Mid-Continent Conference Tournament Preview
The Mid-Continent Conference is another league that was basically a two-team conference for most of the season. Oral Roberts edged out UMKC by one game as a result of the Kangaroos losing two of their final three, and ORU winning 12 of their last 14 heading into the tournament. Two other teams finished above .500 in league play.
Favorites: Oral Roberts is the hottest team in the conference currently. They have one of the best mid-major duos in Caleb Green and Ken Tutt, in addition to a solid rebounder in Larry Owens, one of the nation's best 3-point shooters in Luke Spencer-Gardner, and the Mid-Con assists leader, Jonathan Bluitt. All five also average over one steal per game. UMKC defeated ORU twice, but are not hot right now. They use five players for the majority of the game, and the Kangaroos also have five guys in double figures. Carlton Aaron leads the conference in rebounds, and Mike English gives him a solid forward sidekick. Brandon Temple and Quinton Day are the perimeter options. Valparaiso has one of the best all-around players in the conference in Dan Oppland.
Sleepers: IUPUI has won five of their last seven, and they have a nice balance between offense and defense. Brandon Cole and Akeem Clark are a great wing combo that can carry the Jaguars to a couple of wins. Oakland has the league's highest scoring duo in 6-7 Rawle Marshall and 6-6 Cortney Scott, who combine for 38 points and 15 rebounds per game.
Prediction: Oral Roberts has the most talent of any team in the league, and that should prevail during the conference tournament. They are on a roll lately, and no one looks capable of stopping them, as evidenced by their 14 ppg margin in the past 12 wins. Tutt and Green can be unstoppable at times, and will carry the Golden Eagles to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Favorites: Oral Roberts is the hottest team in the conference currently. They have one of the best mid-major duos in Caleb Green and Ken Tutt, in addition to a solid rebounder in Larry Owens, one of the nation's best 3-point shooters in Luke Spencer-Gardner, and the Mid-Con assists leader, Jonathan Bluitt. All five also average over one steal per game. UMKC defeated ORU twice, but are not hot right now. They use five players for the majority of the game, and the Kangaroos also have five guys in double figures. Carlton Aaron leads the conference in rebounds, and Mike English gives him a solid forward sidekick. Brandon Temple and Quinton Day are the perimeter options. Valparaiso has one of the best all-around players in the conference in Dan Oppland.
Sleepers: IUPUI has won five of their last seven, and they have a nice balance between offense and defense. Brandon Cole and Akeem Clark are a great wing combo that can carry the Jaguars to a couple of wins. Oakland has the league's highest scoring duo in 6-7 Rawle Marshall and 6-6 Cortney Scott, who combine for 38 points and 15 rebounds per game.
Prediction: Oral Roberts has the most talent of any team in the league, and that should prevail during the conference tournament. They are on a roll lately, and no one looks capable of stopping them, as evidenced by their 14 ppg margin in the past 12 wins. Tutt and Green can be unstoppable at times, and will carry the Golden Eagles to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
posted by Jeff at 7:36 PM
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