The NCBBA Men's season is just around the corner with games tipping off November 4th. The big question on everyone’s mind is what teams are going to dominate their conferences, and look to be bracket busters or title contenders on the road to the national championship? We asked our panel of experts to vote on each conference’s winner and runner-up to find out what some “April Absurdity” may look like around the league.
Great Lakes Regional:
1. Purdue (South Champion)
The reigning national champions Purdue may have lost starting PG Zach Hodgins and C Emerson Halbleib but they still return 10 players from last years 24-2 team, including sharpshooter Gunnar Reffeitt who was a 2nd team All-American and 3rd in the nation in 3’s. They also add NCAA D3 transfers 6’8” wing Will Lasater from Grinnell and G Jake Tarnow from Wabash to reload instead of rebuild.
2. Notre Dame (North Champion)
3. Wright State (East Champion)
Wright State returns the nation’s leading scorer and 1st team All-American SG Mitchell Foland. It also adds 3 college transfers to the starting lineup including 6’8” C Tre Johnson. The Raiders will score at will against opponents, and if they can keep opposing offenses in check, they will be a team to be feared in the Great Lakes Region.
4. Missouri- Black (West Champion)
5. Ohio State (East Runner-Up)
6. DePaul (North Runner-Up)
7. Indiana (South Runner-up)
8 Creighton (West Runner-Up)
Mid-Atlantic Regional:
1. Radford (South Champion)
2.Towson (East Champion)
Towson was a national qualifier who fell to Bryant in triple overtime. They were an unanimous pick to win the MA-East returning many key players. The Tigers seem to be on a collision course with fellow national qualifier Radford to take the Mid-Atlantic crown.
3. Villanova (North Champion)
4. Georgetown (West Champion)
5. Delaware (North Runner-Up)
6. Virginia (South Runner-Up)
7. Maryland (West Runner-Up)
8. Navy (East Runner-Up)
New England Regional:
1. Northeastern (East Champion)
Northeastern was a young team last year that ended up exceeding expectations and qualifying for the regional tournament. They return 15 players including all 5 starters. Nathaniel Francois will put up All-American numbers, and Max Sussman is a lights out shooter when hot. We think they prove themselves and overcome national qualifier Boston College in the East.
2. UCONN (South Champion)
UCONN returns all five starters from their 23-8 team last year that went undefeated in conference play. We expect nothing different from them this season, and if they can handle contending Bryant they will make easy work of the rest of the NE-South.
3. Vermont (North Champion)
4. Quinnipiac (West Champion)
5. Boston College (East Runner-Up)
6. Bryant (South Runner-Up)
7. Yale (West Runner-Up)
8. Harvard-Hoopsters (North Runner-Up)
North Atlantic Regional:
1. Penn State (South Champion)
2. Albany (North Champion)
3. Syracuse (West Champion)
4. TCNJ (East Champion)
5. St. Bonaventure (West Runner-Up)
6. Montclair State (East Runner-Up)
7. Robert Morris (South Runner-Up)
Robert Morris was a regional qualifier last year in their first NCBBA season. They have switched over to a new region, but this deep and athletic team is up to the challenge and can compete with anybody. Look for this Colonial’s team to push the pace and apply lots of pressure on defense. David Solomon Jr. is one of the toughest guards in the league and will be the key to RMU returning to the regional tournament.
8. Binghamton Green (North Runner-Up)
Pacific Regional:
1. USC – Cardinal (South Champion)
USC has a deep talent pool to choose from that is supplying three teams to the league this year. The Trojans won their NIRSA conference championship last year going 17-4 overall. They return every starter and will be the team to beat in the wild west.
2. Cal Poly Pomona (North Champion)
3. UCLA (South Runner-Up)
4. Stanford (North Runner-Up)
South-Atlantic Regional:
1. Auburn (South Champion)
2. South Carolina (North Champion)
3. Florida State (South Runner-Up)
Florida State looks to avenge their regional semi-final loss from last year. They will be well tested competing in the Southern California Classic week 3 and traveling to other regional tournaments. With a lot of depth returning from a young team last year they should compete in the SA-South conference.
4. UNCW (North Runner-Up)
If you enjoyed this article, please consider making a tax deductible donation. College Basketball Times is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to equal coverage for all levels of college hoops - including NCBBA. The operation of this site is made possible through your generous donations.
(Tax Deductible)