Sun Belt Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 12: The Troy Trojans celebrate after the championship game of the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament against the Texas State Bobcats at UNO Lakefront Arena on March 12, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Troy Trojans won 59-53. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 17: The Georgia State Panthers huddle (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Semifinals

1) Little Rock vs. 4) Georgia State

This matchup to see who advances to the finals of the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament will definitely be thrilling. What will make it fun is the fact that we are yet to really understand how these two squads play against each other. In their one and only meeting on Tuesday night, the Georgia State Panthers sent a strong message to the Sun Belt #1 seed.

The leading scorer of the Trojans, sophomore guard, Markquis Nowell, did only have ten points on seven minutes that night. With him getting more minutes this time around, the meeting between these two should be great. I truly think Georgia State will keep its winning ways. Head Coach, Rob Lanier, and guard, Kane Williams, will lead the Panthers to the conference championship.

Prediction: Georgia State 87 – Little Rock 80

2) South Alabama vs. 3) Texas State

Getting to see conference leading scorer, Nijal Pearson, and the rest of this Texas State squad take on the South Alabama Jaguars in the semifinals is going to be fun. As with Little Rock and Georgia State, the first and only meeting between these two teams was on Tuesday night. South Alabama prevailed 58-54 over Texas State.

The game consisted of strong defensive showings by both teams, and South Alabama’s leading scorer, Josh Ajayi, was held to only four points, while Nijal Pearson of Texas State was held to only seven points. The meeting between these two in the semifinals will be defined by strong defense once again. Ultimately, the depth of the Jaguars and their ability to have many guys contribute on offense will overwhelm the Bobcats.

Prediction: South Alabama 62 – Texas State 51

Finals

2) South Alabama vs. 4) Georgia State

This finals matchup is very intriguing because of the fact that the #2 seed lost both regular-season meetings to the #4 seed. That will have Georgia State coming in feeling comfortable and confident enough that they can cause problems for South Alabama once again; however, entering this contest with an underdog mentality may play to benefit South Alabama. They no longer have to feel like the hunted, and they can set out to do some hunting of their own.

Both of these teams are well-rounded on both offense and defense. Each has four guys that average in the double digits in scoring. One thing that makes these two teams different is that Georgia State’s offense revolves more around crafty guard play, while South Alabama looks to its talented forwards to do much of its offensive damage. It’s certainly a clash of styles, but I think the guards of Georgia State get the job done by making things too challenging for South Alabama.

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The Georgia State Panthers will win the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament and earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament once again, making it their third straight conference tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth.