2017 Championship Week Primer: Big West

Typically, the Big West churns out lower seeded teams for the NCAA Tournament that will not win a game in the NCAA Tournament. Last year was an exception to that rule though, when Hawaii defeated #4 California in the Round of 64 to get the first Big West tournament win in the Round of 64 since 2004. This year's chances, however, don't look nearly as promising. 

 

UC Irvine won the conference this year by a game over UC Davis. For most of the season, the Anteaters were projected as a 16 seed, but as other conference tournaments went to underseeded teams, UC Irvine has inched up to the 15 line. It doesn't change their overall quality, its just an indication that they are viewed in a better light than upset minded teams like South Dakota State 

 

The top eight teams in the conference will participate in the tournament. It will be held from March 9th to 11th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The teams that make it to the semifinals will be reseeded so that the highest remaining seed plays the lowest remaining seed. 

 

Quarterfinals-Thursday, March 9th 

#8 UC Riverside vs. #1 UC Irvine

#5 Hawaii vs. #4 Long Beach State 

#7 Cal Poly vs. #2 UC Davis

#6 Cal State Northridge vs. #3 Cal State Fullerton

 

Semifinals-Friday, March 10th 

#4 Long Beach State vs. #1 UC Irvine

#3 Cal State Fullerton vs. #2 UC Davis

 

Championship-Saturday, March 11th 

In two meetings this year, the two teams beat each other on their own home court, with Fullerton winning a close one and Irvine blowing out the Titans by 20. I think that this one will be closer, but that the Anteaters will still be able to go the NCAA Tournament for the 2nd time in 3 years. 

 

Cal State Fullerton 70, UC Irvine 78