Busting Brackets
Fansided

Southland Basketball Tournament: Sam Houston State looking for first title this decade

By Daniel Benjamin

HONOLULU, HI - DECEMBER 23: The Stephen F. Austin bench celebrates after scoring during the second half of the Diamond Head Classic NCAA college basketball game at Stan Sheriff Center on December 23, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI - DECEMBER 23: The Stephen F. Austin bench celebrates after scoring during the second half of the Diamond Head Classic NCAA college basketball game at Stan Sheriff Center on December 23, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – DECEMBER 3: Derreck Brooks #32 of the Central Arkansas Bears tries to explain a foul call to head coach Russ Pennell during the first quarter of a NCAA college basketball game against at the Lloyd Noble Center on December 3, 2015 in Norman, OK. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – DECEMBER 3: Derreck Brooks #32 of the Central Arkansas Bears tries to explain a foul call to head coach Russ Pennell during the first quarter of a NCAA college basketball game against at the Lloyd Noble Center on December 3, 2015 in Norman, OK. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

Schedule and Predictions

Quarterfinals, March 13

Game 1 – No. 5 Lamar (19-12) vs. No. 8 Houston Baptist (12-17), 6 p.m., ESPN +

The Cardinals and the Huskies split their two meetings this year with each winning on their home court. Lamar has topped the 80-point mark in each of the last three games and put up 110 points in its last meeting, marking the fourth time that the Cardinals have reached the century mark, against HBU. The Huskies have allowed 100 or more points on three occasions this year.

Buster is the key to the game for Lamar. The 5’10” freshman has scored 14 or more points in each of his last six appearances, including two 20-point efforts. He had 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field and 4-for-7 from beyond the arc to go along with five rebounds in the last game against the Huskies.

Prediction: Lamar 88, HBU 75

Game 2 – No. 6 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (14-17) vs. No. 7 Central Arkansas (13-18), 8:30 p.m. ESPN +

Both teams enter the tournament on a winning streak with the Islanders having won three in a row and the Bears taking their last two games. AMCC won the teams lone outing 87-75.

Prediction: Central Arkansas 76, AMCC 69

Thursday’s Games

Game 3 – No. 4 New Orleans (17-12) vs. Game 1 (Lamar) winner, 5 p.m.

The Privateers have won eight of 10. N.O. defeated Lamar earlier this year in overtime.

Prediction: Lamar 71, New Orleans 62

Game 4 – No. 3 Southeastern Louisiana (16-15) vs. Game 2 (Central Arkansas) winner, 8:30 p.m., ESPN+

Predictions: SE Louisiana 76, ACU 69

Friday’s Games

Semifinals

Game 5 – No. 1 Sam Houston State (21-10) vs. Game 3 (Lamar) winner, 5 p.m.

Prediction: Lamar 85, SHSU 79

Game 6 – No. 2 ACU (25-6) vs. Game 4 (SE Louisiana) winner, 7:30 p.m.

Prediction: ACU 81, SE Louisiana 68

Potential Cinderellas in the Big Dance. dark. Next

Championship

Game 7 – Game 5 winner (Lamar) vs. Game 6 (ACU) winner, 8:30 p.m.

Prediction: ACU 74  Lamar 71