The ASUN Men’s Basketball Tournament begins Tuesday night, and, as tip-off gets closer, here’s a quick preview of each team entering the tournament this week:
#1 West Jacksonville State (20-9, 13-3)
The Gamecocks announced their presence into the ASUN this year by starting conference play 8-0, including a win at Liberty to stop the Flames’ 45-game home win streak. Jacksonville State hit a bit of a rough patch following that win, dropping three out of four, but they have recovered to win four straight entering the conference tournament. Coach Ray Harper has an experienced group and home court throughout the conference tournament.
KenPom gives Jacksonville State a 31.4% chance at winning the tournament.
Bart Torvik gives Jacksonville State a 23.5% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Jacksonville State a 36.01% chance at winning the tournament.
#1 East Liberty (21-10, 12-4)
The Flames will be looking for a fourth straight ASUN championship this week, and most metrics have Liberty as the favorite despite not being the top overall seed entering the tournament. Three-time defending champions and having the best player in the conference in Darius McGhee, don’t count out the Flames.
KenPom has Liberty as the favorite, but by a small margin, with a 38.2% chance at winning the tournament.
Bart Torvik gives Liberty a 49.2% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Liberty a 39.09% chance at winning the tournament.
#2 West Bellarmine (17-13, 11-5)
After finishing last season at 10-3 in conference play and ending up just one game behind Liberty in the regular season standings, the Knights have followed that up with another strong regular season showing as they finish in second place in the West Division behind Jacksonville State. Bellarmine will be looking for their first ASUN Tournament win, as they were upset by Stetson, 73-70, in the quarterfinals last season.
KenPom gives Bellarmine an 7.1% chance at winning the tournament.
Bart Torvik gives Bellarmine a 5.9% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Bellarmine a 16.76% chance at winning the tournament.
#2 East Jacksonville (19-9, 11-5)
An incredible turnaround and season by first year head coach Jordan Mincy and the Dolphins. They enter the conference tournament as one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 8 of their past 10 games. Jacksonville hasn’t won a conference tournament game since 2018, but they have a mostly new team this year and will be looking to make some noise in March
KenPom gives Jacksonville an 15.5% chance at winning the tournament.
Bart Torvik gives Jacksonville a 15.4% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Jacksonville a 10.7% chance at winning the tournament.
#3 West Central Arkansas (10-19, 7-9)
Central Arkansas has been able to remain in the top half of the conference standings despite having one of the worst computer resumes in the league. The Bears have alternated wins and losses in their past nine games, and will be looking to take care of business on their home floor Tuesday night.
KenPom gives Central Arkansas a 0.2% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives Central Arkansas a 0.3% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Central Arkansas a 0.09% chance at winning the tournament.
#3 East FGCU (20-10, 10-6)
FGCU had one of the best non-conference seasons of any team in the ASUN, but they limped to a 3-5 start in conference play. Many began to count them out at that time, but they have won seven out of eight entering this week’s tournament. Tavian Dunn-Martin and Kevin Samuel provide a dynamic inside and outside combo. The Eagles are the one team nobody wants to play this week.
KenPom gives FGCU a 4.3% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives FGCU a 3.4% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives FGCU a 4.28% chance at winning the tournament.
#4 West Lipscomb (13-18, 6-10)
The Bisons finish fourth in the West, but they have just a 6-10 conference record. Against the four teams with first round byes in the ASUN Tournament, Lipscomb was 0-6. Head coach Lennie Acuff has one of the most talented players in the conference in big man Ahsan Asadullah, who has the ability to take over a game at any time.
KenPom gives Lipscomb a 0.5% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives Lipscomb a 0.4% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Lipscomb a 0.31% chance at winning the tournament.
#4 East Kennesaw State (12-17, 7-9)
The Owls have the balance and talent to make some noise this season. This is the first year Kennesaw State has won more than 3 games in a conference play since 2018. Now, KSU will look to turn some of that regular season success into postseason, as they have not won a conference tournament game since 2017.
KenPom gives Kennesaw State a 1.8% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives Kennesaw State a 1.2% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Kennesaw State a 1.2% chance at winning the tournament.
#5 West Eastern Kentucky (13-17, 5-11)
Eastern Kentucky has been one of the biggest anomalies in the ASUN this season. Expected to compete at the top of the conference in their first year, the Colonels have struggled through inconsistent play as they have had injuries and COVID issues most of the season. If they can put it all together, EKU has the talent to be a tough out this week, but they haven’t been able to string together wins all conference season, only winning consecutive games in conference play once this year.
KenPom gives Eastern Kentucky a 0.4% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives Eastern Kentucky a 0.3% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Eastern Kentucky a 0.82% chance at winning the tournament.
#5 East North Florida (11-19, 7-9)
North Florida will be a trendy upset pick in the ASUN Tournament as they are one of the hottest teams in the conference. The Ospreys have won four out of their last five games and six out of their last eight. They started conference play 0-6 before turning things around. If they get hot from behind the arc, watch out.
KenPom gives North Florida a 0.4% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives North Florida a 0.3% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives North Florida a 0.43% chance at winning the tournament.
#6 West North Alabama (9-20, 2-14)
The Lions have not been able to get on track this season after advancing to the conference tournament final a year ago. North Alabama has lost eight straight games.
KenPom gives North Alabama a 0.07% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives North Alabama a 0.1% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives North Alabama a 0.07% chance at winning the tournament.
#6 East Stetson (11-18, 5-11)
Stetson has been one of the more disappointing teams in conference play this year. Yes, they have played without their best player Rob Perry throughout much of the conference season, but they still have some talent on the roster in guys like Chase Johnston, Christiaan Jones, and Mahamadou Diawara. The Hatters enter the conference tournament having lost five straight games.
KenPom gives Stetson a 0.2% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives Stetson a 3.5% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Stetson a 2.5% chance at winning the tournament.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
All games played on campus sites with the top seeds hosting each game.
MARCH 1 | FIRST ROUND
Game 1: #3W Central Arkansas vs #6E Stetson, 7 pm, ESPN+
Game 2: #4E Kennesaw State vs #5W Eastern Kentucky, 7 pm, ESPN+
Game 3: #3E FGCU vs #6W North Alabama, 7 pm, ESPN+
Game 4: #4W Lipscomb vs #5E North Florida, 8 pm, ESPN+
MARCH 3 | QUARTERFINALS
Game 5: #2E Jacksonville vs winner of Game 1, 7 pm, ESPN+
Game 6: #1W Jacksonville State vs winner of Game 2, 7 pm, ESPN+
Game 7: #2W Bellarmine vs winner of Game 3, 7 pm, ESPN+
Game 8: #1E Liberty vs winner of Game 4, 7pm, ESPN+
MARCH 5 | SEMIFINALS
Game 9: Highest remaining seed vs. lowest remaining seed, TBD ESPN+
Game 10: Second-highest remaining seed vs second-lowest remaining seed, TBD, ESPN+
MARCH 8 | CHAMPIONSHIP
5 pm, ESPN
