Stephen F. Austin dominated the Southland Conference this season, and rolled to an undefeated record in conference play. However, the Lumberjacks will be hard-pressed to remain unbeaten as they seek an automatic ticket to the Big Dance later this month. They’ll have some tough and feisty challengers ahead as each team presents its own set of challenges.
Can Stephen F. Austin remain unbeaten? Or will they suffer their first loss in 2016? Read on as we take a look at the Southland Conference Tournament.
For more college basketball league tournaments, check out our complete previews for the Mid-American and MEAC Championships.
There was no stopping the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks from taking the No. 1 seed in the Southland Conference Tournament. They went an unbeaten 18-0 as they trounced any and all challengers in the Southland. Thomas Walkup has been stellar for the Lumberjacks leading his team with 17.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. He also has a team-best 59 percent field goal percentage.
The Lumberjacks are the downright favorites to win the tournament. They’ve been unstoppable all season long ranking 39th in the country points per game (79.9), second in assists per game (19) and 13th in points allowed per game (63.1).
Sleepers
Sam Houston State Bearkats
Sam Houston State is one of the hottest teams entering the Southland Conference Tournament. The Bearkats have won five of their last seven games heading into the tournament. The trio of Dakarai Henderson (14.3 pointer per game), Aurimas Majauskas (14.2) and Ameer Jackson (11) has given the Bearkats’ offense plenty of spark.
The Bearkats are dangerous outs in the conference tournament with their high-scoring ways (75.4 points per game). But they’ll need plenty of things to fall their way considering they’re just 1-4 against possible opponents on their side of the bracket.
Southeastern Louisiana Lions
The Southeastern Louisiana Lions have also been hot heading into the Southland Conference Tournament. They’ve won four of their last five, but their last outing was a 19-point loss against Nicholls State. Southeastern has a very good chance of advancing to the second round of the tournament. The Lions won both regular season matchups against first round foe New Orleans.
The Lions are led by Zay Jackson with 12.5 points per game. They also have plenty of solid contributors with seven other players averaging more than seven points per game. Having plenty of capable scorers should give them plenty of opportunities for an upset or two at the tournament.
Long Shot
McNeese State Cowboys
McNeese State may be biting off more than it can chew. The Cowboys split their two games against Nicholls State, their opponents in the first round of the tournament. Their lone win was a taxing overtime win at home. But they’re riding a wave of momentum after winning their last three regular season games.
The Cowboys have a very favorable bracket in the Southland Conference Tournament. If they can dispatch of Nicholls State, then they have a favorable outing against third seed Sam Houston State in the second round. Should they make the semifinal round, they face Texas A&M Corpus Christi, who only beat them by single digits in the regular season.
McNeese State may not have the best offense and defense, which rank 226th and 322nd in the nation respectively. But they have the luxury of being in a bracket they could excel in.
Writer’s Prediction
Stephen F. Austin doesn’t have much of a challenge. They extend their win streak to 20 games as they earn a spot in the NCAA tournament.
