14

Vermont has been hot, Maine runs and guns. Maine may be able to force enough turnovers to stay somewhat in this one before Vermont takes over down low. If Ernie Duncan is hot from deep Vermont is as hard as anyone to beat in this league.

Vermont was the team that finished with close to 100 points, that's all you need to know. Maine didn't win much, but they played an exciting brand of basketball this season.

Final: Maine 82 Vermont 99

Binghamton at New Hampshire

Vegas Line: New Hampshire -10
KenPom Line: New Hampshire -9
Prediction: New Hampshire by 12

New Hampshire doesn't shoot that well and they don't force turnovers. What's shocking is they finished last in the America East on two point field goals when they have a stud like Tanner Leissner patrolling the interior. Binghamton can't defend the three, and doesn't fair much better defending the two.

56-51, I could watch but I really don't want to. New Hampshire gets it done as they continue to build their program. A win against Vermont in the semifinals would be huge.

Final: Binghamton 51 New Hampshire 56

Semifinal Matchup's

Hartford at Stony Brook

Vegas Line: Stony Brook -18.5
KenPom Line: Stony Brook -19
Prediction: Stony Brook by 14

Hartford got hot from deep and clogged the paint against Albany. Same game strategy could work against this Stony Brook lineup. Expect the Stony Brook guards to step up in this one as Jameel Warney is constantly surrounded in the box. This game will be won or lost on the outside shooting of Carson Puriefoy and Lucas Woodhouse for Stony Brook.

New Hampshire at Vermont

Vegas Line: Vermont -8
KenPom Line: Vermont -9
Pediction: Vermont by 4

I picked New Hampshire on Twitter, but I'm soft so I'll backdoor it with Vermont here. If Vermont hits their threes, than this shouldn't be that close. More than likely this could be a sloppy battle with whoever is hungrier down low taking the win. Trae Bell-Haynes and Ernie Duncan are the make or break players for Vermont. Leissner vs O'Day down low should be fun to watch.

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