Creighton - Why? Nate Funk and Anthony Tolliver

Winthrop - Why? 4 returning starters (Side note: Here I agree. Winthrop was this close last year to what would have been a huge upset of Tennessee in the first round of the tournament. My computer had them as one of the top Mid-Major programs in the nation, and they were under everyone's radar. Winthrop is for real, no matter what league they play in.)

Loyola-Chicago - Why? 5 Starters return from a team that won 19 games last year. (Side Note: The Horizon league better watch out. I was honestly hoping Loyola would get to the tournament last year. They should make it easily this time around, maybe even an at large bid?)

Drexel - Why? 4 returning starters, most importantly, Dominic Mejia

As much as I love seeing Drexel mentioned, I am not sure what I think about this. I think Drexel has what it takes to compete and win this season in the CAA, but I am not too sure if they have what it takes to win more than a single game in the NCAA tournament should they get that far. And I think Hofstra is the more talented team in the league. So to pick Drexel without picking Hofstra strikes me as a bit strange.

Tom Brennan, who knows a little bit about being a Cinderella in the tournament when he was the head coach of Vermont (and he can thank Taylor Coppenrath for that), agrees with me, selecting The Pride to make a little run. Doug Gottlieb went with Dykes's first pick, Creighton, specifically because of Nate Funk.

My four picks? Hofstra, as I mentioned is my first pick, if only because of their great returns in the backcourt. Only Virginia's starting backcourt returns more points per game. The Pride are my pick to take the Colonial, taking out George Mason and Drexel along the way. Second, Winthrop based on their returns and their experience last season in the tournament against Tennessee. Third, Wichita State. The Shockers were the Midmajor overlook last season since they ran into the George Mason buzz saw. Look for Wichita State to rebound and surprise. Last, the Dragons, despite what I said before (Hey, I picked Hofstra first). I have to go with my home team and Dominic Mejia. Look for Bashir Mason to get some pub near the end of the season and this team to overcome last year's defeats in the final five minutes to get to 20 wins.

Ben Miraski writes for MRISports.com and is a featured blogger on FanIQ. Readers can contact Ben at bmiraski@mrisports.com