Southland Basketball: 2021 conference tournament preview, predictions

Southland Basketball: 2021 conference tournament preview and predictions

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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Southland Basketball Abilene Christian Wildcats Mark Morris Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Semi-Finals

No. 5 New Orleans vs. No.1 Nicholls

Nicholls obtained two wins to earn themselves a sweep over the Privateers this season. The first win came in a blowout, with the second one coming in a hard-fought 105-101 victory in overtime. That win saw Ty Gordon put up 26, with some help off the bench from forward Najee Garvin, who put up 28. St. Hilaire had himself another fantastic day putting up 32 points, with Troy Green chipping in 21.

This game pretty much sums up the matchup. New Orleans is going to have to play at their absolute best to win this one. Even then it might not be enough. If St. Hilaire and Green can put up career numbers they might have a fighting chance, but the Colonels are going to end up taking this one.

Prediction: Nicholls 87, New Orleans, 79

No. 2 Abilene Christian vs. No. 3 Sam Houston State

This game is going to set up to be one of the most exciting ones of the tournament. Both teams nabbed a win in this year’s contests, with Abilene coming out on top most recently, winning by a score of 86-72. Nutall put up 33 points in the loss. The Wildcats were able to get a great game out of forward Joe Pleasant, who put up 24 points. The Junior is averaging 10.7 ppg on the campaign.

As good as Nutall is, between the play of Reggie Miller, and Pleasant, Abilene is going to be really tough to beat. Nutall is going to have to put up another career day, and even that might not be enough. If the Bearkats can’t win the rebound battle in the paint, it’s going to be very hard for them to come out on top with the win. The Wildcats are going to find themselves in the Championship after this one.

Abilene Christian 87, Sam Houston State, 81

Finals

No. 1 Nicholls vs. No. 2 Abilene Christian

Just where we thought we would be, right? It’s going to be a thriller for sure, as these two teams haven’t faced off yet this year. It’s going to take a team effort from the Wildcats to pull off the victory, but as mentioned earlier: that’s their game.

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It’s going to be a back-and-fourth affair that’s going to see Abilene pull off the win punching their ticket to the dance for the first time since 2019.

Prediction: Abilene Christian 79, Nicholls 75