On the Second Day of Conference Tourneys...

THE KENNETH.

The Buffet gave to me -

Belmont's near perfection. Class Division in the Patriot. And the 5 streakers in the O. V. C.

Last Night In...

Welcome back Buffeteers, to day two of the 12 Days of Conference Tourneys. Last night held mostly to form, with the Buffet predicted continued demise of Liberty as the only upset of the night.

Coastal Carolina got 23 points apiece from Chad Gray and Anthony Raffa off the bench, as well as a double-double from Seth McLaurin (14 and 14) to push a 1 point halftime lead to an 11 point opening round victory over Gardner-Webb, avenging an earlier loss and getting some well needed momentum back on their aside. 9 threes and 55% FG shooting helped silence the upset minded Runnin' Bulldogs - who got 18 points from Laron Buggs and 14 from Jonathan Moore in the loss. (CC 83 G-W 72)

23 and 9 from Stan Okoye helped propel VMI into a showdown with the top-seed, as they outlasted Winthrop 78-73 in an incredibly competitive first round Big South matchup. Charles Corbin had 19 and 12, as the Eagles whittled down a 10 point lead all the way to 2 with 37 seconds lefts, but 3 of 4 FT shooting and a pair of missed threes sealed it (VMI 78- Winthrop 73)

A dominant second half, including a 5 minute 15-2 run, propelled UNC-Asheville (behind a career-high 29 points from Matt Dickey, and 11/7 from John Williams) to a 72-63 victory over Charleston Southern, who got 20 points from new career school scoring champ Jamarco Warren, and 16/11 (with 3 steals and 2 blocks) from Kelvin Martin in a losing cause. (UNC-A 72 - Char So 63)

One of the worst Big South tournament losses (89-44 in 2006) was avenged last night as the 7th seeded Panthers of High Point capped Big South underdog sensations 2010 San Diego Padre-like late season crumble with a 66-60 win in Lynchburg. Shay Shine proved too much with 20 of his 26 points coming in the second half. Big South POY had 15 points for Liberty, but it wasn't enough as 12 of 17 shooting and Nick Barbour's 11 point contribution did the Flames in. (HP 66 - Lib 60)

In the Horizon, the Penguins made a go of it, roaring back from a 19 point deficit to make it 71-70 with 2:47 left, but stifling defense down the stretch, Brandon Wood's double-double (20/13), Cory Johnson's 15 points and Howard Little's 14 helped the Valpo Crusaders protect their seed and home court in an 80-71 opening round victory. Damian Eargle was the Penguin hero, with 21 points and 9 rebounds. (Valp 80 - Y-St 71)

The city of Green Bay can go back to celebrating the Packers, as 1 point halftime lead was turned on its ear and into a 10 point loss, as frozen 3pt shooting (13%) doomed the Phoenix. Vaughn Duggins was again the man with a 22 pt/7 rebound performance, as only Alec Brown (15 pts) and Jarvis Williams (10 pts) could get ANYTHING going for Green Bay, meanwhile Cooper Land (11 pts) and Armond Battle (10 off the bench) provided ample support for the Raiders (Wr St 60 - Wis-GB 50)

A pair of Chicago-area schools will be home for March -- Norris Cole had 26 points, 5 rebs and 4 assists, to go with 17 from Jeremy Montgomery and 13 from Trevor Harmon as the Vikings overwhelmed UIC and Paul Carter (18 points, off of 16 FT attempts -- something to watch, whether Cleveland St can be overpowered inside). Robo Kreps had a final game to forget, shooting 3 of 13 to finish with 10 points and 7 rebounds. (Clev St 73- UIC 61)

And finally Detroit pounded Loyola-Chicago, 90-69 - behind 6 players in double-figures (led by Chase Simon's 19 points, and Ray McCallums 16) - 4 players were in double figures for Loyola, but turnovers (17) shooting (18 % from 3, 32% overall) again were the Achilles heels for the Ramblers (Det 89 - Loy-Chi 69)

Lovin' our Country - the Patriot League

Is there a more appropriate way to declare love for the ol' USofA than to be dominant at the top? (Jingoism alert!)

Bucknell and American University took this theme and ran with it, finishing a combined 24-4 in conference this season.

Bucknell's lone loss was a January 29 road 20-point drubbing at last-place Army (where 12 Army 3s and 60% first half shooting was too much for the Bison to overcome), otherwise they have won 20 of 22, including a 1-pt win at Waiting Line member Richmond and a tough 4 point loss at another Waiting Liner, Boston College. Featuring a lineup of well-balanced scoring, Bucknell is led by big man sophomore Mike Muscala, 2011 Patriot League POY who averages 14.9 points and 7.4 rebounds, while generally staying out of foul trouble (only 2.6 per game) and cleaning up at the line (81%), his pair of double-doubles versus American (33/10 and 21/10) prove he likes the bright lights of key Patriot League matchups. Another sophomore, Bryson Johnson (a 6'1 guard) is the teams second leading scorer, chipping in with 11.5 points and he is a deadly shooter (47% from the field, 80% from FT line and 47% from long range). The kiddie corps is backed up by a pair of experience seniors, G.W. Boon (a 6'4 swingman) averaging 9 points and 4 rebounds and steadying force, Darryl Shazier, with his 8.4 pts, 5.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and a sweet 3.93 A/TO ratio. This team as a whole shoots 45% from the field, 79% from the line and 40% from 3 ... it is no wonder they were the class of the Patriot League. *Upset watch* For those of you paying attention, and judging by the attendance, you may not be, above we listed "last-place" next to Army's school name, well, in an 8 team league and 8 team tournament, traditionally the 8 seed opens against the 1 seed, which means tonight pits the only team to beat Bucknell during the conference regular season.

Up the task, however, was American, dropping just 3 games all conference season long (swept by Bucknell and had their own 2o-point loss to a Service Academy: to Navy, 72-53). Winning was their anthem, but they did require a litle more effort, with 6 of their 11 wins coming by 6 points or less. They do ride in on a 5 game winning streak led by Bucharest native (and George Mason transfer) Vlad Moldoveanu and his 19.9 points and 6.3 rebounds (the big man can also shoot free-throws, hitting 84% of his tosses). He brings to the court a three man main support system, consisting of junior forward, Stephen Lumpkins (13.5 points, 7.9 rebounds), junior guard (and Georgia transfer) Troy Brewer (good size 6'5, good range 38% from 3s - 11.6 points and 4 rebounds), and resident stat sheeter - Nick Hendra (7.8 points, 4.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds). Concerns include losses at home to Columbia, a general inability to be competitive in big spots (losses by 21 to WV, 19 to Florida, 16 to Northwestern, 15 to Pittsburgh (that really wasn't this close and was 34-18 at halftime), but they did fight tooth and nail with Bucknell on February 9th, pulling ahead 58-57 with 4 minutes left in Lewisburg, before the scoring faucets were switched off and they couldn't get another point until the final 8 seconds (which were a pair of 1/2 FT efforts -- begging the question why Bucknell fouled twice in the last 10 seconds of an 8 points game)

At 7-7, Holy Cross finished 3rd in the League this year, and they are hoping a finishing 3 of 4 streak plus 4 super competitive games against the cream of the crop (4 losses by 4 points or less to American & Bucknell) can be a harbinger of their tournament hopes (more so than their 1-13 start to the season). They feature probably the top 1-2 punch in Devin Brown/Andrew Keister, and have adjusted to the loss of guard R.J. Evans. Brown (a junior guard), 15.6 pts, 1.5 assists, 2.1 rebounds, is a just a Patriot League marksman, hitting 42% of his shots and 81% of his FTs and has averaged 20 per game in his last ten, and Keister (a 6'9 senior) averaging 12.7 pts and 9 rebounds, has become a double-double machine -- with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds (including 20 and 16 his last time out) in his last 6 games. This issue has been who else, on this underachieving outfit? Of late it has been St. John's transfer Mike Cavataio, averaging 8.8 for the season, but 12.3 over his last 9.

3 teams tied at 6-8, with the tiebreaker getting to the defending league champs, Lehigh.

The Mountain Hawks have not been able to sustain any momentum turning 3 game win streaks into 2 game losing streaks all season long. A pair of ugly losses to end the season do not project well for them coming into the tourney. Now, they leadoff the Patriot League tourney with Navy, who finished the season sandwiching an 11 point loss to American around a pair of blowout wins. Lehigh has struggled trying to replace departed seniors Zahir Carrington & Marquis Hill behind their leader, big time scoring sophomore, C.J. McCollum - who put up 21.8 pts, 7.8 rebs, and 2.5 steals per game. Two guys who did step up was sophomore forward, Gabe Knutson, averaging 12.1 pts and 5.8 rebounds and Michael Ojo, a tall lanky senior guard averaging 11.2 pts and 4 rebounds per game. Freshman PG Mackey McKnight is the key to this squad, and his inconsistency has put the Mountain Hawks on an up and down roller coaster. Can this young squad focus their talent and consistency in time for the Patriot League tourney, or will 2011-12 be their return to glory.

The Midshipmen with their pair of leaders out the top contenders for the Patriot League title -- Jordan Sugars and his 16.2 pts and 6.1 rebounds pace the Academy, he has been on fire of late, averaging 17.5 points over his last 6, and he is co-starred by J.J. Avila, 2011 Patriot League Freshman of the Year, a freshman from McAllen, Texas and his 11.6 pts, 5.2 rebs and 2.3 assists.

The key just may be O.J. Avworo, a senior guard who transferred in from Idaho, who will average 13 ppg over a three-game stretch, then struggle to score 15 total over his next four. Look for Lehigh to go over on Navy in this one, the Midshipmen just don't have the on court fire power to stick with the kiddie corps from Bethlehem.

Who Will Win: Bucknell is just so far and away the best team in this conference, there's no shame in picking them.

Other Patriot League Players to Watch

Jared Mintz, Lafayette - 15.9 pts, 5.8 pts and great shooter around the basket and at the FT line

A trio of dangerous Black Knights: Jeremy Hence (Sr F - 15.8 pts and 5.3 rebs), Ella Ellis (Soph F, 14.3 pts and 5.4 rebs) and Julian Simmons (Jr G - 12.9 pts, 3.2 rebs)

Yaw Gyawu, Colgate Raiders, Jr F - 12.6 pts, 4.4 rebounds

Things You May Not Know: Patriot League Edition

Warren Flood, Jr, American: nephew of former NFL player Fred Stokes

Cameron Ayers, Bucknell: son of former 76ers and The Ohio State University head coach Randy Ayers (nat'l coach of the year in 1991)

Isaiah Roberts, Navy: cousin of former Kent St Flash standout, Al Fisher.

Patriot Quarterfinals 3/2:
7:00 pm - (7) Colgate 53 (2) American 69, CBS College Sports
7:00 pm - (8) Army 51 (1) Bucknell 78, patriotleague.org (PPV)
7:00 pm - (5) Navy 75 (4) Lehigh 87, patriotleague.org (PPV)
7:00 pm - (6) Lafayette77 (3) Holy Cross 70, patriotleague.org (PPV)

Patriot Semifinals 3/6 (at site of higher seed)

5 or 730pm EST - (4) Lehigh at (1) Bucknell, CBS College Sports

5 or 730 pm EST - (6) Lafayette at (2) American, CBS College Sports

Patriot Finals 3/11 (at site of higher seed)

4:45 EST - Lehigh/Bucknell v. Lafayette/American, espn2

Going Tanning in the Atlantic Sun

It's going to a lot of journalistic integrity to give much attention to the Atlantic Sun once we begin and end with Belmont -- and frankily, we can discuss former UofArizona nemesis East Tennessee State, but after that, the rest of the conference has themselves to blame, because the 19-1 Bruins ran roughshod over the conference, and if not for a late January road loss at Lipscomb (certainly understandable in the grand scheme), we'd be discussing a 19 game winning streak, three close losses at Tennessee (9 and 1 points - both on the road) and Vanderbilt (9), and lots of late nights with Tom Brennan, Andy Katz and Joe Lunardi talking the Buffet worthiness of this team. As it is, we should just be talking about how good this team really is. Ranked 20 in the KenPom rankings, 54 in the RPI (thanks for nothing conference), an average margin of victory of 21, the 19th ranked team in defensive efficiency, their pressure man to man to defense put STRESS on an opponent. Watch out for them Buffet, and root for chalktown in the Atlantic Sun, because this team deserves to play in the NCAAs. The best part about them is their depth, 44% of their teams minutes come from the bench (4th most in NCAA hoops) and contributions come from all over the roster -- in fact, 3 of their top scorers come off the bench - they're lead by Sophomore G Ian Clark and his 12.6 pts and sweet shooting, Junior F/C Mick Hedgepeth and his 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds, and then the bench mob: Scott Saunders and his 10.1 pts, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks from the Junior F/C, Jordan Campbell and his 8.2 pts, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals, and Kerron Johnson, and his 7.8 points, 2.7 assists and 2 steals.

East Tennessee St. has the chops. Wins over Dayton & Mississippi State prove that. Just 4 conference losses (two to juggernaut Belmont, 2 others by a total of 2 points) also prove this. But a pair of 10 point losses suggest the chops may not be enough ... we shall see. They certainly have the experience required -- led by 3 seniors and a junior -- and get to the line frequently, and slowing the turnover prone pace forced by Belmont is key. You'll remember the seniors, Buffet readers -- Mike Smith, 2011 Atlantic Sun POY, Sr G averaging 16.9 pts and 6.9 rebounds, Micah Williams and his 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and Justin Tubbs, the glue guy, averaging 9.9 pts and 4.4 rebounds and they are buoyed by juniors Adam Sollazo and his 9.2 pts, 4.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals and Isiah Brown and his 11 pts, 7.3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steals. They are deep, put up numbers, but they can unseat Belmont?

Who Will Win: the Buffet says no. Bias? Probably. Smart money? Certainly.

Other Atlantic Sun'ners to know:

Eric Griffin, Campbell: 6'8 Junior F - 13.1 pts, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 2.1 blocks

Junard Hartley, Campbell: 6'3 Senior G - 10.4 PTS, 3.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals

Torrey Craig, South Carolina Upstate: 6'5 Freshman F - 14.4 pts, 7.2 rebounds (Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year)

Ridge Graham, Stetson: 6'5 Sophomore F - 12.6 pts, 6 rebounds

Corey Walden, Stetson: 6'2 Freshman G - 12 pts, 3.3 apg, 3.3 rebs, 2.3 steals

(future seems bright at Stetson, huh?)

Markeith Cummings, Kennesaw St. - 6'7 Soph G (tall and gangly, perhaps?) 18.2 pts, 4.9 rebs

Anthony Banks, Florida Gulf Coast - 6'6 Soph F - 14.6 pts, 6.4 rebs

Reed Baker, Florida Gulf Coast - 6'1 Sr G - 14.4 pts, 2.6 rebs, 1.6 steals

Jerron Granberry, North Florida - 6'4 Soph G/F - 12 pts, 3.3 rebs

Brian Mills, Mercer - 6'7 Sr F - 15.7 ppg, 5.9 rebs

Jeff Smith, Mercer - 6'2 Sr G - 14.7 ppg, 3.5 ats, 3 rebs

Josh Slater, Lipscomb - 6'3 Sr G - 16.5 pts, 4.7 assists, 6.1 rebounds 3.1 steals (watch this kid, graduating and a real baller)

Adnan Hodzic, Lipscomb - 6'8 Sr F - 18 pts, 7.5 rebounds

What You May Not Know: Atlantic Sun Edition

Another reason to love Belmont? Mick Hedgepeth lists Hoosiers (he was born in 1989) as his favorite movie.

Chad Lang, Belmont: Son of former Phoenix Sun & Charles Barkley trade bait, Andrew Lang

Brandon Barnes, Lipscomb: Son of current Georgia State and former Mississippi head coach Rod Barnes

Carter Sanderson, Lipscomb: Grandson of Mister Plaid Sports Jacket himself - Wimp Sanderson

Brian Wright, Lipscomb: Brother of current New Jersey Net Brendan Wright

University Center - Macon, GA (Mercer University)

3/2 Atlantic Sun Quarterfinals, Day 1:
2:30 pm - (8) Kennesaw State 57 vs (1) Belmont 72, atlanticsun.org (FREE)
9:00 pm - (7) Campbell 53 vs (2) East Tennessee State 54, atlanticsun.org (FREE)

3/3 Atlantic Sun Quarterfinals, Day 2:
2:30 pm - (6) North Florida vs (1) Jacksonville, atlanticsun.org (FREE)
9:00 pm - (5) Mercer vs (4) Lipscomb, atlanticsun.org (FREE)

3/4 Atlantic Sun Semifinals:
6:00 pm - Mercer/Lipscomb vs (1) Belmont, atlanticsun.org, CSS Sports

9:00 pm - No Florida/Jacksonville vs (2) East Tennessee State, atlanticsun.org, CSS Sports

3/5 Atlantic Sun Finals
6:00 pm - espn2

Gone Streaking in the Ohio Valley

Murray State: 3 game winning streak

Tennessee Tech: 5 game winning streak

Tennessee State: 3 game winning streak

Austin Peay: 2 game winning streak

Morehead State: measly 1 game in a row.

If you weren't on the above list and play in the Ohio Valley, you have lost your last game or more, and may not have even qualified for the conference tournament.

Kenneth Faried. Is. Good. Because of him Morehead State is a team to keep your eye on in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. Named OVC player of the year for the 2nd straight year wasn't enough -- he also collected his third consecutive OVC Defensive Player of the Year. His Eagles went through a highly successful but somewhat up and down 2011 season. It started shaky, a 2-3 start including a bad loss vs. UNC-Wilmington, a very competitive game with Florida, and a blowout loss to Ohio State. Then 4 straight wins including their first 2 OVC games, including a 10 point win over conference regular season champion Murray St, but then a bad loss against Northern Iowa turned into a pair of tough road OT OVC losses. But, from there they blew up, winning 16 of their last 19 games. A strong offensive rebounding team and field goal shooting team, they also mix in sticky hands on defense. So let's talk about K.Faried a little more --the 6'8 senior has posted eye-popping numbers his entire career -- this year? 17.6 pts, 14.3 rebounds (that is NOT a typo), 2 steals, 2 blocks - his issue is at the FT line where he is a Shaq'ian (or Rick Barnes' coached player'ian) 57%. This kid had 5 games of 20 rebounds or more (8 of 18 or more), and averaged 18 ppg in Morehead's wins. As if you needed more reason to tune into the OVC tourney -- Kenneth Faried is reasons 1-5 on his own. But once you are, stick around for Demonte Harper (OVC 1st team), another senior on this squad, a 6'4 guard averages 15.4 pts, 4.6 rebs, 3.3 assists and 40% 3pt shooting, as well as junior guard, Terrance Hill and his 10.3 pts and 1.4 steals.

Murray State was the conference's regular season champ, and they won it by being the conference's hottest team in 2011 including an 8 game winning streak between January 22 and February 16, and went 6-2 against the balance of the conferences top 5 seeds, avenging losses to Austin Peay and Morehead State in the last month. An effective offensive team - they rank highly Pomeroy's Effective FG% (thanks to premier 3pt shooting), offensive rebounding collectivity and their ability to get to the FT line. A balanced team, they are paced by the biblically named 6'0 sophomore guard Isaiah Canaan (OVC first team) (12 pts, 2.4 assists and 2 rebounds), B.J. Jenkins, the 6'0 senior guard (11.2 pts, 3.2 assists, 3.6 rebs and 1.6 steals), and Isacc Miles, 6'2 senior guard and Creighton transfer (10.7 pts, 3.8 assists and 2 rebounds).

Splitting with Morehead and Murray, Austin Peay finished 13-5 in conference and come in winning their last 4 conference games (playing J'Ville St, E.Illinois and SE Mo St in 3 of those 4 games doesn't hurt). The Governors put a top defensive unit on the hardwood, ranked in the top 100 (remember, this is the OVC we're talking about) in 3pt%, Block% and are top 25 in steals. This is a loaded team at the top, led by OVC 1st teamer junior TyShwan Edmonson (Buffet All-Name Nominee - pay special attention to the spelling of his name) and his 17.6 pts and 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game in his first season in Clarksville after transferring as far away from Norm Roberts as he could. Anthony Campbell, junior swingman chips in with 13.9 and 3.5 rebounds, Josh Terry, the 6'5 combo guard adds 10.8 pts and 4.1 rebs, and big man John Fraley, is averaging 9.9 points and 7.2 rebounds. The Buffet is very bullish on AP coming up in 2012 (not that they were an OVC disappointment 2011) given that they tout 4 Juniors at the top of their team leadership board.

Los Tigres de Tennessee State are just about the streakiest team you'll find in college hoops. 5 game losing streak, 5 game winning streak, 3 game losing streak, 4 game winning streak, 3 game losing streak, a quick win over 1st round OVC opponent Tenn-Martin, then a 3 game losing streak (yes that's losing 6 of 7), followed by a 3 game winning streak heading into the tournament ... so what to make of them? Give them some confidence, the momentum starts running downhill and suddenly they are tough. Flash them some vulnerability and suddenly the walls come caving in -- although, this is probably to be expected of a team who averages 0.94 years of experience on their roster. A good 3pt and FT shooting team, they commit a youthful amount of turnovers. Kenny Moore and Robert Convington (both 2nd team All-OVC), are their go-tos, Moore, a highly-coveted JuCo transfer in his first season in Nashville, averages 14.4 pts and 6.8 rebounds and Covington, a sophomore, averages 13.6 and 7.6 rebounds. Meanwhile the ball handlers will turnover issues are Patrick Miller who puts up 11.4, 3.2 rebounds and 3 assists but also a sub-30% 3pt shooting line and 2.6 turnovers per game and Will Peters and his 10.5 points, 4.2 assists, but 2.5 turnovers per game.

But the hottest OVC team of all? That distinction belongs to Tennessee Tech, the conference's 4th seed. Swept by the top 2 seeds this season, they repaid that favor to Austin Peay, and ride a strong offense into the tournament. The Golden Eagles are led by OVC 1st teamer Kevin Murphy, the junior forward averages 15.8 pts and 4.5 rebounds; sophomore forward Jud Dillard, putting up 10.9 pts, 5.2 rebounds and swiping 1.1 would-be passes per game, and Jr PG (and Georgia transfer) Zac Swansey, giving the team 9.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game (but a eye hurting 3.6 turnovers per)

Other OVC'ers to take note of:

Leon Powell, SE Missouri St., Jr F - 14.5 pts, 7.8 rebs, 1.5 blks

Nick Murphy, Jacksonville St. - Sr G/F - 15.5 pts, 6 rebounds, 2.5 assists

Spencer Perrin, E.Kentucky - Sr F - 13.4 pts, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists

Benzor Simmons, Tennessee-Martin - Sr. F - 12 pts, 4.9 rebounds

Marland Smith, SE Missouri St - Soph G - 12 pts, 3.7 rebounds

Justin Stommes, Eastern Kentucky - Sr G/F - 11.7 pts, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists

Jeremy Granger, E.Illinois - Jr G - 14.5 pts, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 asts

Who Will Win: We love Faried, but the Tennessee setting, and a bit overlooked as the #3 seed, Austin Peay is the Buffet's pick to click (everyone says that in Chicago, its kind of a thing)

3/2 Ohio Valley First Round - Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN :
7:00 pm - (8) Tennessee-Martin 68 (5) Tennessee State 64, ovcsports.com (PPV)
9:30 pm - (7) SE Missouri State 65 (6) Eastern Kentucky 49, ovcsports.com (PPV)

3/3 Ohio Valley Quarterfinals:
7:00 pm - (8) Tennessee-Martin vs (4) Tennessee Tech, ovcsports.com (PPV)
9:30 pm - (7) SE Missouri State vs (3) Austin Peay, ovcsports.com (PPV)

3/4 Ohio Valley Quarterfinals:
8:00 pm - (8) Tennessee-Martin/(4) Tennessee Tech winner vs. (1) Murray St., ESPNU

10:00 pm - (7) SE Missouri State/(3) Austin Peay winner vs. (2) Morehead St., ESPNU (Kenneth Faried will be on your TV)

3/5 Ohio Valley Championship:
8:00 pm - ESPN2