Southern Conference
Team to beat: Davidson — Bobby McKillop lost a ton from a year ago and the Wildcats came into the season with just a total of 30 collegiate starts among all returnees, but it hasn't mattered. Davidson has won 10 straight games entering the league tournament and the Wildcats are in prime position to defend their title from a year ago. Freshman Stephen Curry, the son of former NBA Player Dell Curry, is averaging 20.7 points per game — which trails only Kevin Durant among freshmen nationally.
Sleeper: UNC Greensboro — Kyle Hines is just annihilating the SoCon, but I'm not sure anyone is capable of knocking off Davidson or co-favorite Appalachian State.
Prediction: Appalachian State — The Mountaineers set a school-record with 24 wins this season and Houston Fancher's team finished 15-3 in the SoCon. D.J. Thompson is our Player of the Year and has helped App State knock off Wichita State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, VCU and also Davidson this season.
Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 28 (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 1: No. 8 Chattanooga vs. No. 9 Wofford, 3 p.m. ET
Game 2: No. 7 Western Carolina vs. No. 10 Elon, 30 minutes after Game 1
Game 3: No. 6 Georgia Southern vs. No. 11 The Citadel, 30 minutes after Game 2
Thursday, March 1 — Quarterfinals (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 4: No. 1 Davidson vs. Winner of Game 1, 2 p.m. ET
Game 5: No. 4 UNC Greensboro vs. No. 5 Furman, 30 minutes after Game 4
Game 6: No. 2 Appalachian State vs. Winner of Game 2, 7 p.m. ET
Game 7: No. 3 College of Charleston vs. Winner of Game 3, 30 minutes after Game 6
Friday, March 2 — Semifinals (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 8: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5, 6 p.m. ET
Game 9: Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 7, 8:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 3 — Championship (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6 p.m. ET
All-conference picks
Player of the Year: D.J. Thompson, 5-8, 170, G, Sr., Appalachian State
Rookie of the Year: Stephen Curry, 6-0, 180, G, Fr., Davidson
Coach of the Year: Bobby McKillop, Davidson
All-Southern team
D.J. Thompson, 5-8, 170, G, Sr., Appalachian State — 15.7 ppg, 5.2 apg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 spg
Kyle Hines, 6-6, 230, F, Jr., UNC Greensboro — 20.4 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.2 bpg
Stephen Curry, 6-0, 180, G, Fr., Davidson, 6-0, 180, Fr., G, Davidson — 20.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.8 spg
Dontaye Draper, 5-11, 180, G, Sr., College of Charleston — 15.5 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4 rpg
Nick Aldridge, 6-7, 230, F, Fr., Western Carolina — 18 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.7 spg
Sun Belt
Favorite: South Alabama — John Pelphrey's team started slow, then went on a tear before wrapping up the regular-season league title and then losing three straight to end the year. We'll see if Pelphrey and his team can turn it on when it matters. He's got the talent with guys like Demetric Bennett, Daon Merritt and Ernest Little.
Sleeper: Florida Atlantic — Senior guard DeAndre Rice and sophomore big man Carlos Monroe may be the best inside-outside duo in the league and FAU knocked off Western Kentucky on the road and South Alabama at home in reeling off five of its last six games.
Fools Projection: Western Kentucky — The Hilltoppers were the favorites going into the season and while they have had their share of slip-ups, they still have junior Courtney Lee and plenty of depth. Western Kentucky won three straight to close out the season.
Schedule for the Tournament
Wednesday, Feb. 28 (campus sites of higher seeds)
No. 4 Louisiana-Monroe vs. No. 13 Denver, 7 p.m.
No. 5 North Texas vs. No. 12 Louisiana-Lafayette, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 11 Florida International, 6 p.m.
No. 7 New Orleans vs. No. 10 UALR, 7 p.m.
No. 8 Troy vs. No. 9 Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 — Quarterfinals (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 1: No. 1 South Alabama vs. No.8/9, 12:30 p.m.
Game 2: No. 4/13 vs. No. 5/12, 3 p.m.
Game 3: No. 2 Arkansas State vs. No. 7/10, 6:30 p.m.
Game 4: No. 3 Western Kentucky vs. No. 6/11, 9 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 — Semifinals (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6 — Championship (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 8 p.m.
WI's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Bo McCalleb, 6-0, 180, G, Jr,, New Orleans
Rookie of the Year: Elijah Millsap, 6-5, 205, G, Fr., Louisiana-Lafayette
Coach of the Year: John Pelphrey, South Alabama
All-Sun Belt team
Bo McCalleb, 6-0, 180, G, Jr., New Orleans — 24.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.4 apg
Courtney Lee, 6-5, 200, Jr., SG, Western Kentucky — 17.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Demetric Bennett, 6-5, 210, G, Jr., South Alabama — 15.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Carlos Monroe, 6-8, 245, Soph., F, Florida Atlantic — 18 ppg, 9.2 rpg
Rashad Jones-Jennings, 6-8, 230, Sr., F, Arkansas-Little Rock — 12.5 ppg, 13.1 rpg
Ohio Valley
Favorite: Austin Peay — The Governors wrapped up the regular-season title in January (so it seemed), but they lost three of their last four games and haven't won the tournament since 2003. Drake Reed is the league's best player and has scored in double figures in each of the last 16 games. "Lets Go PEAY!" ( I dont know WHY I like that...)
Sleeper: Samford — The Bulldogs have a penchant in their history for playing well in their conference tournament in March. No reason to think differently now.
Prediction: Tennessee Tech — Mike Sutton's team finished in a three-way tie for second place with Eastern Kentucky and Murray State. The Golden Eagles boast two of the league's top players in junior Anthony Fisher and Belton Rivers, who led the OVC in scoring in league games and are the most fun to watch.
Schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 27 (campus sites of top four seeds)
Game 1: No. 1 Austin Peay hosts No. 8 Tennessee State, 7 p.m.
Game 2: No. 2 Eastern Kentucky hosts No. 7 Morehead State, 6 p.m.
Game 3: No. 3 Tennessee Tech hosts No. 6 Southeast Missouri, 7 p.m.
Game 4: No. 4 Murray State hosts No. 5 Samford, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 2 — Semifinals (at Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 5:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 — Championship (at Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 7 p.m.
Goodman's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Drake Reed, 6-5, 235, F, Soph., Austin Peay
Rookie of the Year: Adam Leonard, 6-0, 185, G, Fr., Eastern Kentucky
Coach of the Year: Dave Loos, Austin Peay
All-Ohio Valley team
Drake Reed, 6-5, 235, F, Soph., Austin Peay — 15.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Randall Gulina, 6-1, 200, Sr., G, Samford — 17.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Anthony Fisher, 6-2, 185, Jr., G, Tennessee Tech — 17.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.1 apg Belton Rivers, 6-4, 195, Sr., G, Tennessee Tech — 18 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
Mike Rose, 6-3, 185, Soph., G, Eastern Kentucky — 15.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 39% 3-pointers
Team to beat: Davidson — Bobby McKillop lost a ton from a year ago and the Wildcats came into the season with just a total of 30 collegiate starts among all returnees, but it hasn't mattered. Davidson has won 10 straight games entering the league tournament and the Wildcats are in prime position to defend their title from a year ago. Freshman Stephen Curry, the son of former NBA Player Dell Curry, is averaging 20.7 points per game — which trails only Kevin Durant among freshmen nationally.
Sleeper: UNC Greensboro — Kyle Hines is just annihilating the SoCon, but I'm not sure anyone is capable of knocking off Davidson or co-favorite Appalachian State.
Prediction: Appalachian State — The Mountaineers set a school-record with 24 wins this season and Houston Fancher's team finished 15-3 in the SoCon. D.J. Thompson is our Player of the Year and has helped App State knock off Wichita State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, VCU and also Davidson this season.
Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 28 (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 1: No. 8 Chattanooga vs. No. 9 Wofford, 3 p.m. ET
Game 2: No. 7 Western Carolina vs. No. 10 Elon, 30 minutes after Game 1
Game 3: No. 6 Georgia Southern vs. No. 11 The Citadel, 30 minutes after Game 2
Thursday, March 1 — Quarterfinals (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 4: No. 1 Davidson vs. Winner of Game 1, 2 p.m. ET
Game 5: No. 4 UNC Greensboro vs. No. 5 Furman, 30 minutes after Game 4
Game 6: No. 2 Appalachian State vs. Winner of Game 2, 7 p.m. ET
Game 7: No. 3 College of Charleston vs. Winner of Game 3, 30 minutes after Game 6
Friday, March 2 — Semifinals (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 8: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5, 6 p.m. ET
Game 9: Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 7, 8:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 3 — Championship (at North Charleston Coliseum)
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6 p.m. ET
All-conference picks
Player of the Year: D.J. Thompson, 5-8, 170, G, Sr., Appalachian State
Rookie of the Year: Stephen Curry, 6-0, 180, G, Fr., Davidson
Coach of the Year: Bobby McKillop, Davidson
All-Southern team
D.J. Thompson, 5-8, 170, G, Sr., Appalachian State — 15.7 ppg, 5.2 apg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 spg
Kyle Hines, 6-6, 230, F, Jr., UNC Greensboro — 20.4 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.2 bpg
Stephen Curry, 6-0, 180, G, Fr., Davidson, 6-0, 180, Fr., G, Davidson — 20.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.8 spg
Dontaye Draper, 5-11, 180, G, Sr., College of Charleston — 15.5 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4 rpg
Nick Aldridge, 6-7, 230, F, Fr., Western Carolina — 18 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.7 spg
Sun Belt
Favorite: South Alabama — John Pelphrey's team started slow, then went on a tear before wrapping up the regular-season league title and then losing three straight to end the year. We'll see if Pelphrey and his team can turn it on when it matters. He's got the talent with guys like Demetric Bennett, Daon Merritt and Ernest Little.
Sleeper: Florida Atlantic — Senior guard DeAndre Rice and sophomore big man Carlos Monroe may be the best inside-outside duo in the league and FAU knocked off Western Kentucky on the road and South Alabama at home in reeling off five of its last six games.
Fools Projection: Western Kentucky — The Hilltoppers were the favorites going into the season and while they have had their share of slip-ups, they still have junior Courtney Lee and plenty of depth. Western Kentucky won three straight to close out the season.
Schedule for the Tournament
Wednesday, Feb. 28 (campus sites of higher seeds)
No. 4 Louisiana-Monroe vs. No. 13 Denver, 7 p.m.
No. 5 North Texas vs. No. 12 Louisiana-Lafayette, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 11 Florida International, 6 p.m.
No. 7 New Orleans vs. No. 10 UALR, 7 p.m.
No. 8 Troy vs. No. 9 Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 — Quarterfinals (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 1: No. 1 South Alabama vs. No.8/9, 12:30 p.m.
Game 2: No. 4/13 vs. No. 5/12, 3 p.m.
Game 3: No. 2 Arkansas State vs. No. 7/10, 6:30 p.m.
Game 4: No. 3 Western Kentucky vs. No. 6/11, 9 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 — Semifinals (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6 — Championship (Lafayette, LA - CajunDome)
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 8 p.m.
WI's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Bo McCalleb, 6-0, 180, G, Jr,, New Orleans
Rookie of the Year: Elijah Millsap, 6-5, 205, G, Fr., Louisiana-Lafayette
Coach of the Year: John Pelphrey, South Alabama
All-Sun Belt team
Bo McCalleb, 6-0, 180, G, Jr., New Orleans — 24.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.4 apg
Courtney Lee, 6-5, 200, Jr., SG, Western Kentucky — 17.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Demetric Bennett, 6-5, 210, G, Jr., South Alabama — 15.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Carlos Monroe, 6-8, 245, Soph., F, Florida Atlantic — 18 ppg, 9.2 rpg
Rashad Jones-Jennings, 6-8, 230, Sr., F, Arkansas-Little Rock — 12.5 ppg, 13.1 rpg
Ohio Valley
Favorite: Austin Peay — The Governors wrapped up the regular-season title in January (so it seemed), but they lost three of their last four games and haven't won the tournament since 2003. Drake Reed is the league's best player and has scored in double figures in each of the last 16 games. "Lets Go PEAY!" ( I dont know WHY I like that...)
Sleeper: Samford — The Bulldogs have a penchant in their history for playing well in their conference tournament in March. No reason to think differently now.
Prediction: Tennessee Tech — Mike Sutton's team finished in a three-way tie for second place with Eastern Kentucky and Murray State. The Golden Eagles boast two of the league's top players in junior Anthony Fisher and Belton Rivers, who led the OVC in scoring in league games and are the most fun to watch.
Schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 27 (campus sites of top four seeds)
Game 1: No. 1 Austin Peay hosts No. 8 Tennessee State, 7 p.m.
Game 2: No. 2 Eastern Kentucky hosts No. 7 Morehead State, 6 p.m.
Game 3: No. 3 Tennessee Tech hosts No. 6 Southeast Missouri, 7 p.m.
Game 4: No. 4 Murray State hosts No. 5 Samford, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 2 — Semifinals (at Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 5:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 — Championship (at Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 7 p.m.
Goodman's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Drake Reed, 6-5, 235, F, Soph., Austin Peay
Rookie of the Year: Adam Leonard, 6-0, 185, G, Fr., Eastern Kentucky
Coach of the Year: Dave Loos, Austin Peay
All-Ohio Valley team
Drake Reed, 6-5, 235, F, Soph., Austin Peay — 15.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Randall Gulina, 6-1, 200, Sr., G, Samford — 17.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Anthony Fisher, 6-2, 185, Jr., G, Tennessee Tech — 17.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.1 apg Belton Rivers, 6-4, 195, Sr., G, Tennessee Tech — 18 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
Mike Rose, 6-3, 185, Soph., G, Eastern Kentucky — 15.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 39% 3-pointers
