Bucknell(31) at Northern Iowa(30)
Both of these teams look like they have their place in the tournament secure, but it is never too late to get one more quality win added to their resume. Bucknell hasn't slowed down since their shocking upset of Kansas in the first round of last year's tournament and is currently one of the last undefeated teams in conference play. Wins against Syracuse, DePaul, and St. Joseph's, have helped to increase their tournament resume. The Bison are the first team from their conference to be ranked and look to improve that number next to their name with a win against the Panthers. Northern Iowa is locked in a tough battle in the Missouri Valley. After being ranked themselves earlier this year, they have dropped 3 of 5 in the conference, including two tough ones in a row against Missouri State and Indiana State. The Panthers could use this game to stop the slide and lead them into their final two conference games before what should be a very interesting MVC tournament.
MRI Predicts: Northern Iowa Confidence factor: 59.88%
MRI Result: Win

Buffalo(112) at Iona(49)
Here is another game where one of the teams didn't fair as well lately as they should have. Buffalo has lost five of their last six, including three against the co-leaders of the MAC West, Akron and Kent State. As a result, Buffalo is no longer going to be jumping in as a second bid from the MAC, though the chances were slim in the first place. They will have their hands full yet again with Iona, the team that right now is leading the other MAC, the MAAC. The Gaels haven't run away with the conference this year like they have in years past and there is still a chance for some upsets out there in the conference tournament for them. Their leading scorer, Steve Burtt throws in 24.6 points per game, almost J.J. Redick-like numbers, and will be interesting to watch if you tune in on-line. Neither team is going to steal any bid away from the big boys come March, but Iona, should they make the tournament, could cause some fits.
MRI Predicts: Iona Confidence factor: 82.86%
MRI Result: Win

Butler(65) at Kent State(51)
If you want two teams with a lot to prove, here you go. Butler has slowly come back twice after bad starts this season. They began their run 2-3 and finished their non-conference run at 7-5. Then conference season began and suddenly, the Bulldogs were near the bottom of the conference after another 2-3 start. Things have changed though and Butler has climbed to within a half game of league leading Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Horizon league doesn't figure to get two bids, but that doesn't mean that Butler can't turn some heads and get people thinking with a good performance here. Kent State, meanwhile, is trapped in its own race atop its conference and right now, the MRI expects them to take home the MAC trophy. They are going to need it to make the NCAA tournament since, as we have talked about, the MAC is only going to get one. Kent State didn't fair very well outside of conference this season and could use a win against another quality team before March.
MRI Predicts: Kent State Confidence factor: 72.42%
MRI Result: Win

Missouri State(19) at Wisconsin-Milwaukee(39)
The MRI loves Missouri State. They had a Top 5 start in the MRI and have hung in or near the Top 25 ever since that. Playing in the Missouri Valley has also been good to them, facing them against high quality opponents night after night. While they aren't the tops in the conference, they are the current MRI leader and are slowly getting noticed by the rest of the world. Going into the game, a number of projections other than the MRI have the Bears on the outside looking in at this point, but just barely. As a result, a win against a team projected in the tournament from outside their conference could really help. The Bears are the MRI's surprise pick in March, so now it is just a matter of them getting there. Meanwhile, Wisconsin-Milwaukee needs this win for other reasons. They are still the leaders in the their conference, but they have fallen back to the pack lately after three losses in their last five. They have only one conference game remaining after their bracket buster game and a win could help them start a streak as they head into the conference tournament. The Panthers proved themselves well last March and will be looking to surprise again. Last year's version did its damage after finishing at 50 in the regular season MRI. If this year's mark is any indication, the surprise might be even bigger this year.
MRI Predicts: Missouri State Confidence factor: 51.76%
MRI Result: Win

Northern Arizona(132) at Western Kentucky(47)
Every time that Northern Arizona is brought up, I check the MRI. And the MRI still tells me that they lag behind conference foe Montana. So, do I smell an upset brewing in the conference tournament? Possibly. Montana had the more impressive non-conference wins, including one against Stanford, while Northern Arizona limped into conference season. And conference season has been a struggle itself. All the Lumberjack wins have been by ten or less points, so they haven't blow anyone out of the gym. That is one reason why their game today against the Hilltoppers might be even more difficult. Other than South Alabama, Western Kentucky has had no real competition in the Sun Belt so far this year. Sure, they had that one game like everyone where you just don't show up mentally, and that stopped them from being perfect in the conference so far. Otherwise, the Hilltoppers are rolling so fast, they could roll their bus right into a first round tournament location. Western Kentucky is strong on the boards but will need to hold on to the ball a little better than they have. A win here could improve the Western Kentucky seeding should they hold true to form and make the NCAA tournament.
MRI Predicts: Western Kentucky Confidence factor: 86.02%
MRI Result: Win

Marist(94) at Old Dominion(67)
Marist has slowly been pulling themselves back into the conference race in the MAAC after a painful start with losses against both the teams ahead of them in the standings. They have gotten their revenge, winning both the rematches and now sit in third as the conference tournament looms. While they are not going to do any bracket busting by stealing a big, the Red Foxes can continue their roll into the conference tournament with a win against a strong team from one of the top mid-major conferences. Look for junior Jared Jordan to make a lot of plays on the floor. He leads the team with an average of two steals and 8.6 assists per game. He also leads the team in scoring. If Marist makes the tournament, he will certainly be a star. Old Dominion was projected to be leading the Colonial conference and leading the charge for two bids from that league. Things haven't gone quite so well for the Monarchs and they have struggled into 4th in a very tough league. Their only shot at the tournament is to run through the Colonial tournament and that will not be easy with the way that George Mason and UNC-Wilmington are playing. The Monarchs need this win to keep focused and their size advantage should give them the advantage they need.
MRI Predicts: Old Dominion Confidence factor: 73.64%
MRI Result: Win