There are a lot of great single days of Championship Week, but, for whatever reason, there is nothing better – to me – than the quarterfinal quadruple-header in the Colonial. Great basketball between teams that are not “playing for seeding.” This is a true championship.
#1 Drexel vs. #9 UNC-Wilmington
UNC-Wilmington had a nice win yesterday over James Madison, but they are up against it today, as they get the CAA’s top seed, Drexel. This is probably the best team in the long history of Dragon basketball, as they enter the tournament having won 17 straight games. There is talk about potential at-large bid for the Dragons, but that is certainly not a certainty and will not happen if they lose today. 20 CTC entries, 20 Drexel picks in this one. Somewhat surprisingly, though, is that only 9 people (Alexi, KA, Lil Lohse, Lynch, Mac, Rikey, RDoc, Scoot, Stri) have Drexel winning this tournament.
#4 Old Dominion vs. #5 Delaware
Delaware survived an ignominious defeat yesterday, outlasting 1-30 Towson, and now they get an ODU team that is incredibly well-coached and very talented. Kent Bazemore is as good and versatile of a player as you’ll find on any roster in America, and he does not want his senior season to end today. Plus, the youth surrounding Bazemore is coming along. Gross, J, KA, Lynch, and Water have UDel in this upset. Waters actually has them in the finals, so this is big for him. 6 people (Bry, Dave, Gersh, Lohse, Primm, Teddy) have ODU reaching the finals.
#3 George Mason vs. #6 Georgia St.
Georgia St. looked as impressive as anyone anywhere yesterday, as they pounded Hofstra by 35. Now, the senior-laden Panther team gets to take their shot at a very, very good George Mason team. Mason is probably on the outside of the bubble, but I wouldn’t want to play them at any point in March. And, while Ryan Pearson may not look like the quintessential superstar, he can really play. This is a rather popular upset pick, as 7 people have them winning this game (Alexi, Dave, Doogan, J, Lohse, RDoc, and Teddy). Alexi and Teddy have the Panthers reaching the finals.
#2 VCU vs. #7 Northeastern
Northeastern survived a pretty ugly game with William & Mary in the Opening Round and now they get to take a shot at Shaka Smart’s VCU squad. The young Rams have really come together and are looking like they could be a real force this March. They lead the nation in steals with a really smart, calculated style of pressing that is so effective. 19 people took VCU here, so only Teddy (who already lost this game with W&M) is rooting for NE. Bry, Dave, Doogan, Gross, J, and Lohse all have VCU winning this tournament.
