The RTC Podblast: ACC Tournament Edition

Posted by rtmsf on March 11th, 2014

The regular season is over, Championship Week is here, and it’s now or never for all of the teams that have talked a rather big game but haven’t necessarily backed it up with their play on the court. To that end, we’re going to be rolling out nine RTC Podblasts this week, one to preview each of the seven power conference tournaments as well as the Atlantic 10 and the Mountain West (to scroll through all that have been released, click here). In this, our ACC Tournament edition, RTC microwriter Matt Patton (@rise_and_fire) joins us to discuss a top-heavy field headed to Greensboro. The Big East, AACSEC and Big 12 Tournament pods were released on Monday, and the Big Ten and Pac-12 Tourney previews came out earlier today. Be sure to check back for the A-10 and MW preview podblasts tomorrow. Enjoy!

Make sure to add the RTC Podcast to your iTunes lineup so that you’ll automatically upload it on your listening device after we record.

  • 0:00-3:17 – Virginia Earned Its ACC Title
  • 3:17-8:06 – Best ACC Team and NCAA Tournament Potential
  • 8:06-12:09 – Disappointing ACC Teams
  • 12:09-13:51 – Predictions to Be Proud Of
  • 13:51-20:29 – ACC POY and First Team Discussion
  • 20:29-23:43 – Is Virginia the Favorite in Greensboro?
  • 23:43-25:43 – Dark Horse Picks
  • 25:43-28:04 – Pitt’s Upside/Downside in the ACC Tournament
  • 28:04-30:53 – Team With the Most to Gain
  • 30:53-33:40 – Final Thoughts on the ACC Tournament
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The RTC Podblast: Pac-12 Tournament Edition

Posted by rtmsf on March 11th, 2014

The regular season is over, Championship Week is here, and it’s now or never for all of the teams that have talked a rather big game but haven’t necessarily backed it up with their play on the court. To that end, we’re going to be rolling out nine RTC Podblasts this week, one to preview each of the seven power conference tournaments as well as the Atlantic 10 and the Mountain West (to scroll through all that have been released, click here). In this, our Pac-12 Tournament edition, RTC microwriter Andrew Murawa (@amurawa) joins us to discuss what he expects to see this week in Sin City. And he talks some basketball too. The Big East, AACSEC and Big 12 Tournament pods were released on Monday, and the Big Ten preview came out earlier today. The ACC will drop a bit later this afternoon, with the A-10 and MW coming tomorrow. Enjoy!

Make sure to add the RTC Podcast to your iTunes lineup so that you’ll automatically upload it on your listening device after we record.

  • 0:00-5:16 – With or Without Brandon Ashley – Arizona is the Class of the Pac-12
  • 5:16-6:57 – Disappointing Teams
  • 6:57-9:02 – Stanford Vindicates Drew
  • 9:02-13:02 – What the Pac-12 Bubble Teams Need to Do in Vegas
  • 13:02-13:58 – Teams With the Most to Gain
  • 13:58-19:02 – Non-Arizona Options to Win
  • 19:02-25:03 – Pac-12 Superlatives
  • 25:03- Previewing Drew’s Days in Vegas
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The RTC Podblast: Big Ten Tournament Edition

Posted by rtmsf on March 11th, 2014

The regular season is over, Championship Week is here, and it’s now or never for all of the teams that have talked a rather big game but haven’t necessarily backed it up with their play on the court. To that end, we’re going to be rolling out nine RTC Podblasts this week, one to preview each of the seven power conference tournaments as well as the Atlantic 10 and the Mountain West (to scroll through all that have been released, click here). In this, our Big Ten Tournament edition, RTC microwriter Deepak Jayanti (@dee_b1g) joins us to discuss one of the most interesting conference tourneys heading into Indianapolis. The Big EastAACSEC and Big 12 Tournament pods were released on Monday, and the Pac-12 and ACC will be out a bit later today with the others dropping on Wednesday. Enjoy!

Make sure to add the RTC Podcast to your iTunes lineup so that you’ll automatically upload it on your listening device after we record.

  • 0:00-2:52 – Michigan’s Surprise Big Ten Title
  • 2:52-9:47 – Which Team Is the Best and Which Team Has the Most Potential
  • 9:47-13:00 – Big Disappointments in the Big Ten
  • 13:00-14:52 – Preseason Predictions Review
  • 14:52-17:49 – All-Big Ten and POY Discussion
  • 17:49-22:09 – Non-Michigan Choices to Win the Big Ten Tournament
  • 22:09-23:57 – Bubble Team Requirements to Make the NCAA Tournament
  • 23:57-25:37 – Teams With a Lot to Gain
  • 25:37-27:03 – Can Michigan State’s Vets Get It Together?
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The RTC Podblast: Big 12 Tournament Edition

Posted by rtmsf on March 10th, 2014

The regular season is over, Championship Week is here, and it’s now or never for all of the teams that have talked a rather big game but haven’t necessarily backed it up with their play on the court. To that end, we’re going to be rolling out nine RTC Podblasts this week, one to preview each of the seven power conference tournaments as well as the Atlantic 10 and the Mountain West (to scroll through all that have been released, click here). In this, our Big 12 Tournament edition, RTC microwriter Brian Goodman (@bsgoodman) joins us to discuss one of the deepest tourney fields in college basketball heading into Kansas City. The Big East, AAC and SEC Tournament pods have already released, and the remainder will come out a bit later this week.

Make sure to add the RTC Podcast to your iTunes lineup so that you’ll automatically upload it on your listening device after we record.

  • 0:00-7:53 – Death, Taxes and Kansas Winning the Big 12 Regular Season Title
  • 7:53-11:22 – Biggest Surprise in the Big 12
  • 11:22-14:34 – Reactions to the Conference Awards
  • 14:34-17:01 – Kansas a Less Than Prohibitive Favorite in Kansas City
  • 17:01-19:04 – Non-Kansas Picks to Win the Tournament
  • 19:04-23:10 – What The Big 12 Tournament Means for NCAA Tournament
  • 23:10-25:25 – Anything Can Happen at the Sprint Center
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The RTC Podblast: AAC Tournament Edition

Posted by rtmsf on March 10th, 2014

The regular season is over, Championship Week is here, and it’s now or never for all of the teams that have talked a rather big game but haven’t necessarily backed it up with their play on the court. To that end, we’re going to be rolling out nine RTC Podblasts this week, one to preview each of the seven power conference tournaments as well as the Atlantic 10 and the Mountain West (to scroll through all that have been released, click here). In this, our AAC Tournament edition, RTC microwriter Mike Lemaire (@mike_lemaire) joins us to discuss the haves and have-nots in this unbelievably stratified league. The Big East and SEC Tournament pods have already released; the Big 12 Tournament edition will release a bit later today; and the remainder will come a bit later this week. So keep an eye out.

Make sure to add the RTC Podcast to your iTunes lineup so that you’ll automatically upload it on your listening device after we record.

  • 0:00-4:37 – Cincinnati and Louisville Tied at the Top
  • 4:37-5:54 – Disappointing Teams
  • 5:54-8:58 – Evaluating First Year of the American
  • 8:58-13:19 – Great POY Race and Other First Teamers
  • 13:19-15:13 – Will Lack of Size Affect Teams in the NCAA Tournament?
  • 15:13-17:58 – Preseason Predictions Reviewed and Celebrating SMU
  • 17:58-18:44 – Which Top Team is the Favorite?
  • 18:44-20:47 – Team With the Most to Gain
  • 20:47-23:08 – Bottom Five Team With Best Chance to Win a Game
  • 23:08-25:25 – Dream Championship Game
  • 25:25-27:50 – What Will the Crowd Be Like for Louisville and Memphis?
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The RTC Podblast: SEC Tournament Edition

Posted by rtmsf on March 10th, 2014

The regular season is over, Championship Week is here, and it’s now or never for all of the teams that have talked a rather big game but haven’t necessarily backed it up with their play on the court. To that end, we’re going to be rolling out nine RTC Podblasts this week, one to preview each of the seven power conference tournaments as well as the Atlantic 10 and the Mountain West (to scroll through all that have been released, click here). In this, our SEC Tournament edition, RTC microwriter Brian Joyce (@bjoyce_hoops) joins us to discuss Florida and the 13 dwarves heading into Atlanta this week. If you’re interested, the Big East Tournament podcast released this morning, while the Big 12 and AAC Tournament editions follow a bit later today. Join us!

Make sure to add the RTC Podcast to your iTunes lineup so that you’ll automatically upload it on your listening device after we record

  • 0:00-8:54 – Florida’s Perfect SEC Season
  • 8:54-14:59 – Kentucky’s No-So-Perfect Season
  • 14:59-18:41 – Prediction Reflections
  • 18:41-23:22 – All Conference and SEC POY Discussion
  • 23:22-26:41 – Non-Florida Picks for the SEC Tournament
  • 26:41-29:09 – Which Bubble Team Needs a Win the Most?
  • 29:09-30:25 – One Thing to Watch For
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The RTC Podblast: Big East Tournament Edition

Posted by rtmsf on March 10th, 2014

The regular season is over, Championship Week is here, and it’s now or never for all of the teams that have talked a rather big game but haven’t necessarily backed it up with their play on the court. To that end, we’re going to be rolling out nine RTC Podblasts this week, one to preview each of the seven power conference tournaments as well as the Atlantic 10 and the Mountain West (to scroll through all that have been released, click here). In this, our Big East Tournament edition, RTC columnist Brian Otskey (@botskey) joins us to discuss what appears to be a fairly wide-open field this week at Madison Square Garden. The SEC, Big 12 and AAC Tournament editions will release a bit later today, with the remainder coming later this week. Join us!

Make sure to add the RTC Podcast to your iTunes lineup so that you’ll automatically upload it on your listening device after we record.

  • 0:00-4:13 – Villanova’s Surprisingly Great Season
  • 4:13-5:49 – First Big East Season a Success For Creighton
  • 5:49-8:04 – Big East Superlatives
  • 8:04-10:30 – Perception and Strength of the “New” Big East
  • 10:30-11:40 – Who is the Favorite in the Big East Tournament?
  • 11:40-16:07 – Darkhorse Teams That Can Win The Tournament
  • 16:07-18:08 – Bubble Teams in Need of Wins
  • 18:08-19:14 – Seeds for Villanova and Creighton
  • 19:14-21:24 – Atmosphere at the New Big East Tourney
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Conference Tournament Primer: Missouri Valley Conference

Posted by Adam Stillman on March 6th, 2014

Day four of Championship Fortnight means three more conferences tipping off today, so what better way to get you through the next two weeks of games than to break down each of the Other 26′s conference tournaments. Today, the MAAC, MVC and WCC get started.

Dates: March 6-9
Site: Scottrade Center (Saint Louis, MO)

2014 mvc tourney bracket

What to expect: The big story here will be Wichita State’s undefeated season. Can the Shockers become the first team since 1991 UNLV to enter the NCAA Tournament with an unblemished record? Or will Indiana State or Northern Iowa pull an upset and force Wichita State to settle for equaling 10-year-old history? Recall Saint Joseph’s went unbeaten during the 2004 regular season before falling in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament. The MVC is down compared to years past, undoubtedly exacerbated by Creighton’s departure to the Big East, and it will be a shocker if Wichita State and Indiana State don’t meet in Sunday’s tournament final.

Favorite: Wichita State. As if this needed answering. The Shockers have romped through the Missouri Valley this season, winning their 18 games by an average 15.6 points per game. Wichita State is a top-15 team on offense and defense, according to Ken Pomeroy, and it would be a monumental upset if the Shockers don’t enter the NCAA Tournament with a 34-0 record.

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Conference Tournament Primer: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

Posted by Tommy Lemoine on March 6th, 2014

Day four of Championship Fortnight means three more conferences tipping off today, so what better way to get you through the next two weeks of games than to break down each of the Other 26′s conference tournaments. Today, the MAAC, MVC and WCC get started.

Dates: March 6, 8-10
Site: MassMutual Center (Springfield, MA)

MAAC

What to expect: The highest seed has not won this tournament since 2010, but that could change this year with Iona atop the league standings. The offensive-minded Gaels have advanced to the Big Dance in each of the last two seasons – including as an at-large bid in 2012 – and look poised to make a return, winning 13 of their final 14 games and playing steady, efficient basketball along the way. The one loss in that span was to Manhattan, the Gaels’ most likely challenger in Springfield. George Beamon’s 20 points per game leads the Jaspers offensively, but it is on the defensive end where Steve Masiello’s squad has the distinct advantage – center Rhamel Brown is a long, game-changer in the paint who boasts the highest block rate in the country. If Manhattan and Iona meet up in the conference championship on Monday night, it will be must-watch television. And don’t ignore Canisius, either — the team’s electrifying point guard, Billy Baron, averages more than 25 points per outing and is capable of catching fire at any moment.

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Conference Tournament Primer: Ohio Valley Conference

Posted by Adam Stillman on March 5th, 2014

It’s day three of Championship Fortnight and with three more conferences tipping off today, what better way to get you through the next two weeks of games than to break down each of the Other 26′s conference tournaments. Today, the Big South, NEC and OVC get started.

Dates: March 5-8
Site: Nashville Municipal Auditorium

2014 ovc bracket

What to expect: A battle royale between top-seeded Belmont and second-seeded Murray State. Belmont earned the OVC’s automatic bid in the Bruins’ inaugural season in the league last year, while Murray State took those honors the year before. They look to be on a title-game collision course, and either could be a threat to advance in the Big Dance.

Favorite: Belmont. Move over Murray State, Belmont is the new king of the Ohio Valley. The Bruins won the regular season title for the second straight season, thanks to a 14-2 league mark. Murray State finished at 13-3, and remember, Belmont won AT North Carolina in mid-November.

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