Appalachian State at Ohio

Ohio, U. won 25 games last year despite some injuries that probably cost them an NCAA Tournament bid. Former North Dakota State coach Saul Phillips is coming off a record season at North Dakota State and an NCAA Tournament upset win vs. Oklahoma, and is the new Ohio head coach. The Bobcats return an All-MAC player in Maurice Ndour, and get the services of Texas Tech transfer Javarez Willis - a great pure shooter. They are well stocked for another good season. Appalachian State returns four starters, but that might not be such a good thing as the Mountaineers finished at 9-21 last year. Despite the returnees, the Mountaineers are projected to finish close to the basement in the Sun Belt Conference, and certainly don't have the personnel to take down a competent Bobcats team. Play on Ohio, U. in this one.