Southern Conference Update

[BYUfan1]

Davidson head coach Bob McKillop and Appalachian State head coach Houston Fancher have been named finalists for 2007 Hugh Durham Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award. The winner will be presented the award at the Final Four in Atlanta.

The other Finalists:

Brad Brownell (Wright State)
Dick Davey (Santa Clara)
Howie Dickenman (Central Connecticut State)
Anthony Grant (Virginia Commonwealth)
Orlando Early (Louisiana-Monroe)
Todd Lickliter (Butler)
Mike Lonergan (Vermont)
Chris Lowery (Southern Illinois)
Gregg Marshall (Winthrop)
Jimmy Patsos (Loyloa-Maryland)
Randy Rahe (Weber State)
Blaine Taylor (Old Dominion)
Cliff Warren (Jacksonville)

[Eric]

I think it'll go to, well, at least it should go, to Wright State's head coach. I love the Raiders this year. They are the best team in the Horizon League, in my opinion. Wright State is a team to watch out for a Sweet 16 appearence.

Speaking of mid-majors, doesn't it get annoying when people say, "are they this year's George Mason?" There won't be another George Mason for 50 years.

[BYUfan1]

You are not going to get me off the Butler bandwagon even though they lost last night. To be honest, out of the 215 teams I have seen on tv this year, Wright State is one I have not seen, though I have them on tape somewhere. Also, for those who don't know, you can go on the Horizon League's website and watch a bunch of conference games that are archived off your computer for free.

As far as the next George Mason is concerned, everyone wants to be the next one to predict the next big sleeper since a high number seed made it to the final four last season. For me, I will still not pick a sleeper to go past 16. George Mason proved it can happen but it is not happening every year.

[Eric]

Well, I guess there could be, but usually the Sweet 16 is where the dream ends. It's the Superbowl for the mid-major schools and anything after that is anticlimactic.

The first 2 rounds are always the most exciting, and from what I see, the next rounds are not as fun to see. The upsets are what make the tourney so exciting. I have to be honest, I didn't really even see UCLA/Florida last year.

Wright State, man, they're going to win the conference tournament. I guarantee it. I'm disappointed that they got to play Cal State Fullerton. Now, I think the Titans have a pretty good basketball program, but they aren't going to be in the tournament if they don't win the Big West. If Wright State had played a team from the MVC, Oral Roberts, or a top CAA team, they could've made a statement. But they got placed on ESPN360 against a 2nd place Big West team.