We’ve got a busy weekend coming up, with another group of conference tournaments getting underway. We previewed the first batch of conference tournaments earlier this week. Here is our second serving for the ones starting on Friday.
SoCon
Dates: March 7-10
TV: ESPN+, ESPNU, ESPN
Notable: Last year’s champion Samford (22-9, 12-6) is the No. 3 seed
Until Chattanooga’s win over UNC Greensboro in the regular season finale, the top tier of the SoCon was separated by one or two games most of the way. The Mocs (23-8, 15-3) have one of the top-scoring trios in the country; 5-foot-10 guard Honor Huff (14.7 points per game) is one of three players averaging at least 13.5 points per game.
Still, Chattanooga isn’t by any means a clear-cut favorite. UNCG (20-11, 13-5) has a win over the Mocs on the road and recently dropped 108 points to beat Samford. The Bulldogs and “Buckyball” are a top-15 scoring unit again and will be a tough out. Furman (23-8, 11-7) is a darkhorse to watch, as the Paladins have plenty of experience winning the SoCon Tournament.
America East
Dates: March 8-15
TV: ESPN+, ESPN2
Notable: No. 3 seed Maine (17-13, 9-6) has never won a conference tournament game
There are two key storylines to the America East Tournament. One, can Maine break through and finally win a postseason game? The Black Bears host UMass Lowell (17-13, 6-9) with history on the line. The other thing is the expected battle at the top between Bryant (19-11, 13-2) and Vermont (19-11, 12-3), which, even in a “down” year, still finished second in the standings.
These two teams split their regular season matchups. Bryant, one of the top scoring units in the nation, won the game that was a shootout. Vermont won the game that didn’t make it to 60 points. Whichever team can get the game at its pace will be able to win Round 3, barring a big upset beforehand.
CAA
Dates: March 7-11
TV: FloHoops (streaming), CBS Sports Network
Notable: No. 4 seed William & Mary and No. 9 Elon have never made the NCAA Tournament
Although Charleston (23-8, 13-5) doesn’t have Coach Pat Kelsey, Chris Mack has still kept the perennial CAA contender Charleston in the mix. The Cougars are led by 6-foot-10 forward Ante Brzovic, who leads the team with 18.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
But with Charleston taking a small step back, this creates the opportunity that two other consistent contenders have been waiting for. Towson (21-10, 16-2) and UNC Wilmington (24-7, 14-4) are the top two seeds, with plenty of firepower and offense overall. However, watch for No. 6 Monmouth, which has CAA leading scorer and 6-foot-7 wing Abdi Bashir Jr. (20.3 points per game). If he’s hot, he can lead the Hawks on a run.
Big Sky
Dates: March 8-12
TV: ESPN+, ESPNU, ESPN2
Notable: Defending Big Sky Tournament champion Montana State (14-17, 9-9) is the No. 5 seed
Similar to the America East, the Big Sky has two clear contenders for the title, as Northern Colorado (23-8, 15-3) and Montana (22-9, 15-3) are up several games in the standings from the rest of the conference. The Bears score over 80 points per game and have two all-league stars in Isaiah Hawthorne (17.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game) and Langston Reynolds (16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game).
Montana is more balanced on offense, with six players averaging at least 7.0 points per game. But a potential March Madness star to watch is 6-foot-4 guard Money Williams (13.5 points per game), who dropped 30 points against Tennessee early in the season and had a recent 36-point effort versus Portland State in OT. These two split their regular season matchups against one another and odds are good they’ll meet again for Round 3.
Southland
Dates: March 9-12
TV: ESPN+, ESPNU, ESPN2
Notable: Perennial Southland contender Stephen F. Austin (14-17, 7-13) did not qualify for the eight-team field
If you had to bet your house on one team winning its conference tournament, McNeese (25-6, 19-1) would be the pick. The Cowboys once again dominated the league, with a number of wins by 20 points or more. The roster is filled with former high-major players with more talent compared to the rest of the Southland, led by 6-foot-2 leading scorer Javohn Garcia (12.6 points per game), along with last year’s Defensive Player of the Year and 6-foot-6 forward Christian Shumate (10.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game).
That being said, McNeese has had close calls with the next two best teams, Lamar (19-12, 14-6) and Nicholls (19-12, 13-7), the lone team to defeat the Cowboys in the regular season. The Colonels have four double-digit scorers, including 6-foot-6 guard Mike Gray (11.3 points per game), who dropped 20 points in the upset win over McNeese.
