Record: 64-59
Ohio Pick vs. Akron
Akron has made it to the title game without Alex Abreu, but they will feel his loss here in this one. The Zips beat Ohio twice in the regular season 88-81 and 86-72. They haven't played their best basketball right now as they try to survive the loss of their point guard. It was a gutty three point win over Kent State, but revenge is at stake in this one. DJ Cooper should be able to get whatever he wants for the Bobcats as he finds things easier without Abreu. The Zips are heading to the NIT after they lose to Ohio in the MAC title game.
Pacific Moneyline vs. UC Irvine
There's a lot on the line for Pacific in this one as heralded coach Bob Thomason has said he will retire at the end of the year. He's been there for 25 years and has a good enough team this year to take the Big West crown. They got a gift from the Anteaters who knocked out Long Beach State, the one seed overall. The two teams split their games which came late in the season. UC Irvine won at home 68-59 on February 20th but lost at Pacific 70-62 on March 7th. I'm going nostalgic with this pick and taking the more balanced Tigers in this one.
New Mexico State -4 vs. UT Arlington
The WAC is another conference that saw a lot of carnage as both Denver and Louisiana Tech lost leaving us with New Mexico State and UT Arlington, in their first year in the conference. The Aggies are a dangerous squad who has made the tournament before and has the talent to do so again. Four players put up double figures in scoring including Sim Bhullar who is a hard cover for anyone. He had 22 points and nine blocks in two games against UT-Arlington. The Mavericks are the deeper team with Kevin Butler leading the way, but I think the Aggies take care of business and take the WAC.