You’ve got Another Thing Coming Use the time stuck inside because of cold weather to your advantage and prepare for March Madness by checking out these upset-minded teams. BY Sam Knehans The NCAA basketball playoff system, which gives 68 teams the opportunity to compete for the national championship, regularly produces some media darlings. Often, these are mid-major teams that upset national title contenders from the six major conferences. Some mid-major teams, such as Memphis, Gonzaga and Xavier, have established themselves as annual competitors and thus no longer fit the stereotypical mid-major role. However, here are five other mid-majors with the potential to become upset specialists in NCAA Tournament. UNLV The Rebels have become the talk of the early season after taking down top-ranked North Carolina to capture the Las Vegas Invitational. First-year coach Dave Rice inherited a team ready to compete for the Mountain West title. His starting lineup includes two returning Third-Team All-Mountain West selections in small forward Chace Stanback and point guard Oscar Bellfield. They are joined by UCLA transfer Mike Moser, who is averaging a doubledouble and leads the team in rebounds per game. With these three leading the way, look for UNLV to compete for the Mountain West title and remain in the national picture for much of this season. Creighton The Bluejays play in the competitive Missouri Valley Conference, a group of teams that often produces one Cinderella come March. Creighton has participated in a basketball postseason tournament in every season since 1998, including seven NCAA tournaments appearances. This Creighton team is led by sophomore forward Doug McDermott, son of the team’s head coach, Greg McDermott. The younger McDermott leads the team in points per game, with 24.0, and rebounds per game, averaging 9.1. With the McDermotts at the helm, look for Creighton to challenge for the Missouri Valley Conference title this season. Harvard This year’s Crimson are not your average Ivy League team. They started off the campaign 8-0 for the first time since the 1984-85 season, and return key pieces from the team that established several program records, including wins (23), conference victories (12) and home wins (14), last season. Paramount among these returning players is senior forward Keith Wright, who was named to the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watch List and was also honored as a Preseason All-Ivy League selection. Wright leads the team with 6.8 rebounds per game and is second with 10.8 points per game. Look for Wright to lead Harvard to the Ivy League title and push for the school’s second NCAA tournament appearance and first ever NCAA tournament win. Belmont Belmont has developed its basketball program over the past five years. The Bruins reached their first NCAA Tournament in 2006 and returned in 2007, 2008 and 2011. In 2008, the Bruins nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history, coming up one point shy against the No. 2 seeded Duke Blue Devils in the first round. The 2011 season was arguably the best in school history, as the Bruins captured both the Atlantic Sun Regular Season Championship and the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament crown before losing to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament. Look for the Bruins to continue to develop their program and possibly compete for the school’s first NCAA Tournament win this season.
Saint Louis University
The Billikens captured a significant amount of media attention after defeating Boston College, Villanova, and Oklahoma, each by at least 10 points, on their way to the 76 Classic title. Head coach Rick Majerus, who has never had a losing season in 23 years at the collegiate level, leads SLU. The Billikens have guard Kwamain Mitchell, who led the team two seasons ago with 15.9 points per game, and forward Brian Conklin, who leads the team with 16.0 points per game this season. With Majerus at the helm, look for the Billikens to be a factor into the Atlantic 10 and to become a bracket buster when March Madness begins.
Winter classic, January 2
The New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers descend upon Citizens Bank Park in the fifth annual Winter Classic. Only 93 miles separate the Atlantic Division foes, making for a heated outdoor game. Watch how the Flyers defense handles star Ranger Brad Richards, considering captain Chris Pronger’s concussion. Hey at worst, both teams will be rocking some beautiful feauxback uniforms highlighted by Philly’s use of a keystone for the captain’s “C.” Don’t forget to watch 24/7 on HBO in the weeks leading up to the game.
EP EP12/13/11 11/1/11
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