Sun Belt Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

Bracket

The format of the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament is rather interesting. Of the conference’s twelve teams, only the top ten in the conference standings get to compete for the NCAA Tournament bid. Troy and Louisiana Monroe did not make the cut. Also, the tournament format shows that the Sun Belt highly values regular season performances. This is evident by the fact that the top two seeds get automatic byes into the semifinals, while the third and fourth overall seed gets automatic byes into the quarterfinals.

First Round

7) UT Arlington vs. 10) Coastal Carolina

Here are two teams that have occasionally played at a high level that made everyone think they could stick around and be competitive in the league. Unfortunately for both, injuries are can partly be to blame for why they may have been inconsistent this season. Nonetheless, they are both in the conference tournament and have another shot. Despite Coastal Carolina being the #10 seed, they have two victories already against UT Arlington. They will grab another one and advance to the Second Round.

Prediction: Coastal Carolina 82 – UT Arlington 74

8) Louisiana vs. 9) Arkansas State

This is an interesting matchup in the First Round of the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament due to the fact that the two teams split their first two meetings in the regular season. Arkansas State grabbed the first one at the very start of conference play, and Louisiana took the second meeting last week. Until Tuesday night, the Red Wolves were on an eight-game losing streak. Louisiana has had its ups and downs in recent days, but coming off of a recent win against Arkansas State, they will get them again in the Sun Belt Tournament.

Prediction: Louisiana 73 – Arkansas State 65