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Southland Basketball: 2021 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Matthew Mastandrea

Mar 11, 2017; Katy, TX, USA; Members of the New Orleans Privateers raise the Southland Conference Championship trophy following their 68-65 overtime win over the Texas A&M Corpus Islanders in the Southland Conference Championship game at Merrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Katy, TX, USA; Members of the New Orleans Privateers raise the Southland Conference Championship trophy following their 68-65 overtime win over the Texas A&M Corpus Islanders in the Southland Conference Championship game at Merrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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ACU’s Kolton Kohl Southland Basketball Acu Uiw Mbb 2
ACU’s Kolton Kohl Southland Basketball Acu Uiw Mbb 2 /

First Round

No. 8 Southeastern LA vs. No. 9 McNeese 

These were two competitive games between the two this season, with each team taking a four-point win over the other. If the Lions can shoot the ball effectively from deep they will have every opportunity to win, but McNeese poses too much of a threat down low with Feazell to take the win. They are also entering the contest on a four-game losing streak. It’s going to be a close game that sees the Cowboys pull it out in the last few minutes.

Prediction: McNeese 97, Southeastern LA, 92 

No. 7 UIW vs, No. 10 Houston Baptist 

The Cardinals of Incarnate Word do come in with a higher seed than the Huskies, however, they did lose both contests this season. The last matchup was close, but the Cardinals haven’t been able to stop Pedro Castro or Darius Lee this season, and that is going to be a deal-breaker. If the two guards are able to score at will it might get out of hand pretty fast. The higher seeds just might end up taking both contests on day one.

Prediction: Houston Baptist 81, UIW 69 

Second Round

No. 9 McNeese vs. No. 5 New Orleans 

The two teams were able to match up once this season, in a game that saw New Orleans win by 15. Derek St. Hilaire stole the show with a career-high 33. KeyShawn Feazell tallied 22 points, but his efforts went unrewarded. The Privateers are playing some of their best ball of late, and Senior guard Troy Green has been lights out for them.

Even if St. Hilaire doesn’t go for 33 points again, the guard play between him and Green is going to be too much for the Cowboys to handle. The Privateers are going to take it in a close battle.

Prediction: New Orleans 82, McNeese 76

No. 10 Houston Baptist vs. No. 6 Lamar 

These two split their games this season, with Houston Baptist taking the most recent contest with a five-point victory. Pedro Castro is going to have another solid game for the Huskies, but his efforts are going to fall short. Davion Buster is going to lead the way in scoring, as the Cardinals continue their hot streak into the tournament with a narrow victory over the Huskies.

Prediction: Lamar 85, Houston Baptist 81 

Third Round

No. 5 New Orleans vs. No. 4 Northwestern State 

Each team was able to secure a win over the other this season, with New Orleans coming out on top most recently. The Demons are going to need Junior guard, Trenton Massner to be at his best against the Privateers if they’re going to want to advance to the semis. While it will only have been five days since they played last, Troy Green and New Orleans are going to take advantage of playing back-to-back days, and are going to take down the Demons in a pretty sizeable victory.

Prediction: New Orleans 89, Northwestern State 71

No. 6 Lamar vs. No. 3 Sam Houston State 

Lamar was one of my dark horses coming into the tournament, Sam Houston State has been playing at a whole different level this year against the Cardinals. With two wins, including a 25-point blowout, it’s going to take all Buster and the Cardinals have to pull-off this one. Nutall is going to be lights out in this contest, leading the Bearkats to the semifinals.

Prediction: Sam Houston State: 80, Lamar 67