The Southland and the SWAC used to really bother me.\u00a0 Who do they think they are with their meaningless tournaments in the second week?\u00a0 But, either I’ve mellowed with age or I realize that it really doesn’t matter because these tournaments usually aren’t good anyway.\u00a0 This year, though, the SL is pretty interesting.\u00a0 There are a couple nationally legitimate mid-majors (UTA, UTSA, Lamar), some perennially solid programs (SFA, SHSU) and some upstart teams ready to make names for themselves (McNeese St., Northwestern St.)<\/p>\n
Championship Picks<\/em> Biggest Upsets<\/em> Previous CTC Champions #2 Stephen F. Austin vs. #7 Sam Houston St. #3 Lamar vs. #6 Northwestern St. #1 UT-Arlington vs. #8 Nicholls St. #4 McNeese St. vs. #5 UT-San Antonio The Southland and the SWAC used to really bother me.\u00a0 Who do they think they are with their meaningless tournaments in the second week?\u00a0 But, either I’ve mellowed with age or I realize that it really doesn’t matter because these … Continue reading
\n11\u00a0for #1 UT-Arlington
\n5\u00a0for #2 Stephen F. Austin (Gersh, Mac, Primm, RSmith, Waters)
\n4 for #3 Lamar (Doogan, KA, Lohse, Scoot)<\/p>\n
\nQF – #8 Nicholls St. (KA)
\nSF – #7 Sam Houston St. (Teddy)<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>2011 – Dave
\n2010 – Alexi\/Lynch\/Stri\/Teddy
\n2009 – Waters
\n2008 – Bry<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>These are probably the most consistently good programs in the SL and they have a hefty rivalry, so a first round matchup is nice.\u00a0 Both teams are young and playing their best ball of the year.\u00a0 Dave, Doogan, J, and Teddy\u00a0went for this meaty upset pick.\u00a0 Teddy has SHSU in the finals.\u00a0 Gersh, Mac, Primm, RSmith, and Waters would all lose their champions if that upset comes true.<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Anyone else hear that press conference that Lamar coach Pat Knight held last week, saying how the seniors are the worst class he’s ever seen – throwing out accusations of drug use and stuff like that?\u00a0 Tell me that if you closed your eyes, you wouldn’t hear his old man.\u00a0 The voice is pretty much identical and his rhythm and cadence were just like The General.\u00a0 Anyway, Lamar was supposed to be really good, but they really underachieved.\u00a0 Maybe the senior class stunk…or maybe that this guy Pat doesn’t coach like that other Knight.\u00a0 Lil Lohse, Primm, RSmith, and Waters all took a shot at Northwestern St. here in the upset.\u00a0 Doogan, KA, Lohse, and Scoot all have Lamar winning this tournament.<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Only 8 of the 12 SL teams make the conference tournament.\u00a0 After Nicholls St.’s first two conference games, the other 11 teams were feeling better about their chances.\u00a0 Nicholls took a weekend trip to Texas to open the conference season with UTSA and UTA.\u00a0 They lost by a combined 73 points…and they weren’t even that close.\u00a0 Well, somehow they put it together and actually looked decent for parts of the season, and now they get a shot at redemption with UTA (and possibly UTSA in the semis, if they can win tonight).\u00a0 UT-Arlington is one of the better mid-majors in the country and should be considered a decent favorite to win this tournament.\u00a0 KA went for the home run with the Nicholls St. upset pick here.\u00a0 More than half the field has UTA winning this tournament.<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>The Roadrunners of UTSA were thought to have arrived a year earlier than expected last year when they won this tournament.\u00a0 This was supposed to be their year.\u00a0 But, this year hasn’t gone as planned and now they have a tough road.\u00a0 McNeese has been the big surprise of the SL season, as they won the Northern Division.\u00a0 McNeese is an unappreciated favorite here, as only 7 people have the 4-seed in this one (Dave, Gersh, J, Rikey, RSmith, Stri, Waters).\u00a0 Waters has McNeese in the finals.\u00a0 KA and Lohse both have UTSA in reaching the finals to defend their title.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"