Conference Tourney Primers: Sun Belt
Posted by Tommy Lemoine on March 12th, 2015We’re in the midst of Championship Fortnight, so let’s gear up for the continuing action by breaking down each of the Other 26’s conference tournaments as they get under way.
Sun Belt Tournament
Dates: March 12-15
Site: Lakefront Arena (New Orleans, LA)
What to expect: Georgia State was thought to be a Cinderella-in-the-making before an uneven and somewhat disappointing campaign quieted that talk. The Panthers still won the Sun Belt title, though, and few other teams boast a pair of guards as offensively gifted as R.J. Hunter, the coach’s son, and Ryan Harrow, the former Kentucky and NC State transfer. Possible challengers include Georgia Southern and Louisiana Monroe – two of the league’s best defensive units – along with Louisiana-Lafayette, which broke Georgia State’s heart in the title game last season. The top seed has not won this tournament since 2009, a trend Ron Hunter’s group hopes to buck this weekend. A double-bye to the semifinals helps.
Favorite: Georgia State. Georgia State was the most efficient offensive and defensive team in conference play this season, led by that stellar backcourt and Ron Hunter’s 2-3 zone – which limited eight of its last 10 opponents to under a point per possession. The Panthers’ defense has improved so much from a year ago, in fact, that it’s helped the team overcome slightly worse offensive numbers overall. That well-roundedness – along with a double-bye to the semifinals – puts them in great position this weekend.
Darkhorse: Louisiana-Lafayette. The Ragin’ Cajuns quietly won their last six contests to end the regular season after starting 7-7 in Sun Belt play. Double-double machine Shawn Long (17 PPG, 10.3 RPG) was his usual beastly self during that stretch, and the team as a whole dominated opponents on the glass, including a 17-offensive-rebound performance against Arkansas State. Louisiana-Lafayette already beat Georgia State once this season and should get another crack at the Panthers on Saturday.
Who wins: Georgia State. The likeliest teams to emerge from the bottom half of the bracket are either Georgia Southern or Louisiana-Monroe, both clubs that Georgia State beat last week. On Thursday, Harrow scored 31 points in a road victory over the Warhawks; two days later, R.J. Hunter poured in 35 against the Eagles. As long as the Panthers can take care of Louisiana-Lafayette in the semifinals, their offensive dominance should once again carry them on Sunday. Expect Ron Hunter’s veteran team to become the first #1 seed in six years to win this tournament.
Player to watch: Ryan Harrow. While R.J. Hunter’s shooting percentages have taken a dip in 2014-15, Harrow’s have only gone up (free throw line, notwithstanding). The senior scored 25 points or more seven different times in the regular season and dropped 37 in last year’s thrilling – but heartbreaking – conference championship game. Both backcourt stars are worth watching, but Harrow’s quickness makes him especially appealing.
