It’s the most wonderful time of the year (for college basketball fans at least): Tournament Time!
Even though Kennesaw State and Liberty duked it out for the ASUN regular season title all of February, the league finished the regular season with its highest KenPom rating since 2012. So, don’t be shocked if one of the four teams tipping off conference tournament action on Monday makes a tournament run.
All they have to do is catch fire from 3. That’s how you win games in tournament action and although it can be difficult for some teams, it’s not for those in the ASUN. The league enters the new month as the top 3-point shooting league in the country.
Let’s get this thing going!
Bracket
Schedule
Note: All times listed Eastern.
First Round (Monday, Feb. 27), ESPN+
Game 1: No. 10 FGCU vs. No. 9 Queens (@ Kennesaw State), 7 p.m.
Game 2: No. 8 Bellarmine vs. No. 7 North Florida (@ Liberty), 7 p.m.
Quarterfinals (Tuesday, Feb. 28), ESPN+
Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs. No. 1 Kennesaw State, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Game 2 Winner vs. No. 2 Liberty, 7 p.m.
Game 5: No. 6 North Alabama vs. No. 3 Eastern Kentucky, 7 p.m.
Game 6: No. 5 Lipscomb vs. No.4 Stetson, 7 p.m.
Semifinals (Thursday, March 2), ESPN+
Game 7: Lowest-Remaining Seed vs. Highest-Remaining Seed, TBD
Game 8: Second-Lowest Remaining Seed vs. Second-Highest Remaining Seed, TBD
Finals (Sunday, March 5), ESPN2
Game 9: Lowest-Remaining Seed vs. Highest-Remaining Seed, 3 p.m.
The Favorite
Liberty (24-7, 15-3): This Liberty team has the makings of a team that can make noise in not only conference tournament but the NCAA Tournament.
They’re led by three seniors, including one of the best 3-point shooters the program has ever seen … Darius McGhee. McGhee ranks first in the country in the percentage of shots taken, second in 3-pointers made and fifth in points per game.
Along with him, Shiloh Robinson and Blake Preston are two of the most efficient scoring big men in the country. They help lead a team who ranks 10th in the country in both effective field goal, and two-point percentage, along with being ranked 59th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency.
The Flames’ defense isn’t too bad either, allowing the lowest percentage of offensive rebounds in the country and ranking 39th in defensive efficiency.
The Darkhorse
Kennesaw State (23-8, 15-3): In 2020, the Owls didn’t qualify for the ASUN tournament with a 1-28 record. Three years later, they set a school record with 23 wins and have…
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