Charleston Classic Prediction

Its Tournament Time!

I have been looking to this since the 2018-19 season tipped. And with this will come a new format that I will try to implement with all tournaments. What gonna happen is that all the dirty work will be done behind the scenes (like comparing the teams, looking at the stats, etc.). Then I will give my prediction and move on to the next team, so without further to do, lets dive into this.

Quarterfinals 

Ball State v #16 Virginia Tech

Ball State put up a fight against Purdue on Saturday but couldn't put it away. They are averaging 80 PPG with 52% in the paint and 42% behind the arch.And their defense is decent allowing 76 PPG but only allowing 30% shooting from 3 and 47% in the paint.Some of their flaws is turnovers as they commit 13 on average. another issue is rebounds as they are loosing the battle on the offensive end.

Virginia tech is averaging 86 PPG with 57% shooting in the paint and 40% from the arch. On the defensive side they are stuffing offenses to just 59 PPG and holding teams to just 27% from the arch. The only glaring flaw I see on this team is penalties which is not good when Ball St. is averaging 74% from the line.

Ball State will play tough against the Hokies but they will fall short. Virginia Tech


Alabama v Northeastern 

The Tide is averaging 82 PPG with 58% shooting in the paint but 38% from the arch. On defense they are holding teams to 62 PPG with 47% shooting in the paint and just 17% from the arch.
The only blemish I see is turnovers as they are averaging 20/gm.

Northeastern is averaging 77 PPG to go with 56% shooting in the Paint and 40% from behind the arch. On defense they are allowing 74 PPG with 58% shooting in the paint and 44% shooting behind the arch. Some of the flaws I see with this team is rebounds as they are getting things done on the defensive end as they average 23 DRB/gm but can get those rebound on the offensive glass (6 ORB/gm). They are also allowing too many teams take open looks from the arch.

KenPom says Alabama will sneak by with a victory, but I say it won't be close. Alabama


#23 Purdue v Appalachian St.

Purdue is averaging 87 PPG with excellent shooting in the paint with 62%, but have struggled with making the three's especially against Ball State so our shooting is down in the dumps with 32%. We are also averaging 40 RPG. On defense we are allowing 66 PPG and we hold teams to a consistent 42% shooting across the court.

Appalachian State is averaging 99 PPG with 59% shooting in the paint and 53% behind the arch. Also averaging 39 RPG. Defense is not that bad as they are allowing 71 PPG with 41% shooting in the paint, and 33% shooting behind the arch. One thing to point out is that Appalachian State commits a lot of fouls as they are averaging 24 FPG, this can be a bad thing as Purdue does very well at the stripe making 74% of their shots.

Appalachian State will give Purdue fits, but if Purdue gets going early and shut this mountaineer offense down, it will be a long night. Purdue


Wichita St. v Davidson

Wichita is averaging 70 PPG while going 46% in the paint and 40% from behind the arch. They are also committing on average 23 FPG. On defense it doesn't look good as they are allowing teams to score 75 PPG on average. they are holding teams to 53% in the paint and 33% behind the arch and they also can't rebound to save their life.

Davidson on the other hand is averaging 81 PPG to go with 53% shooting in the paint and a mediocre 31% behind the arch. While their offense seems basic at best, where its at, is the defense. as they are holding teams to 70 PPG with 46% shooting in the paint and 47% behind the arch. But they are holding teams to just 3.5 ORB/gm while getting the opposing team to commit more turnovers.

This game is one of the more balanced games in this tournament and its going to be interesting how this games shakes out. While Wichita ST is the favorite, I'm going with the upset and pick Davidson. Davidson 


Semifinals 

#16 Virginia Tech v Alabama 

This will be another fun one as I will see that Alabama will keep it close but that Hokies defense will stuff the tide. Virginia Tech 

#23 Purdue v Davidson 

Purdue is just too powerful for Davidson as they will have no one size wise that will compete against Haarms and if Carson Edwards can put up some good number and Cline has a day with the three's, poor Davidson... Purdue 

Alabama v Davidson

This is more or less a consolation game that I see the Tide Rolling to an easy victory. Alabama 


Championship 

#16 Virginia Tech v #23 Purdue 

This is a match up that most people are expecting to happen (although, I've seen crazier). Hold on everybody because this will be a tight one and Virginia Tech will be the winner of the Charelston Classic. Winner: Virginia Tech


Loser side of the Bracket
Because for every winner there is a looser

Ball St. v Northeastern

These two teams are fairly balanced, so it will be interesting who will pull away. but with the way Ball St. can play with better teams, I'm gonna go with Ball St.  Ball St.

Appalachian St. v Wichita St.

Wichita St. has not been the same since their lost to Marshall.. Appalachian St.


5th place game 
  
Ball St. v Appalachian St. 

Ball State might have enough to win this as since the mountaineers commit a lot of fouls and Ball St. makes 74% of their shots. Ball St.