Western Athletic: Conference Tournament Preview

Begins: March 12
Championship Game: March 14
Television Coverage: ESPNU
Tournament Bracket: http://www.wacsports.com/fls/10100/docs/pdfs/ASN/bracketcombined.pdf?SPSID=45988&SPID=4126&DB_OEM_ID=10100


Overview:

No current WAC team has ever won a conference tournament title except for New Mexico St. That statement is totally true. It's also a bit misleading. Twelve schools have left the league since 2011, including 7 teams who left in 2013. So, yes, New Mexico St. has dominated the league - they have won 4 of the last 5 tournament championships - but the league is also made up of newcomers (New Mexico St. is the only team to have played in the WAC longer than 3 years). Those newcomers will try to tackle the reigning champion and favorite to win again this year.

Favorite to Win: New Mexico St. (21-10, 13-1)

New Mexico St. might be the only team standing after a round of conference shuffling, but they have been a force in the WAC for a long time now. They have won the WAC Tournament 5 of the last 8 years, including each of the last 3. Credit Marvin Menzies and his staff with creating that New Mexico St. dynasty. Menzies came on board 7 years ago and has made the Aggies the favorite year in and year out. This season has been no different. The Aggies have won 16 of their last 17 games and are 13-1 in WAC play. They are the number one seed and the overwhelming favorite to win the championship for the 4th year in a row.

Most Likely to Upset Favorite: Seattle (14-14, 7-7)

Even though they are only 7-7 in conference and 14-14 overall, the best best to knock off the Aggies might be Seattle. The Redhawks are the only team to have beaten New Mexico St. in conference play this season, a 6 point win at home. True, New Mexico St. beat Seattle by 26 just a few weeks ago, but who hasn't New Mexico St. beaten soundly in this conference? Seattle is still the only team to be able to boast of a win over the Aggies. That makes them the most likely to do it again.

Dark Horse to Win: UMKC (13-18, 8-6)

If someone takes down New Mexico St., who will be going dancing from this conference? It's a question easier posed than answered. There is a quartet of teams with a chance: Grand Canyon, CSU Bakersfield, UMKC, and the aforementioned Redhawks. Of those, UMKC may have the best chance. The Kangaroos are the tournament's 2 seed and wouldn't have to face New Mexico St. until the final. It's a long shot, but then again, it's a long shot for anyone to win other than the Aggies of New Mexico St.

Expected Tournament Bid(s): Conference Tournament Champion

New Mexico St. has had a fine season, but at 21-10 with an RPI of 118, they are not at-large material. A loss in the conference tournament would send the Aggies to the NIT. It will be just one bid for the WAC. The question is, can anyone but New Mexico St. get it?