Sun Belt Basketball: Georgia State leads the way for 2019 tournament

Sun Belt Basketball: Georgia State leads the favorites for 2019 Tournament

By TJ Miller | Mar 11, 2019

JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 19: The Georgia State Panthers celebrate after the Panthers win 57-56 against the Baylor Bears in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on March 19, 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 14: Michael Ertel #2 of the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks drives past Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on November 14, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Tournament Prediction

Round 1

(8) South Alabama vs. (9) Arkansas State

Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 pm ET on ESPN+

The opening round of the Sun Belt tournament will be held at campus sites. Therefore, South Alabama will get to host this game. Neither team is coming into this game in good form, with South Alabama losing five of its last eight and Arkansas State dropping three of its last four. With that said, South Alabama is a better defensive team and playing at home should help them win this one. Prediction: South Alabama

(7) ULM vs. (10) Appalachian State

Tuesday, March 12 at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN+

UL-Monroe doesn’t do everything well but they can certainly shoot. Daishon Smith leads a group that shoots 38.9% from three and also a solid 77.6% from the free throw line. Appalachian State was able to split games with ULM on the season but it’s hard to see them going on the road and scoring an upset here. Prediction: ULM

Round 2

(5) Louisiana vs. (8) South Alabama

Thursday, March 14 at 6:00 pm ET on ESPN+

These two met March 9th in an overtime thriller so there’s some intrigue in seeing a rematch. Louisiana pulled off a 90-87 win after falling to Arkansas State earlier in the season. I like the more talented and better-rested squad to come out with a victory and Louisiana has a roster full of experienced players who check those boxes. Prediction: Louisiana

(6) Coastal Carolina vs. (7) ULM

Thursday, March 14 at 8:30 pm ET on ESPN+

Although Coastal Carolina won both contests in league play, a home loss to Troy on Senior Day had to be pretty disappointing. If ULM can get to this game, I like them to top Coastal Carolina in a close battle. They will have to play better defensively in order to do so as they allowed over 90 points in the two regular season games these two played. Prediction: ULM

Quarterfinals

(4) Texas State vs. (5) Louisiana

Friday, March 15 at 6:00 pm ET on ESPN+

Texas State nearly blew a large lead in the only matchup against Louisiana but managed to win 64-62. The Bobcats suffered back to back losses to close out the regular season and will need to get back to playing excellent defense if they want to advance here. This will be an offense vs defense game and could hinge on if Texas State is able to contain Louisiana’s JaKeenan Gant. Prediction: Texas State

(3) Georgia Southern vs. (7) Louisiana-Monroe

Friday, March 15 at 8:30 pm ET on ESPN+

Georgia Southern had rattled off six straight wins before losing a back and forth affair vs. Georgia State. Tookie Brown and Montae Glenn are two seniors who are playing very well right now for the Eagles. This would also be the third game in four days for ULM and advancing beyond this point is a tough ask. Prediction: Georgia Southern