Embracing the Break

One of the most tried-and-true ways to get easy points is via transition. This year, a few teams that normally grind it out have cranked up the pace (spoiler: they all have smart coaches!). How have Miami (FL), Texas Tech, and Rhode Island used the open court to get more easy buckets?

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PK80 Takeaways - Team by Team

We spent over 30 hours watching basketball in Portland this holiday weekend, so of course we had some opinions on the games. I dug into the details to give a point or two about each PK80 participant. 

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MEAC Preview 2017-18

Juan Dixon is here! Ok, fine, he's just coaching a low-tier team, unless Coppin State shocks me (and the world!). The fight at the top should be between Hampton, Morgan State, and Norfolk State, with a few dark horses mixed in. Can anyone else break into the ranks of the contenders?

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Atlantic Sun Preview 2017-18

Florida Gulf Coast is the heavy favorite in the Atlantic Sun, but Lipscomb is a real contender and North Florida is sneaky dark horse. Still, though, Dunk City is the biggest threat to win games in the NCAA Tournament, so high seeds beware - they might be even better than the 2013 Sweet 16 darling. 

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Big Sky Preview 2017-18

In a conference with plenty of skilled guards and upwards of 3-4 legitimate contenders, the margins are extremely thin. Who will be able to separate themselves from the pack and fly highest in the Big Sky?

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Ohio Valley Preview 2017-18

In a league with a clear top tier, who will be able to create some separation between Belmont, Murray State, and Jacksonville State? Murray boasts star guard Jonathan Stark, but never count out Rick Byrd and the Bruins...

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WAC Preview 2017-18

With a recent influx of high-level coaches, the WAC is getting more and more competitive, particularly at the top. But will Thunder Dan and Grand Canyon pull a Northern Kentucky and earn the conference's NCAA tournament bid in the program's first year of postseason eligibility?

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Summit Preview 2017-18

Apart from poor Omaha and Western Illinois, every team in the Sun Belt returns significant talent from last season - none better than South Dakota State's Mike Daum. Can Daum lead the Jackrabbits back to a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance? 

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Sun Belt Preview 2017-18

Four teams with dynamic duos should top the standings this year, but don't count out Ron Hunter and Georgia State either. The Sun Belt race should come down to the wire this year...

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MAC Preview 2017-18

The MAC enters 2017-18 sans a lot of last year's talent, but there are still some dangerous squads lurking here. Western Michigan, Ball State, and Buffalo seem to be the frontrunners, but in an unpredictable league, anything can happen. 

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Mountain West Preview 2017-18

After peaking in 2012-13 with 5 of the conference's 9 teams making the Big Dance, only 1 of 11 squads have qualified for the Tournament in each of the past two years. I'm not sure that will change this year, despite the presence of several high-potential squads...

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SEC Preview 2017-18

After years of being the ugly stepchild of power conference hoops, the SEC brings in a glut of new talent this season and looks to be back on par with the ACC/Big Ten/etc. But how many NCAA bids will that lead to? And can anyone unseat the Kentucky Kid Crew?

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#1 Duke Preview 2017-18

With arch-villain Grayson Allen back and another elite crop of freshmen coming to Durham, Coach K once again has the Blue Devils squarely in the national spotlight. Will the pieces fit together more smoothly than last year's stacked squad?

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