Zip It

Really, those odds on Can't seem pretty good. Akron should beat them after having a week to practice without Abreu...but strictly from a betting point of view, I think Can't has at least a better chance than the "field". They're 8-2 in last 10 with two losses being in OT at OU and by 6 points at WMU. Whether they play BSU or Buff, they'll have an overwhelming crowd advantage Thursday night.

To add dynamics, how about possibility of Can't, Buffalo, and Ball State all on Akron side? Ball State should beat NIU at home. BGSU would probably be favored to beat Buffalo at home. Toledo has good chance to win at EMU. If so, you have: #5 Ball State (8-8) #6 BGSU (7-9) Based on 2-1 head-to-head record vs. Buff/EMU #7 EMU (7-9) Based on 1-1 record vs. BG/Buff #8 Buffalo (7-9) Based on 1-2 record vs. BG/EMU Buffalo would be buried and need 3 wins to get to Semi's, but they'll have an easy home game (probably CMU), then have to beat Ball State, and then Can't. Fortunately, only one survives to play Akron, but the tournament is often a matter of who gets hot and there are a few players on those teams that can get hot. Ball State's won 6 of last 7 (make it 7 of 8 after NIU game) including beating WMU twice. Cant's won 6 of 7 and has likely 1st team MAC player Evans. And, of course, the Buffalo loss.

No. EMU was a #9, Duke was the 8th. No MAC team has been better than a #9 since the tournament expanded to 64 teams. Unfortunately, when 10 of the MAC universities are within 200 mile radius of each other and cannibalizing each other over the left overs of Big Ten/Cincy/Xavier/etc., it really anchors the RPI of the good MAC teams. I think the Zips are likely a 11 if they win out, maybe a 10. They'd probably be a 12th seed if they back into an at-large seed. http://www.databasesports.com/ncaab/tourney.htm?yr=1996