Previewing the Final Weekend -- Mid Majors

via HBCU Buzz

Last weekend.  We've got NINE bids up for grabs today, plus the Atlantic 10 Semifinals.  Everyone is playing for their tournament lives, this is what March Madness is all about.  Let's jump on in!

Let's do the finals... wrap up with Atlantic 10... sound good?

If you don't enjoy Missy, then you don't need to be here.

11 AM (ESPN2) -- American East Conference; Hartford, CT

Vermont Catamounts (22-11, 13-3) vs. Stony Brook Sea Wolves (22-8, 14-2)

Robby's pick:  Vermont.  These two teams have been battling for the AE lead all season long.  Vermont just has the experience to win with the pressure on.

11:30 AM (CBS) -- Conference USA; Memphis, TN

Marshall Thundering Herd (21-12, 9-7) vs. Memphis Tigers (25-8, 13-3)

Robby's pick:  Memphis.  Marshall HAS to be worn out.  Three games in a row, one going into triple OT?  Wow.  If they have the legs, they'll give Memphis a challenge.  I just don't see them doing it a third time.

1pm (ESPN 2) -- MEAC; Winston-Salem, NC

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (18-16, 11-5) vs. Norfolk State Spartans (24-9, 13-3)

Robby's pick:  Norfolk State.  The MEAC Tournament has been WILD.  I'm excited to see these two teams play out here, I just feel like the Spartans are the better team and have excelled at not allowing themselves to be upset yet.

3pm (ESPN 2) -- Southland; Katy, TX

McNeese State Cowboys (17-14, 10-6) vs. Lamar Cardinals (22-11, 11-5)

Robby's pick:  Lamar.  These two teams have made statement after statement in the Southland tournament, and the Cowboys upset the top team in UTA last round.

7pm (CCS) -- Mountain West; Las Vegas, NV

New Mexico Lobos (22-6, 10-4) vs. #21 San Diego State Aztecs (26-6, 10-4)

Robby's pick:  New Mexico.  The Lobos are playing as good as anyone right now and unlike SDSU, need this win to solidify their spot in the NCAA Tournament.

8pm (ESPN 2) -- MAC; Cleveland, OH

Ohio Bobcats (26-7, 11-5) vs. Akron Zips (22-10, 13-3)

Robby's pick:  Akron.  The Zips have been the best team in the MAC all season, and I don't see that changing here.  Ohio's played really well, especially in their upset of 2 seed Buffalo.

8pm (ESPN U) -- SWAC; Garland, TX

Texas Southern Tigers (15-17, 12-6) vs. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (20-12, 17-1)

Robby's pick:  MVSU.  They've only lost one conference game.  The SWAC Tournament has had plenty of upsets and wild finishes, just don't think Southern has the ability to run with MVSU.

10 pm (ESPN 2) -- Big West; Anaheim, CA

UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos (20-9, 12-4) vs. Long Beach State 49ers (24-8, 15-1)

Robby's pick:  Long Beach State.  They finish the drill and get in to the Tournament.  Watch out for this team, they WILL upset someone.  Only lost by 8 to KU in Lawrence.  That's impressive for anyone, let alone a mid major.

12 AM (EPSN 2) -- WAC; Las Vegas, NV

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (18-15, 6-8) vs. New Mexico State Aggies (25-9, 10-4)

Robby's pick:  NMSU.  Tech is playing out of their minds right now.  But watching the Aggie's thwart Hawaii's best efforts, I'm sold on them.

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ATLANTIC 10 Semifinals; Atlantic City, NJ

1pm -- Massachusetts Minutemen (22-10, 9-7) vs. St. Bonaventure Bonnies (18-11, 10-6)

3:30 pm -- Xavier Musketeers (20-11, 10-6) vs. St. Louis Billekins (25-6, 12-11)

Robby's picks:  UMass and SLU will play in the next round.  Very high on the Billekins.