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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MANHATTAN, KS – DECEMBER 15: D’Marcus Simonds #15 of the Georgia State Panthers looks to make a pass against pressure from Barry Brown Jr. #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half on December 15, 2018 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Semifinals

(1) Georgia State vs. (4) Texas State

Saturday, March 16 at 4:00 pm ET on ESPN+

The new format of the Sun Belt means the top two seeds just need a couple wins to go dancing. While this gives Georgia State the distinct advantage of getting to play fresh, Texas State did score an away victory after losing a home game to Georgia State in the season series. But Georgia State and Coach Hunter have an excellent track record in this tournament and they should figure out a way to advance. Prediction: Georgia State

(2) UTA vs. (3) Georgia Southern

Saturday, March 16 at 6:30 pm ET on ESPN+

Last season was supposed to be the one where UTA got to the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, the Mavericks lost in the Sun Belt finals and seniors Kevin Hervey and Erick Neal missed out on the Big Dance. Although UTA perhaps viewed this season as more a rebuilding time, they won four straight to claim the 2 seed to earn a double-bye to the semis. Guards Brian Warren and Edric Dennis have accounted for almost half of UTA’s scoring and will need to play great to win. I have a lot of admiration for this UTA squad, but I have to side with Georgia Southern to squeak by if Tookie Brown can play as well as he has been playing. Prediction: Georgia Southern

Cinderella hopefuls in the Big Dance. dark. Next

Finals

(1) Georgia State vs. (3) Georgia Southern

Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 pm ET on ESPN2

In all honesty, I would be just a little disappointed if this matchup doesn’t happen on Selection Sunday. These two teams always seem to play highly entertaining games with lots of scoring involved. Georgia Southern would need to overcome being swept by Georgia State in conference play to make its first NCAA appearance since 1992. I don’t see it happening. D’Marcus Simonds scored a combined 49 points in the two games earlier in the season and I see him once again leading the Panthers to a second consecutive NCAA Tournament.

Prediction: Georgia State.