Conference USA

This tournament has a real feel of a shake up, but at the end of the day I can't see anyone else but North Texas vs UAB. I would have to say UAB 100% has the easier path. Their quarterfinal game should be a walk through and their semifinal game will likely be against UTEP/MTSU and although it'll be a good game UAB should pass the test and get to the championship. UNT's side of the bracket can be really tricky because of teams like Western Kentucky, La Tech, and whoever wins Charlotte/Rice. I do believe UNT is really good otherwise this would be a landmine on top of a landmine. UNT's defense is just so good and with guys like Thomas Bell and Tylor Perry I expect them to get to the championship. There's a few dark horse candidates I considered for this tournament, but UTEP at 35/1 seems really good to me. With a guy like Souley Boum who can fill it up any given game they have a high ceiling. MTSU obviously put together a masterful regular season, but this postseason I think they get sent home game one. Due to the high upside UTEP possesses I believe 35/1 is too good to pass up. Can they beat UAB? At 35/1 I'd like to have that ticket in that spot, but I do see UAB being too good. My bust is WKU at +950. I'm not so sure they can get past La Tech and if they do I don't see them scaring UNT. At the end of the day I see UAB dancing, but don't see value at +170. 

Round By Round Predictions

7E Marshall over 6E FIU

6W UTSA over 7W Southern Miss 

4E Charlotte over 5W Rice

3W La Tech over 7E Marshall

4W UTEP over 5E ODU

3E FAU over 6W UTSA 

1W UNT over 4E Charlotte

3W La Tech over 2E WKU

4W UTEP over lE MTSU

2W UAB over 3E FAU 

1W UNT over 3W La tech

2W over 4W UTEP 

2W UAB over 1W UNT 



Predicted Winner - UAB +170 Dark Horse - UTEP +3500 Bust - WKU +950