BY: SOME GUY NAMED STEVE
The first week of March did not disappoint. Filled with overtimes, upsets, and buzzer beaters there was no denying what month of basketball we were witnessing. March had arrived. With only conference tournament games left on the schedule, this week will be loaded with all the chaos, emotions, and drama March has to offer. The greatest two week stretch in sports starts now! Are you ready?
Last week, three conference tournaments crowned a champion and let me tell you that none of those champions should be treated lightly. The Atlantic Sun, Big South, and Missouri Valley all finished this weekend with the number 1 seed winning each conference. Liberty (23-5) won the Atlantic Sun, Winthrop (23-1) won the Big South, and Loyola Chicago (24-4) won the Missouri Valley. Below I am going to list key stats (and where they rank out of 357) for each team so you can determine if these teams can make a run in the tournament!
Liberty Flames (23-5)
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 52nd
- Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 163rd
- Strength of Schedule: 309th
- Points Per Game: 73.2 (108th)
- Points Allowed Per Game: 62.2 (15th)
- Rebounds Per Game: 32.5 (292nd)
- Assists Per Game: 15.0 (57th)
- Steals Per Game: 4.0 (344th)
- Turnovers Per Game: 10.0 (6th)
- Field Goal Percentage: 48.2% (17th)
- 3pt Percentage: 38.8% (10th)
- Free Throw Percentage: 77.8% (19th)
- Opposing Field Goal Percentage: 42.2% (95th)
- Opposing 3pt Percentage: 32.2% (85th)
Liberty is one of the most efficient shooting teams in all of college basketball. The Flames shoot well from all over the floor and will not beat themselves. Liberty rarely turns the ball over and will be one of the more trustworthy teams at the free throw line. Liberty will not win the battle on the glass or force opponents into mistakes. Liberty’s success in the tournament will be determined greatly by match-up. If the Flames face a big physical team it could mean a first round exit for Liberty.
Winthrop Eagles (23-1)
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 124th
- Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 68th
- Strength of Schedule: 311th
- Points Per Game: 79.5 (18th)
- Points Allowed Per Game: 66.8 (68th)
- Rebounds Per Game: 40.2 (10th)
- Assists Per Game: 15.0 (56th)
- Steals Per Game: 7.8 (48th)
- Turnovers Per Game: 14.2 (238th)
- Field Goal Percentage: 46.1% (62nd)
- 3pt Percentage: 35.3% (92nd)
- Free Throw Percentage: 68.6% (249th)
- Opposing Field Goal Percentage: 43.1% (146th)
- Opposing 3pt Percentage: 32.4% (95th)
A lot of people will pick Winthrop to win a game solely based on their 23-1 record. There are a lot of things that Winthrop does well including shooting the ball well from the field and they have dominated opponents on the boards. Winthrop can score at a fast pace and can force their opponents into mistakes. However, two glaring stats that scare me away from Winthrop are turnovers and free throw percentage.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers (24-4)
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 49th
- Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 1st
- Strength of Schedule: 130th
- Points Per Game: 70.5 (174th)
- Points Allowed Per Game: 55.8 (1st)
- Rebounds Per Game: 32.5 (290th)
- Assists Per Game: 15.5 (38th)
- Steals Per Game: 7.1 (89th)
- Turnovers Per Game: 11.8 (75th)
- Field Goal Percentage: 49.7% (8th)
- 3pt Percentage: 35.7% (77th)
- Free Throw Percentage: 73.3% (94th)
- Opposing Field Goal Percentage: 41.1% (49th)
- Opposing 3pt Percentage: 32.5% (102nd)
When you think of Loyola-Chicago just think of one thing; defense. The Ramblers will be a popular pick regardless thanks to the “Sister Jean” Final Four run they had a few years ago. However, Loyola-Chicago has a team capable of making another miracle run. With the number one ranked defense and an efficient offense, it will take a lot for Loyola-Chicago to fall short of expectations.
Out of the three teams that won their conference thus far, Loyola-Chicago is my favorite to make a run. However, it is worth noting that the Ramblers did lose both of their toughest non-conference games against Wisconsin and Richmond.
Tonight’s Key Games
Appalachian St vs Georgia St (Sun Belt Championship): ESPN2 7pm
Mercer vs UNC Greensboro (Southern Championship): ESPN 7pm
Saint Mary’s vs Gonzaga (West Coast Semi Final): ESPN 9pm
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