2013 College Basketball Picks: WAC Conference Tournamant Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – WAC Tournament Schedule and Tournament Bracket: Although the conference has undergone some changes in recent with the top programs leaving for other leagues, the Western Athletic Conference still delivered a competitive fight during the regular season. Two teams shared the conference crown, and a third team was just two games back. Granted, there was a sharp divide between the top half of the team and the bottom half, but the top five teams in the WAC all won at least 11 games in conference play. At best, the WAC is going to put two teams in the NCAA Tournament his year, but in the meantime, the battle for the automatic bid should be interesting. Here is a closer look at the top contenders for the WAC Tournament title.
2013 WAC Tournament Odds, Free Picks and Predictions
The Contenders
Even though they won a share of the conference title during the regular season, but the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (26-5, 16-2 WAC) will likely have to win the conference tournament if they plan on being a part of the Big Dance. The Bulldogs own the top scoring offense in the WAC, and they actually rank among the top 50 teams in the country. Guard Raheem Appleby leads the team with 14.5 points per game, but five players are averaging more than seven points per game. On the flip side, Louisiana Tech did drop its final two games of the regular season after starting 16-0, and the two losses came to the other top teams in the conference.
They bring plenty of momentum into the WAC Tournament, and the Denver Pioneers (21-8, 16-2 WAC) are playing their best at the right time. Denver has ripped off 10 straight wins to close the regular season in a tie for first in the conference. The Pioneers also own the WAC’s top scoring defense, and while their offense isn’t explosive, they do rank 10th in the country in field goal percentage. Forward Chris Udofia is at the center of what Denver does on both ends of the court. He leads the team in scoring, and he averages 1.6 steals and 2.4 blocks for a team that averages more than nine steals and five blocks as a team. Quality shots and stingy defense could lead the Pioneers to victory.
The New Mexico State Aggies (21-10, 14-4 WAC) finished third in the conference during the regular season, but they could have the balance on both ends of the court to make a run in the WAC Tournament. After all, the Aggies rank fourth in the conference in scoring and third in points allowed. They are particularly tough at the rim, averaging more than six blocks per game. New Mexico State also has balance on the offensive end with four players averaging in double figures. A rock solid team effort on both ends of the court could be enough to propel the Aggies to the tournament crown.
Armed with the third-best offense in the country and the fourth-best defense, the Utah State Aggies (21-9, 11-7 WAC) could make a surprise run in the conference tournament. The Aggies have six players averaging more than seven points per game, including four averaging more than 12 points per game. Guard Preston Medlin leads the way, but with so many different scoring options, Utah State is better equipped than most teams in the conference to handle an off night from one of their top options. The depth on offense could pay off to the tune of a WAC Tournament crown.
Bottom Line
While the hot team doesn’t always have the advantage, it is hard to overlook how well the Pioneers have been playing lately. For one, five of their 10 victories during their winning streak have come on the road. More importantly, two of Denver’s final three victories of the regular season came against the WAC’s other strongest teams. Last but not least, the Pioneers have size in their frontcourt. Denver is able to protect the paint one defense and force opponents into taking contested jump shots a majority of the time while getting high-percentage looks of their own on offense. The balance on both ends of the court should carry Denver to the WAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament bid.
Prediction: Denver Pioneers Win the WAC Tournament
2013 WAC Tournament Odds
Denver +120
Louisiana Tech +280
New Mexico State +500
Texas-Arlington +850
Utah State +875
Idaho +3000
Seattle +11000
UTSA +13500
Texas State +35000
San Jose State +35000
2013 WAC Conference Tournament Schedule
Note: All times Pacific Time (PT). All games will be played at the Orleans Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Tuesday, March 12 (First Round)
Game 1: #7 Texas State vs. #10 Seattle, 6:00 p.m.
Game 2: #8 San Jose State vs. #9 UTSA, 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 14 (Quarterfinals)
Game 3: #3 New Mexico State vs. #6 Idaho, 12:00 p.m.
Game 4: #2 Denver vs. Game 1 winner, 2:30 p.m.
Game 5: #1 Louisiana Tech vs. Game 2 winner, 6:00 p.m.
Game 6: #4 Texas-Arlington vs. #5 Utah State, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 15 (Semifinals)
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:00 p.m.
Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 (Finals)
Game 9: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 8:00 p.m. (ESPNU)
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