Emerald Coast Classic 2014: Teams, Schedule, Live Stream, Bracket, TV Info

The true test of a program is not necessarily how well it plays in a short period but whether it can stay on top after losing key players.

Each of the teams in the Emerald Coast Classic came into the year in "rebuilding mode." That's what most believed, at least; however, a few of the squads have bounced back quickly and are now looking to be contenders in their conference.

This could create an exciting atmosphere in a tournament in which everyone wants to get a leg up early in the nonconference season.

Here is a guide for what to expect from The Arena at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Florida.

Note: Entire tournament will be streamed online, courtesy of Emerald Coast Television. Championship game will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Full bracket can be seen at RealGM.com.

Consolation Bracket

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)
Nov. 28	Eastern Illinois vs. North Carolina Central	12 p.m.
Nov. 28	Southern vs. Northern Arizona	2:30 p.m.
Nov. 29	Losers of Opening Games	12 p.m.
Nov. 29	Winners of Opening Games	2:30 p.m.

It is important to look past records with these teams because every one of them is either 1-3 or 1-4 to start the year. The good news is things will get much easier when they start facing opponents more at their level.

North Carolina Central knows this well after finishing with a 28-6 record last season that included a trip to the NCAA tournament. With plenty of returning talent, the Eagles have a chance to get back there this year.

While LeVelle Moton's team has three losses already, most teams would suffer the same fate in road games against North Carolina, Creighton and Cincinnati. The last of which was only a 59-50 loss in which Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin said after the game, per Bill Koch of The Cincinnati Enquirer: "All in all. I think it might have been our best effort (of the season) tonight."

This shows the amount of respect the coach has for what the Eagles can do.

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The squad will slow the pace down as much as possible and use every second on the shot clock before using the balanced attack between Anthony McDonald, Karamo Jawara and Jordan Parks.

North Arizona senior Quinton Upshur has the ability to put his team on his back and earn a win or two in this tournament, but it would be surprising if North Carolina Central loses at this event.

Main Bracket

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)
Nov. 28	Middle Tennessee vs. Cincinnati	6 p.m.
Nov. 28	Mississippi vs. Creighton	8:30 p.m.
Nov. 29	3rd Place Game	6 p.m.
Nov. 29	Championship Game	9 p.m.

Jarvis Summers is one of the best point guards in the country and will help Ole Miss throughout the season in a down year for the SEC, but the rest of the roster has really struggled. The Rebels simply do not have enough offense to be competitive in this tournament.

The same could be said about Middle Tennessee with the squad really struggling to make shots this season.

This will leave the tournament to come down to a great offensive team in Creighton against a great defensive team in Cincinnati.

Creighton is already performing better than most had predicted after losing Doug McDermott. The BlueJays upset Oklahoma already this season and are showing that they can get it done no matter who is on the roster.

Nicole Auerbach of USA Today joked about how big of a surprise this was:

Still, the favorite in this tournament seems to be Cincinnati despite losing Sean Kilpatrick and Justin Jackson from last year's team.

The Bearcats win games with defense, and they are getting it thanks to a scary group of newcomers. JuCo transfer Octavius Ellis and Gary Clark have been outstanding on that end of the court, combining for 16.5 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game.

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Ellis is playing like he has eight arms and has been one of the most pleasant surprises in the college basketball season, impressing Matt Trabold of 13WHAM with his play:

If Cincinnati can get enough offense from Troy Caupain and Farad Cobb, this team should be able to leave Florida with two wins and a tournament title.

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