The Morehead State Eagles and the Alabama State Hornets are set to meet this evening in the 2009 NCAA Tournament play-in game. The contest is scheduled to tip off at 7:30pm ET at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The winner will face the top seed in the Midwest Region as a NCAA Bracket Predictions underdog, the Louisville Cardinals, on Friday March 20th.
Morehead State vs Alabama State 2009 NCAA Bracket Predictions at Sportsbook.com have the Eagles, which hail from Morehead, Kentucky, listed as a -3.5 against the spread favorite.
Alabama State, winners of four in a row, earned their way into tonight's play-in tilt by winning the Southwest Athletic Conference Tournament final against Jackson State. The Hornets also finished first in the SWAC during the regular season with a 16-2 conference record. They enter this evening's battle with a 22-8 overall record and a 3-0 mark in neutral site games.
The Hornets, who are coached by Lewis Jackson, are led by guards Brandon Brooks and Andrew Hayles. The backcourt mates combined for 27.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game during the 2008-2009 season.
Morehead State, who opened the year with six consecutive losses, also found their way into the NCAA Tournament via a conference tournament championship. The Eagles finished fourth in the Ohio Valley standings at the conclusion of their regular season schedule with a 19-15 record and a 12-6 mark in conference play. They defeated Austin Peay 67-65 in overtime of the Ohio Valley Championship final to move their neutral site record to 4-2 on the year.
The Eagles, which average 70.6 per contest, are led by forward Leon Buchanan. The senior from Albany, Georgia averaged 15.1 points per game this year while snagging 6.3 rebounds per outing.
Sportsbook.com's Morehead State vs Alabama State 2009 NCAA Bracket Predictions:
Morehead State Eagles -3.5 (-110)
Alabama State Hornets +3.5 (-110)
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