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SWAC Basketball: 2022 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

By Dominic Ferrucci

Dec 20, 2021; Waco, Texas, USA; Alcorn State Braves guard Dominic Brewton (15) controls the ball against the Baylor Bears during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2021; Waco, Texas, USA; Alcorn State Braves guard Dominic Brewton (15) controls the ball against the Baylor Bears during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports /
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SWAC Basketball Texas Southern Tigers Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
SWAC Basketball Texas Southern Tigers Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /

The Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC Basketball) will begin tournament play on Wednesday, March 9th, and the league is as open as any conference tournament you will ever find. Dating back to 2010, only four regular-season champions have finished the job in the conference tournament to secure a bid to the big dance.

And look no further than #1 seed Alcorn State’s season split with #8 seed Prairie View A&M as a sign that this season could be no different. In fact, all lower-seeded teams entering tournament play lost to their opening-round opponent at least once during the regular season. Expect mayhem in a conference that is different from other conference tournaments, to begin with.

After recent conference expansion from 10 to 12 teams, the tournament’s format only allows for two-thirds of the league to have a chance at a tournament bid in the first place. Viewing eyes might be elsewhere this champ week, but make no mistake that the SWAC is sure to provide some fireworks done in Birmingham, AL themselves.

The bracket rewards the #1 and #2 seeds, giving Alcorn State and Texas Southern an extra day of rest provided that they win Wednesday’s quarterfinal matchup. The quarterfinal round will conclude Thursday with #3 seed Southern taking on #6 seeded Grambling State at 3 pm EST followed by #Florida A&M squaring off with Alabama State in the nightcap at 9:30 EST.

WynnBET gives Southern at +240 the best odds to take home the title shortly followed by Texas Southern at +270. Of course, these two would match up in the second round provided that they both win in the quarterfinals. Wynn BET gives Alcorn State 4-1 odds to take home the title while eighth-seeded Prairie View A&M has the fourth-best odds at 8-1.

These numbers tell me, it’s anyone’s tournament to win this week. So who will be so lucky to bring home the title? And who are the players that might have a say in that regard?