CBI Prediction Show!!!

 

Unfortunately, this isn’t Sportscenter and I don’t have  the resources to do a fancy intro.  Although, many would agree, the College Basketball Invitational doesn’t deserve a fancy intro.  One might be asking yourself, why do I care about the CBI?  Well, I know it doesn’t have the sex appeal that the NCAA Tourny does, and to tell the truth, there is very little out there is as much fun as the NCAA Tournament.  And I know its not quite the tournament that the NIT puts on, but the CBI’s goal is to compete with the NIT. But here you go, here is the Seattlesportsblog official predictions for the CBI Tourny. 

 First the Bracket.  For those who want to take a look, print it out and fill one out.  Check it out here.  For those who just want the CBI website, here you go.  As you may see, the website has a lovely picture of our favorite turnover machine, Justin Dentmon.

 The Teams -

• Bradley
• Brown
• Cincinnati
• Houston
• Miami (Ohio)
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Old Dominion
• Richmond
• Rider
• Tulsa
• Utah
• UTEP
• Valparaiso
• Virginia
• Washington

These are the 16 teams that accepted the bid’s for this tournament.  As you can easily see, there are some decent teams in this field.  Although, not a lot of big names (Washington ,Virginia, and Cincinnati are the only big conferences schools), but teams like Nevada, Old Dominion, Utah have all been forces in the NCAA tournament in the past.

Tuesday’s games-

Richmond at Virginia – Virginia (15-15, 5-11) has had a disappointing season, they excepted a lot more, especially when being led by super talent Sean Singletary.  Richmond also had a bit of a disappointing, only posting a 16-14 overall record and a 9-7 record in an average A-10 conference.  If I had 1 game I was sure I was going to predict correctly, its UVA over Richmond.  Winner – Virginia.

Rider at Old Dominion – I watched Rider (23-10, 13-5) a few times this year, and I have to say, they are a good looking team.  Rider ended the year on a hot streak, only losing to a hotter team in Siena in the MAAC finals.  They may be from a small conference, but I really like these guys.  Old Dominion (17-15, 11-7 CAA) on the other hand, were average at best this year.  They did nothing to separate themselves in the conference, that is why this is my first upset of the CBI.  Winner – Rider

Brown at Ohio – This is arguably Browns (19-9, 11-3 Ivy league) best team in the schools history.  They are led by two outstanding scorers, Mark McAndrew and Damon Huffman, Brown will have no issues putting points on the board.  Ohio (19-12, 9-7 MAC), a lot like Old Dominion were average at best in an average conference.  They are led by a very good senior, Leon Williams, but I am taking Brown in my second upset of the tournament.  Winner – Brown

Houston at Nevada -  This is a matchup of two teams the east coast may not be familiar with.  Especially a team like Nevada (21-11, 12-4 WAC), who is known on the west coast of having a very good basketball program.  They frequent the NCAA tournament and personally a fan favorite of mine.  Nevada has a terrific backcourt and can score from anywhere on the court.  Houston (22-9, 11-5 C-USA) put together a great season from a conference that was dominated by Memphis.  This is by far the best matchup in the first round, as both these teams could beat anyone in this tournament.  As for the CBI, if this game is on TV and you have nothing to watch, tune into this one.  Winner – Nevada.

 Wednesday’s games-

Cincinnati at Bradley – Cincinnati (13-18 overall, 8-10 BIG EAST), had a rough season, and it will probably end on a bad note, since they are playing a very decent Bradley (17-15 overall, 9-9 MVC) team.  I have a hard time picking a team to win a post season conference when they just posted a 13-18 record.  Cincinnati may be the big east, but cmon, win some games.  Bradley is coming from the up and coming Missouri Valley who always suprise teams from the bigger conferences.  Winner – Bradley.

Miami (OH) at Tulsa – Miami (17-15 overall, 9-7 MAC) in my mind is a lesser version of Ohio.  I don’t see them making it out of the first round, just like their counterparts from Ohio.  Tulsa (20-13 overall, 8-8 C-USA), may not be as good as Houston, another C-USA team, but I see them being a lot better than Miami.  Winner – Tulsa

Valparaiso at Washington – This isnt the same Valparaiso (21-13 overall, 9-9 Horizon) team that beat Mississippi State that we remember from years ago.  And if you don’t remember, check out this great shot here.    The power of the Horizon, cannot and will not beat the power of the Pac-10.  Washington (16-16 overall, 7-11 Pac-10) may have had a disappointing overall season, but they have been playing their best basketball at the end of the year, and if John Brockman is healthy for this game, I see Washington rolling on it beautiful fashion.  Winner – Washington

Utah at UTEP – Another matchup of good west coast teams.  Utah (17-14 overall, 7-9 MWC) struggled this year, but they have the ability to play with anyone.  They took Washington earlier in the year, down to the wire in Seattle.  UTEP (19-13 overall, 8-8 Conference USA) was stuck in the middle of the C-USA, a lot like Tulsa, the only problem is I cannot see UTEP beating Utah, even at home.  Winner – Utah

There are my predictions for the first round of the tournament.  The second round would look like this

• Washington vs Nevada – which would be a fantastic matchup, which I see Washington winning, but close
• Virginia vs Rider – its hard to take a school from the MAAC over a school from the ACC.
• Utah vs Tulsa – For some reason, I am riding the Utah train, seeing them win this one also.  The MWC is a good conference.
• Bradley vs Brown – Battle of the B’s.  Bradley ends that great season Brown season.

Semifinals -

• Washington vs UVA – this is a type of game that should be ment for the finals, since they are the two biggest names in the tournament.  But, since the Pac-10 is far superior than the ACC, I have to pick Washington.
• Utah vs Bradley – Gosh, I cannot believe I like Utah in this matchup, whats wrong with me?

Finals -

• Washington vs Utah – UW beat them once already, and they can do it two more times (The CBI finals are a best of 3 series.)