Sun Belt Tournament Preview
The Sun Belt Conference Tournament begins today in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Middle Tennessee State earned the #1 seed with a 27-4 overall record and a 19-1 record in Sun Belt play.
MTSU has a big bulls eye on their back. Number one seeds in the Sun Belt Tournament have not fared well over the last few years. Even last season MTSU had a similarly impressive record but fell in their first game of the 2012 Sun Belt Tournament to #9 seed Arkansas State. Their record coming into the game was 27-7 (14-2 SBC).
MTSU has been tearing through some of their opponents this season without abandon. They defeated ULM by 41 points, the Jags by 35, Troy by 52 and UALR by 32 all since the beginning of the year. Their only loss was on the road against Arkansas State, who had their number in the tournament last season in Arkansas, 66-60 in overtime.
After their loss last season, they were snubbed by the NCAA Tournament and settled for the NIT. The same could happen this season if they lose their opening game of the tournament, but many think that if they don’t get embarrassed they would get an at-large berth in the tournament. They enter the SBC Tournament with a 16-game winning streak and 10 consecutive win by double digits. Their RPI is #24th in the nation.
The rest of the teams are looking to win the tournament for an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. South Alabama is one of those teams. Augustine Rubit was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year for his performance this season. The Jags will look to use him as they have thei season to advance in the tournament.
MTSU will face the winner of the #8 seed UL-Lafayette and #9 North Texas who tip off at 6:30pm this evening. While the Jags will face the winner between the #6 WKU and #11 UL-Monroe gam that tips off at 6pm.
The other game this tonight is #7 FAU and #10 Troy who tip off at 8:30pm.