First of all, it is very strange in its composition.  Even though it is called the “Great West,” it incorporates all directions of the USA.  One of the teams in the Great West is the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Jersey City, NJ.  Two of the other teams are Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, TX, and Chicago St. in Chicago.  UTPA is about 20 miles from the Mexican border, while the city of Chicago is possibly the most recognizably northern American cities.  So, this conference has teams on the easternmost, southernmost, and northermost border of the United States.  In fact, the only “direction” not really covered is, well, west.  In fact, Utah Valley is the only school that could even be considered western at all.  Very strange.

Anyway, this conference isn’t very good and doesn’t get a bid to the Dance, so we shouldn’t waste any time on the actual basketball, but let me just say that the quality of play is improving.  NJIT was almost mediocre, while the two Texas schools weren’t terrible either.  Utah Valley – the flagship program (if there is one) of this league – finished in last place…

CHAMPIONSHIP (March 16th – 6 points)

#3 Chicago St. vs #4 Houston Baptist
There is something about this Great West tournament that creates absolute Madness.  And, this year, Houston Baptist is right in the middle of it.  They won a double-OT game in the quarterfinals against #5 Utah Valley, and then a last-second 1-point win over #1 NJIT in the semis has brought the Huskies to the finals.  Chicago St. knocked off #2 UT-Pan American in the semis to get them here.

No one has HB in this one.  Bry, Dave, GrossSr, Lazarow, and PapaCim have Chicago St. in this one.  If Chicago St. wins, Dave, GrossSr, and Lazarow will split the 2013 Great West title. If HB wins, they will all split it a fourth way with Waters.

SEMIFINALS (March 15th – 4 points each)

#1 N.J.I.T. vs #4 Houston Baptist
Surprisingly, there has only been one multiple-overtime game in this year’s CTC thus far, and it occurred in – literally – the most meaningless game imaginable.  Houston Baptist survived #5 Utah Valley in the Great West play-in game to set up a semifinal against #1 NJIT.  Jersey Tech had a pretty solid year that was probably a tryout for a low-major league like the NEC or America East or maybe even eventually the MAAC or the Colonial.  Either way, they are building this program and this year will do wonders for that process.

No one has Houston Baptist in this one, but Alex, Bry, and Teddy all had Utah Valley, so they are hoping for a HB upset to zero this one out.  More than half the field has NJIT winning this tournament.

#2 UT-Pan American vs #3 Chicago St.
UT-Pan American is typically one of the worst teams in D-I, but this year, they were vastly improved, even finishing as runner-up in the Great Great West.  Chicago St. is also typically one of the bottom-feeders, but they are new and building.  This year was a step in the right direction.  A tournament title would be nice for either of these guys.

Most people have the mild upset with CSU here, but there are 10 people (Alexi, Gersh, Lohse, LohseJr, Mac, Primm, Rikey, Scoot, Stumpf, and Teddy), who have UTPA here, including Lynch, Mac, and Stumpf, who have them winning this tournament.  Bry, Dave, GrossSr, Lazarow, and PapaCim. Have Chicago St. taking this title.

QUARTERFINALS (March 14th – 2 points each)

#4 Houston Baptist vs #5 Utah Valley
They stripped the conference tournament from UVU just in time to avoid the embarrassment of the home team being the last place team.  But, it’s probably a stretch to say that they are definitely the worst team.  Their quarterfinal opponent probably is.  The winner of this one will get top-seeded NJIT in the semis.

Nine people (Alexi, Dave, Gersh, GrossSr, Lazarow, Primm, Scoot, Stumpf, and Waters) took HB here, though no one has them beating NJIT on Friday.  Bry has UVU going to the finals.  Alex and Teddy have them winning this whole tournament – as the bottom seed.

CTC UPDATE

Championship Picks

• #1 N.J.I.T. (14)
• #2 UT-Pan American (3)
• #3 Chicago St. (5)
• #4 Houston Baptist (-)
• #5 Utah Valley (2)

Biggest Upsets

• SF – #5 Utah Valley (Alex, Bry & Teddy)
• Champ – #5 Utah Valley (Alex & Teddy)

Previous CTC Champions

• 2010 – Stri (perfect)
• 2011 – J
• 2012 – Lynch & Waters (perfect)

2013 Scores

1).