2013 College Basketball Picks: Colonial Athletic Association Tournamant Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – CAA Tournament Schedule and Tournament Bracket: Formerly one of the toughest mid-major conferences in the country, the Colonial Athletic Association has been victimized by conference realignment as a majority of its top programs have jumped ship for bigger conferences. As a result of the all the teams coming and going, only seven of the 11 teams in the CAA are eligible to compete in this year’s conference tournament. Among the ineligible teams is Towson. The Tigers finished with the second-best record in the conference and are led by Georgetown transfer Jerrelle Benimon, who averages 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. With probably the best big man in the conference sitting this one out, here is a closer look the remaining contenders for the CAA Tournament title and the conference’s automatic bid.
2013 CAA Tournament Odds, Free Picks and Predictions
The Contenders
Thanks in large part to the conference’s best offense, the Northeastern Huskies (19-11, 14-4 CAA) captured the Colonial Athletic Association’s regular season title. The Huskies are averaging 70.1 points per game on the season, and they are the only CAA team averaging more than 70 on the year. Joel Smith leads the scoring attack with 16.5 points per game, and he is one of four players averaging in double figures and one of five players that have knocked down more than 20 3-pointers on the year. Smith has also connected on a team-high 77 3-pointers at a 42.5 percent clip. On the flip side, the Huskies are scuffling a bit, losing three of their final five games heading into the CCA Tournament. Not to mention the fact that Northeastern had a bizarre 7-8 record at home, raising legitimate question of the team’s focus and consistency.
If you believe in momentum leading to victories, then the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens (18-13, 13-5 CAA) are your team. They have reeled off four straight wins and have won 10 of their last 12 games heading into the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. Delaware also owns the conference’s second-best scoring offense and has three players averaging more than 11 points per game. Guard Devon Saddler leads the group with 20.2 points per game, and he has the ability to take over a game by attacking the rim and living at the foul line. On the other hand, Saddler and the rest of Delaware’s perimeter players can be streaky, and the Blue Hens’ defense can be porous at times. Still, there is no denying Delaware’s upside in terms of offensive firepower.
Bottom Line
With Towson ineligible, the CAA Tournament should come down to Northeastern and Delaware thanks to the overall offensive firepower possessed by both teams. The Blue Hens finished just one game back of the Huskies during the regular season, and the two teams split a pair of competitive games with both sides winning on the road. Northeastern took the first meeting 74-70, and Delaware avenged the loss with a 76-74 overtime win later in the year. As the final scores of both games suggest, both games were played at relatively similar styles. Don’t expect a change if the two sides do indeed meet with in a rubber match with an NCAA Tournament berth up for grabs. In a game that should come down to the final possessions, the wave of momentum that the Blue Hens are riding will be huge. Delaware is trending up while Northeastern is heading in the opposite direction. Not to mention the fact that Saddler’s ability to get to the foul line rather than settling for a jump shot is a major plus for the Blue Hens in any tight game. The Huskies grabbed the regular season crown, but the Blue Hens will get the last laugh in the CAA Tournament.
Prediction: Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens Win the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament
Odds to Win 2013 CAA Tournament
1702 Delaware +175
1703 Drexel +450
1704 George Mason +350
1706 Hofstra +2000
1707 James Madison +500
1709 Northeastern +175
1712 William and Mary +800
2013 CAA Tournament Schedule
Saturday, March 9 – First Round
3:30 p.m. ET: No. 4 George Mason vs. No. 5 Drexel (Game 1) – Comcast SportsNet
6 p.m. ET: No. 2 Delaware vs. No. 7 Hofstra (Game 2) – Comcast SportsNet
8:30 p.m. ET: No. 3 James Madison vs. No. 6 William and Mary (Game 3) – Comcast SportsNet
Sunday, March 10 – Semifinals
2:00 p.m. ET: No. 1 Northeastern vs. Game 1 Winner (Game 4) – NBC Sports Network
4:30 p.m. ET: Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner (Game 5) – NBC Sports Network
Monday, March 11 – Championship Game
7:00 p.m. ET: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner (Game 6) – NBC Sports Network
Stop by NSAwins.com daily throughout the NCAA Basketball season for daily Free College Basketball Predictions and Vegas College Basketball Odds plus daily updated Men’s 2013 National Championship Betting Odds.
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on 2013 NCAA Basketball Odds Now! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN GT Bets Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get EXCLUSIVE 100% BONUS upto $500 FREE added to your GT Bets Account Funds. |