Alabama A&M (ML) over Oakland
The run and gun style on offense and the high pressure defense of Bama A&M make them my play, the up-tempo pressing style that will test the depth of the Golden Grizzlies (play seven players and can't afford foul trouble due to its lack of depth). Granted Oakland is coming of a big win against Oral Roberts and has played solid basketball of late (won 5), but the bulldogs have also played very well in the last few games. Oakland has the advantage of playing tougher teams (ranked No. 1 by the Sagarin ratings) but they did not fair well against good teams, starting the season 3-10. However the emotional ride of pulling three straight upsets to win the conference might leave Oakland a little flat (3 pointer with 1 second, can be a ton of emotion). Bama A&M's Trotter (conference's player and defensive player of the year) will have to keep up his solid shooting to keep the Bulldogs in the game. Still the bulldogs will attempt to hold the Griz to poor shots. Second chance points for Oakland could kill A&M tonight, the dogs have to clear the glass and start the run. Plus the quick guards will look to steal and turn them into fast-break points (A&M NCAA best 3.9 steals per game).
GL
Irish
The run and gun style on offense and the high pressure defense of Bama A&M make them my play, the up-tempo pressing style that will test the depth of the Golden Grizzlies (play seven players and can't afford foul trouble due to its lack of depth). Granted Oakland is coming of a big win against Oral Roberts and has played solid basketball of late (won 5), but the bulldogs have also played very well in the last few games. Oakland has the advantage of playing tougher teams (ranked No. 1 by the Sagarin ratings) but they did not fair well against good teams, starting the season 3-10. However the emotional ride of pulling three straight upsets to win the conference might leave Oakland a little flat (3 pointer with 1 second, can be a ton of emotion). Bama A&M's Trotter (conference's player and defensive player of the year) will have to keep up his solid shooting to keep the Bulldogs in the game. Still the bulldogs will attempt to hold the Griz to poor shots. Second chance points for Oakland could kill A&M tonight, the dogs have to clear the glass and start the run. Plus the quick guards will look to steal and turn them into fast-break points (A&M NCAA best 3.9 steals per game).
GL
Irish
