ESPNU's seventh installment of Bracket Busters is set to grace our presence today with a microscopic slate of TWO games. Of the games on the docket for this year, including three featuring ranked teams, the two on Friday are fairly tame. The Late game between everyone's favorite team to upset Duke, VCU, and Nevada is really the undercard on night one, even getting relegated to THE U.
Virginia Commonwealth (19-8, 12-4 CAA) at Nevada (15-10, 8-4 WAC)
Eric Maynor is still an absolute manimal for the Rams and they still have a great coach in Anthony Grant, though for how long remains to be seen with those two SEC openings looming large, but they are no longer big dog in the CAA this year. They have a one game lead over Northeastern and George Mason but have looked beyond mortal in conference. Nevada, a distant second behind Utah State in the weak WAC, should just be happy to get this game at home, even though they are better on the road, at least record wise. Nevada is a STELLAR 1-4 vs. the RPI top 100 and VCU just happens to fall at 66. Hey look the RPI IS a useful stat!
Prediction: VCU 72, Nevada 58
Illinois State (22-5, 11-5 MVC) at Niagara (21-7, 12-4 MAAC) - ESPN 2
GAME OF THE NIGHT
Remember when Illinois State was one of the nations last undefeated teams at 14-0? I barely do. The Redbirds now sit third in a once powerful mid-major who is in down year, while losing both games against Indiana State, who find themselves in a 30 year swoon since Larry Bird left and are 9th of 10 teams in the Valley. Their best non-conference wins are arguably Illinois-Chicago (at least at the time) and Bowling Green, not exactly Duke and UNC on the resume (see what I did there, Boston College DOES have those wins on their resume). Niagara, before a loss on Wednesday to Rider by 2 on the road, was streaking and seems to have a better overall profile despite the weak conference of the MAAAAAAAAC. They lost at conference power Siena by 17 before and have a week after Bracket Busters to get ready for that return game, so hopefully they won't be overlooking this game. Both teams have an RPI in the 60's, very respectable for their conferences but I'd look for the Purple Eagles (interesting nickname, when was the last time you saw a purple eagle patrolling the skies?) to enjoy the home cooking, FINALLY getting a big opponent at home. They had to travel to their three biggest opponents (Villanova, Buffalo, South Florida) and won two of them, but such is the life of a low major.
Prediction: Niagara 72, Illinois State 65
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