5 Reasons Why Tulsa Golden Hurricane Will Make The 2015 NCAA Tournament

By Kelly Anderson

5 Reasons Why Tulsa Golden Hurricane Will Make The 2015 NCAA Tournament

Frank Haith Tulsa Golden Hurricane — It truly is amazing how a four-month season can be made or broken in one week’s worth of games. The Tulsa Golden Hurricane have overcome a rough start to the season to get hot and finish second in the AAC, but unless they finish strong in this week’s conference tournament, they could find themselves watching the NCAA tournament at home. With that said, here are five reasons why they will make the 2015 NCAA tournament.

5. Northern Iowa

Northern Iowa Basketball

5. Northern Iowa

Northern Iowa Basketball — The fact that Northern Iowa came back to beat Illinois State in the Missouri Valley Conference championship game kept the Redbirds from taking away an at-large bid from one of many bubble teams. Frank Haith and the Golden Hurricane should send the Panthers a care package as their season almost ended on Sunday afternoon.

4. No Love for the Mid-Majors

Dayton Flyers Basketball

4. No Love for the Mid-Majors

Dayton Flyers Basketball — Before all of the realignment took place, the committee actually fell in love with the mid-major conferences, so much so that they were taking away at-large bids from the power conferences. But the brief love affair is over as there has been a shift back to the major conferences getting all of the nods. So even if Tulsa doesn’t win the AAC tournament, it should get in over a team like Murray State.

3. The AAC Conference Tournament

Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball

3. The AAC Conference Tournament

Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball — The path to the NCAA tournament is laid out right before Tulsa. If it can get to the AAC championship game and have a good showing there, it should be set. Tulsa will get an easy opening quarterfinal game against Houston or Tulane, followed by the opportunity to get the quality win it so desperately needs against a Cincinnati team that has all but locked up its spot in the tourney.

2. A Loss is A Gain

James Woodard Tulsa Golden Hurricane

2. A Loss is A Gain

James Woodard Tulsa Golden Hurricane — Tulsa struggled a bit down the stretch, losing four of its last 10 games, but it came together as a team while putting up one of its best performances of the season in a tough loss to the SMU Mustangs. Going on the road and almost pulling off a huge win gives this team some confidence as it enters the AAC tournament needing a strong showing.

1. Television Exposure

Tulsa Golden Hurricane Basketball

1. Television Exposure

Tulsa Golden Hurricane Basketball — Sunday’s loss to SMU actually benefited Tulsa in that the game was nationally televised, and that it was one of only a handful of college games being played that day. This means the committee had the opportunity to put their focus squarely on the Golden Hurricane. The fact that James Woodard and Shaquille Harrison can light it up on any given night should help when it comes to the eye test.

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Tulsa Golden Hurricane

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