CSBDI

CSBDI (CapSarasBaldDomeIndex), March 9, 2015, Edition III

Follow us on Twitter: @CSBDI1Hoops
Welcome to the CSBDI for the 2014-2015 College Basketball Season. We
here at the Mother Ship of the CSBDI, which is filled with only the finest
flowing beverages, break down the college basketball scene as we move
towards March and its madness. The breakdown that we construct, and the
analysis that we conduct, is the best in the business on this side of town.
Therefore, sit back, relax, and enjoy the CSBDI!
Before we start, a little about our authors:

Chris Capozzoli, 63 Power Forward, from Chicago, Illinois. Capozzoli is

a presence in the paint, and has the uncanny ability to finish around
the basket. His long arms provide for a defensive presence that alter
the play of opposing teams.
Jay Saras, 60 Shooting Guard, from the Bronx, New York. Saras has
the ability to create off the bounce, and is deadly from long range. He
consistently scores night in and night out.

CSBDI Edition IV, Conference Tournament

Predictions
These conference tournament predictions are straight from the Mother
Ship of the CSBDI.
After much debate and deliberation over a few
beverages, we have decided on the following (However, make sure to read
the ENTIRE publication as we have some guest prognosticators in this issue):
AAC: SMU is the tournament favorite, but the CSDBI is going with the team
that is hot right now. Champ: Cincinnati Bearcats.
ACC: If Justin Anderson of Virginia was playing in the tournament, the
prediction may be different, but, in tribute to DICKIE V Champ: Duke Blue
Devils.
America East: Champ: Albany Great Danes.
Atlantic 10: This tournament usually offers up a surprise, and this year look
for a bid stealer to win this wide open tournament. Champ: Davidson
Wildcats.
Big East: Villanova is playing for a number one seed in the Big Dance.
Champ: Villanova Wildcats.
Big Sky: Champ: Eastern Washington Eagles
Big 10: Wisconsin is hoping to make a run here in the Big Ten tournament,
and get some help to clinch a one seed in the Big Dance. Champ: Wisconsin
Badgers.
Big 12: Will Perry Ellis injury hurt the Kansas Jayhawks chances? This
tournament will be the most entertaining and unpredictable of all the big
conferences. Champ: Oklahoma Sooners.
Big Sky: Champ: UCSB Gauchos.
Colonial: Champ: William and Mary Tribe.
Conference USA: Champ: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
Horizon: Champ: Wisconsin Green-Bay Phoenix.

Ivy: Thanks to Yales blunder over the weekend, Harvard gets a second
chance to make a first impression. Champ: Harvard Crimson.
MAAC: A team that can cause problems in the Big Dance. Champ: Iona
Gaels.
MAC: Champ: Central Michigan Chippewas.
MEAC: Champ: N.C. Central Eagles.
Mountain West: This tournament is wide open. Champ: San Diego State
Aztecs.
Northeast: A little hometown bias for this tournament.
Morris Colonels.

Champ: Robert

Pac-12: With Utah fizzling as of late, Arizona is the clear cut favorite to win
this tournament. Champ: Arizona Wildcats.
Patriot: Champ: Lafayette Leopards.
SEC: If Kentucky loses, this is the time to do it. Champ: Kentucky Wildcats.
Southland: Another low seed that will make some noise in the Big Dance.
Champ: Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.
Southern: Will Furmans Cinderella run come to an end? Not during this
tournament. Champ: Wofford Terriers.
Summit: Champ: South Dakota State Jackrabbits.
Sun Belt: Champ: Georgia State Panthers.
SWAC: The winner likely plays in Dayton in Round One of the Big Dance.
Champ: Alabama State Hornets.
WAC: Champ: New Mexico State Aggies.
West Coast: The Zags need a championship win to ensure a high seed in
the Big Dance. Champ: Gonzaga Bulldogs.

CSBDI Bracketology (Conference

Tournament)
East Region

West Region

Wisconsin
Virginia
Wichita State
Iowa State

Villanova
Arizona
Notre Dame
Baylor

South Region

Midwest

Duke
Gonzaga
Northern Iowa
Oklahoma

Kentucky
Kansas
Maryland
Louisville

Last Four In

Last Four Out

Davidson
Indiana
Purdue
Texas

BYU
Miami (FL)
Tulsa
UCLA

This week in the CSBDI we have two guest columnists. These two guest
columnists are avid readers of the CSBDI, and wanted to contribute as we
head into the best time of the year. So, without further ado:

CSBDI Handicapping Section

** It really is the best time of the year- March Madness! Here are some of
the conference prognostications by guest capper Rich Fochtman. It is truly
an honor to write for this high class publication. Here are my predictions for
some of the upcoming conference tournaments.
ACC: Duke is playing some of the best basketball in the country. I question
their depth and ability to shoot well because of that depth over the course of
multiple games in a row. Defense wins championships so the nod goes to
the Virginia Cavaliers. Louisville and NC State are the sleepers that could
make deep runs and dethrone the Cavaliers.

America East Conference: The Albany Great Danes will prove to be the
Big Dogs of this conference again this year.
American: SMU is the favorite according to most. I, however, disagree. The
tournament is being played in Hartford, CT. The Huskies are poised to make
a deep run in this tournament and win it in my opinion, giving them a chance
to defend their National Title. I will even go so far as saying that guard Ryan
Boatwright will be the MVP of the American Tournament. If they do win the
tournament, they will not be an easy out in the Big Dance either.
Atlantic 10: It is tough to go against Shaka Smarts VCU teams this time of
year. As long as they can avoid playing Richmond, they are the front runner.
Archie Millers Dayton team is also a dangerous team in this tourney. The
dark horse to watch out for may be Davidson as well.
Atlantic Sun: It will be a Florida Civil War between North Florida and Florida
Gulf Coast. North Florida blew FGC out twice. It is tough to beat anybody
three times though. Florida Gulf Coast pulls the upset and wins this
tournament and goes to the Final Four again! Not so fast my friends as Lee
Corso would say. North Florida wins this tournament.
Big East: Villanova has separated themselves from the rest of the pack in
my eyes. I do believe that Georgetown, Providence, and St. Johns are
athletic enough to pull the upsets though. Never count out the Butler
Bulldogs either this time of year.
Big 10: Wisconsin is the real deal. Ohio State could make a run, but the real
threats to Wisconsin are Michigan State and Maryland. Both teams can beat
Wisconsin if they control the tempo. The Badgers have no answer for the
Maryland backcourt of Dez Wells and Melo Trimble. I am going with the Terps
to surprise everyone and win their first Big 10 Tournament.
Big 12: Kansas is the safe pick, but again, I am going with what I feel are
three more athletic teams. Baylor, Iowa State, and West Virginia are all good
enough to win this conference. Iowa States and West Virginias pressure add
a whole new dimension to their teams. West Virginias injuries prevent them
from making as much noise in this tournament. My pick here, though, is
Baylor. The Bears look like one of the most balanced teams in the country.
Their combination of size, quickness, and ability to score from every position
make them Final Four good in my opinion.
Big West: UC Irvine and UC Davis battle it out to see who represents the
UCs. I like the UC Irvine nickname (Anteaters), but nicknames dont win
championships. I take UC Davis.

Big Sky: Nobody sees these teams. I have to go with Eastern Washington.
They are one of the best shooting teams in the whole country, which always
gives you a chance to win.
Big South: High Point. Junior forward John Brown is one of best unknown
dunkers in the entire country. I have to pull for them to see if he can
posterize somebody in the Big Dance.
Conference USA: Louisiana Tech emerges as the champion with some
resistance coming from Old Dominion and UTEP.
Horizon: Valparaiso. There may be more Crusader magic in this tournament
and beyond.
Ivy: There is no conference tournament. Harvard beats Yale though and gets
to the Big Dance. Guard Wesley Saunders is one of the best in the nation
and boasts a tremendous SAT score too.
MAAC: Iona is the dangerous front runner here. 69 Forward David Laury is
a potential NBA caliber player, leading the Gaels in nearly every offensive
category. Iona has been one of the top ten scoring teams in the country all
year. Manhattan, Rider, and Monmouth have all played the Gaels tough and
could sneak out of the MAAC.
MAC: This is really anybodys tournament. I like Kent States athleticism.
The next contender is probably Central Michigan.
MEAC: NC Central finishes its perfect conference season with a tournament
championship. They could be a dangerous draw for a top seeded team in the
NCAA Tournament as well.
Missouri Valley: This is one of the most intriguing tournaments out there.
Wichita State has no answer for 68 senior forward Seth Tuttle, who is
quietly one of the best players in the country. The Shockers win a close one
though with Northern Iowa. Both teams could make deep runs in the NCAA
Tournament. Illinois State and Evansville could be the only potential spoilers
to the rematch.
Mountain West: Boise State is the hottest team in the conference, but
Steve Fisher finds a way to get his San Diego State Aztecs past them.
Guard/Forward Jacob Polens is healthy and the Aztecs are a dangerous team
now.
NEC: The winner of the Bryant/Robert Morris game shocks the world and
wins the conference tournament.

Ohio Valley: Belmont, Murray State, and Eastern Kentucky are all impressive
teams with big wins. Eastern Kentucky looked like they were for real in a 30
point blowout win at Miami earlier in the year. Murray State and Eastern
Kentucky battle it out with Murray State Racing to the crown.
PAC 12: Arizona is the favorite here. They are the Kentucky of the west with
their depth and athleticism. Utah and UCLA could be the biggest challenges
for the Wildcats.
Patriot: Bucknell emerges again to the NCAA Tournament.
SEC: Kentucky of course is my favorite. LSU, Georgia, and Arkansas are
athletic teams that pose the most significant threat to Kentucky. I really like
the way LSU matches up against the Wildcats inside. Dont forget about Billy
Donovans Florida Gators either. There is a ton of underachieving talent on
that bench that could awaken in this tournament.
Southern: Wofford
Southland: Steven F. Austin and Sam Houston State will battle it out for the
championship in a flip a coin type of game.
Summit League: South Dakota State wins it in a battle of the Dakotas with
North Dakota State. The Jackrabbits, led by senior guard/forward Cody
Larsen are poised to take another shot at upsetting someone in the Big
Dance after winning this tournament.
Sun Belt: Georgia Southern and Georgia State are the teams to beat.
SWAC: Texas Southern
WAC: New Mexico State will stay one of the hottest teams in the country.
They hung right with Colorado State and Wichita State on the road for a
majority of the game. They are far and away the best team in the WAC.
WCC: The narrow edge goes to Gonzaga here. I am not sold on their ability
to defend or score consistently. St. Marys and BYU are not intimidated by
the Zags and could upset them. I like BYU to give them the biggest
challenge.

CSBDI March Madness/Championship Style

Preview
While media and fans may clamor for things to change, one aspect of college
basketball remains constant: The coaches are the only ones to be (legally)
paid. As a result, there are high expectations for the way they present
themselves. And as with their teams on the court, a handful of these men
perform exceptionally well while many others fall into mediocrity, or worse (I
see you there, Coach Huggins).
The fine gentlemen who run the CSBDI claim to know much about college
hoops, which can be fairly debated by its readers. What is indisputable,
however, is their lack of expertise in areas of style and fashion. Therefore,
the CSBDI editors have welcomed this writer to contribute a Championship
Week Style Preview to get fans primed and pumped for the exhilarating
action on the court and fine fashion on its sidelines.
SEWING THE TOP SEEDS
(Coaches who set the standard for style)
Jay Wright -- Villanova
This one may be obvious, but hey, so is Kentuckys No.1 spot, right? Some
performers just stand a cut above the rest. Wright has everything going for
him: Hes incredibly handsome, his suits are impeccably tailored, and he
goes all out with his three-piece and pocket square ensembles.
Jamie Dixon Pittsburgh
As with the recent past, Dixons style is likely to outlast his teams
performance once again this March. This coach never makes an early exit
from his tailors shop, however, as his suits are consistently cut to
masterfully complement his athletic frame. Along with his slick hair and
effective use of a light brown belt/shoe pairing, Dixon deserves his spot near
the top.
Bill Self Kansas
The epitome of straight-forward class, Selfs style reflects many of his teams:
initially overlooked until the end when you realize just how outstanding they
are. Self effectively utilizes simple color and pattern combinations to pull off
and exceptional package.
John Calipari Kentucky
Caliparis recruiting prowess has set his squads apart from the rest the past
few years, and he brings just enough of a designer flair to distinguish him
from his fashion rivals, as well. His slickness and penchant for pinstripes

convey a subtle nod to Sinatra or Dean Martin, unlike his counterpart from
that other school in the state, who ends up looking more like a parody of the
Godfather or even Colonel Sanders.
Tony Bennett Virginia
A chicken-or-the-egg dilemma: Is Bennett so good looking that he appears
better dressed? Or is he so stylish that it makes him appear even more
handsome? Its an impossible question to answer, especially since its so
tough to concentrate while looking him in the first place.
BURSTING AT THE SEAMS
(Coaches with a more relaxed approach who make it work)
Fred Hoiberg Iowa State
A deadly marksman in his day, Hoibergs tie-less approach never looks off
the mark; in fact, it appears he could step right off the sidelines and into a
corner jump shot without taking his jacket off.
Rick Byrd Belmont
Having already clinched a spot in the dance after knocking off favored
Murray State, one might tell Byrd he could relax. But the coach who adorns
sideline sweater vests never seems stressed in the first place. Byrds vests
are an effective complement to his grandfatherly, mature leadership.
John Beilein Michigan
His team will need an upset to make the tourney, and it may seem like a
surprise to find Beilein on this list, as well. But this is a special recognition of
a coach not pretending to be something hes not. Beilein isnt dressed as a
Wall Street broker or corporate CEO but more like a high school coach and
teacher with his jacket-less, rolled-up sleeves approach. Professionally
appropriate. (Honorable mention to Temples Fran Dunphy in this category.)
YOUVE GONE THAT FAR, SO PUT ON THE DAMN JACKET
(Coaches who are dressed to the tilt but refuse the sport coat)
Billy Donovan Florida; Anthony Grant Alabama
It would figure two coaches from the same tree would share a similar
approach, but these two are the anti-Beilein. Their slim-fit shirt-and-tie
approach without the jacket are a desperate appeal for attention. We get it;
youre in shape. Now put your jacket on.
NOUVEAU NOVELTY
(Coaches who occasionally throw back to a prior era, and it works)

Roy Williams UNC; John Groce Illinois

Williams has been known to wear a jacket one might find at a Thrift shop just
as easily as a designer store, but whether plaid or pale blue he pulls it off
well perhaps it is his age, which makes fans just smile amusingly at
Grandpa Roy. Meanwhile, Groce will adorn the orange blazer that is for
big Illini games. Tastefully done.
Yours in style,
J-Waz
Now let me be myself, and flicker forth, / now let me be myself, in the
being, one of the gods.
-- D.H. Lawrence