Bracketbusters

The pairings for this year's Bracketbusters matchups were announced yesterday on the Bracketbuster Selection Show.  Yes Virginia, there is a Bracketbusters Selection Show...

Siena @ Butler

Old Dominion @ Northern Iowa

Wichita State @ Utah State
College of Charleston @ George Mason
Morgan State @ Murray State
New Mexico State @ Pacific
Western Carolina @ Kent State

Akron @ VCU

Nevada @ Missouri State

Louisiana Tech @ Northeastern
William & Mary @ Iona

Quick Observations

• With only 5 teams represented in the marquee games, Ren's teams are largely irrelevant for the event.  Wasting picks on 2 teams from the SWAC, 3 from the Big West, and 3 teams from the Southland Conference will do that to you.  It's not like the dude watches basketball anyway.
• Siena appears to be the big winner in terms of having an opportunity to benefit the most from Bracketbusters.  It won't be easy as the Saints will be facing #23 Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse.  Siena holds the nation's longest winning streak at 13 games.  They scheduled many tough teams during their nonconference slate (including Temple, Georgia Tech, and N Iowa) but were unsuccessful in securing a signature win.  If they can beat Butler in a battle of 2 of the more successful midmajors in the last 5 years, they'll have that win.  Siena is currently undefeated at 12-0 in the MAAC conference.
• Likewise, Old Dominion will have an opportunity for a big road win when it travels to face #15 N Iowa.  According to Joe Lunardi's latest bracketology, ODU is one of the last 4 teams in the tournament so a win over N Iowa will help immensely.  Points will be hard to come by as both teams are among the best defensive teams in the country.  
• Wichita St (RPI #48) vs Utah St (RPI #54): both teams are right on the bubble with the Shockers being one of the first 4 teams out according to Lunardi.  Stew Morrill's Aggies are playing efficient basketball and have come a long way since getting blown out by Louisiana Tech in January.  Utah St is 9-3 in their past 12 games. It is one of two Ren vs Stimpy bracketbuster battles on the schedule and by far the most significant one.  
• Both Morgan St and Murray St are undefeated in their respective conferences.  Thus there are bragging rights at stake for the MEAC and OVC.