Western Michigan (+2) vs Akron - 4:00pm Pacific - Game #565-566
The Broncos are as cohesive as a group as you will find. They returned their top 8 players from last season and not one has missed a single game this year. After a disappointing 7-8 start to the season, WMU really put an emphasis on playing better defense. They have won 13 of 16 games since and ended up leading the MAC in FG% defense with an improvement of 4 full percentage points from last year. They held conference opponents to just .365 shooting and also led the MAC in rebounding margin. WMU jumped out to a double digit first half lead and coasted to a 20 point win over Akron in only meeting this season. The Broncos enjoyed a +17 rebound margin in the game. Akron ended the regular season losing 6 of their last 13 games and struggled a bit when leading scorer and rebounder Jeremiah Wood missed four games with a knee injury. Wood has returned to play in last five games but he often still misses practice between games and there is some concern how his knee will respond to back to back games. Wood is Akron's only legitimate inside presence and has a difficult defense assignment vs WMU widebody center Rietz. The Zips finished just 10th of 12 teams in FG% defense in the MAC as it is this season. WMU looked very determined in their first round win and are primed for a mild upset here. Take the points.

Play: Western Michigan +2  0.5 UNIT  |  LOSS 62-73
Cal St Northridge (+4) vs Cal St Fullerton - 8:00pm Pacific - Game #575-576
CSUN head coach Braswell calls this his best Matador team ever and that includes a former NCAA tournament participant. This team continues to be undervalued by oddsmakers. They tied for first place in the league despite top senior forward Chitwood being hindered by an ankle sprain over the last several weeks. CSUN went 9-1 in conference games that Chitwood played 20 or more minutes. He only played 14 in loss to Fullerton in first meeting due to foul trouble and only played 16 in win at Fullerton in his first game back from ankle injury. Fullerton relies heavily on 3-point shooting (1st in Big West at 8.5 made per game) but CSUN has by far the best 3-point defense in the league, holding conference opponents to just .276 shooting. It is no surprise that Fullerton went a combined 7-46 (.152) from behind the arc in the two previous meetings. Fullerton lost starting PG Russell (dismissed) 10 games ago and key F Cutley (foot) and key G Crenshaw (back) have been playing dinged up for the past few weeks which is a concern for them in this back to back game situation. CSUN is well rested and prepared after having a BYE into this round. The Matadors are capable of an outright win here and the line is too high. Take the points.

Play: CS Northridge +4  0.5 UNIT  |  LOSS 68-83


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