Tournament Predictions, Vol. 1

Lest you think this blog is entirely about contests and amateur basketball leagues, I wanted to jump on before the BYU game today to give my thoughts about the MWC tournament.

(1) BYU vs. (9) CSU
The rub: BYU is the best team in the league, and BYU travels to Vegas better than any other team in the MWC, besides... you know, Vegas. Plus CSU's best player, Stu Creason, is out with injury. Their back up big man, Ronny Aguilar, got five fouls in five minutes last night against Wyoming. This is going to be a bloodbath.
Prediction: BYU wins easy

(4) SDSU vs. (5) Air Force
The rub: Air Force can be a tough team... at home. Away from the Clune Arena they look like the Quintuplets. San Diego State is going to run them up and down and sideways. Look for Lorenzo Wade to do pretty much whatever he wants.
Prediction: SDSU

(3) New Mexico vs. (6) Utah
The rub: This matchup is actually pretty intriguing. Utah is a better team than their seed suggests, but they have problems finishing games. Case in point, the last time these two teams met, Utah was down by three, but couldn't get anything more than a lay-in, giving the Lobos the one point win. The deciding factor will be Co-Player of the Year J.R. Giddens. If he turns it on, Utah won't be able to stop him. If he doesn't show up, which has happened a few times this year, Utah will pull off the upset.
Prediction: Utah wins a close one.

(2) UNLV vs. (7) TCU
The rub: When UNLV gets going on their home court, they can challenge BYU as the best team in the conference. Their defense is almost impossible to penetrate. They are quick, tough, and when the crowd gets behind them they'll hit shots all day. Especially dangerous are Rebel guards Curtis Terry and Wink Adams. In other words, TCU is finished.
Prediction: UNLV wins easily

***UPDATE***

(1) BYU defeats (9) CSU, 89-62.

First of all, I told you so. Second, CSU gave us a run for our money for about 1/3 of the game, so give them credit for that.

Great game, and great win for BYU. I just want to mention one thing: I looked up with about three minutes left in the game and noticed my favorite lineup: Loyd, Martineau, Rose, Collinsworth and Miles. Not wanting to miss a golden opportunity for cheap humor, I grabbed a pen and paper and documented each offensive series. Here's how it went when I started taking notes:

1. Miles is fouled. 0-2 FT. Nothing special here.
2. Martineau drives, and travels. Buckle up for some laughs, I say to myself.
3. Loyd hits an open three. Apparently no one told him we were already up by 25.
4. Miles is fouled again. 1-2 FT. Miles is a good player.
5. Rose touches the ball, I get on the edge of my seat, and he actually makes a good move and hits a 5-footer. Good work, Rose. You earned your chants this afternoon.
6. Miles misses a 7 footer. Give the ball to Rose!
7. Loyd drives to the hoop and lays it in.
8. Loyd dribbles out the clock.

So I guess my favorite lineup didn't deliver in the laugh department this time, but maybe that's better in the long run.