The ASUN Men’s Basketball Tournament begins Monday night with two first round games before the quarterfinals tip-off Tuesday. Here’s a quick preview of each team entering the tournament this week:
#1 Kennesaw State (23-8, 15-3)
The Owls were the surprise of the ASUN regular season this year. Under head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, Kennesaw State has grown from one of the worst teams not just in the conference but in the entire country to competing for and winning a share of the ASUN regular season title. Now, Kennesaw State will have to win three straight games under immense pressure to get to the NCAA Tournament. How will the veteran team respond?
KenPom gives Kennesaw State an 18.9% chance at winning the tournament.
Bart Torvik gives Kennesaw State a 26.4% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Kennesaw State a 21.08% chance at winning the tournament.
#2 Liberty (24-7, 15-3)
The Flames will be looking to end their reign in the ASUN the same place it began – as a champion. Liberty has won at least a share of the regular season in four of the five seasons in the conference and saw a streak of three-straight tournament titles come to an end last year in the semifinals. One of the best players in program history, Darius McGhee, came back for his final season of eligibility to have this opportunity to try and lead his team to the Big Dance for a fourth time during his career.
KenPom has Liberty as the favorite with a 63.1% chance at winning the tournament.
Bart Torvik gives Liberty a 63% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Liberty a 62.42% chance at winning the tournament.
#3 Eastern Kentucky (19-12, 12-6)
The Colonels had a disappointing season last year, their first in the ASUN, but they bounced back in a big way this year. Eastern Kentucky was in contention for the top spot in the regular season until late in the year and was able to earn the No. 3 seed. EKU will be a tough out for any team they face this week.
KenPom gives Eastern Kentucky an 4.6% chance at winning the tournament.
Bart Torvik gives Eastern Kentucky a 4.7% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Eastern Kentucky a 5.81% chance at winning the tournament.
#4 Stetson (17-12, 12-6)
Not much was expected out of the Hatters this season with a revamped roster, but they were able to get things going once conference play began. Stetson had won 6 out of 7 games before their regular season finale loss to Lipscomb in overtime.
KenPom gives Stetson an 6.6% chance at winning the tournament.
Bart Torvik gives Stetson a 3.4% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Stetson a 4.33% chance at winning the tournament.
#5 Lipscomb (19-12, 11-7)
The Bisons were just 1-3 after the first two weeks of league play this season, but they responded with a 10-4 mark to close out the regular season. Lipscomb has always been a tough out in the conference tournament over the past several seasons, and they will be looking to rekindle some of that postseason magic this week.
KenPom gives Lipscomb a 3.5% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives Lipscomb a 1.6% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Lipscomb a 3.51% chance at winning the tournament.
#6 North Alabama (18-13, 10-8)
North Alabama started ASUN play at 1-5 but then won 10 out of 11 games to get into the mix for a home game in the ASUN Tournament. Those chances came to an end as the Lions lost their final two regular season games of the season, both on their home floor. Can North Alabama make a run to the conference championship in their first year eligible for the NCAA Tournament?
KenPom gives North Alabama a 1.0% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives North Alabama a 0.5% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings North Alabama a 0.63% chance at winning the tournament.
#7 North Florida (14-16, 9-9)
The Ospreys are playing their best basketball at the end of the season, going 6-2 in their last 8 games. North Florida will now play against Bellarmine at Liberty Arena on Monday night with the winner advancing to play Liberty in the quarterfinals. The Ospreys and Knights met in the regular season finale in Jacksonville, with UNF besting Bellarmine, 79-67.
KenPom gives North Florida a 0.5% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives North Florida a 0.2% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives North Florida a 0.46% chance at winning the tournament.
#8 Bellarmine (14-17, 9-9)
The Knights did what they needed to do to get into the conference tournament this season where they will be looking to defend their title from a season ago. Their path will begin where they made some history last year at Liberty Arena by ending the Flames’ streak of three straight ASUN championships.
KenPom gives Bellarmine a 0.2% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives Bellarmine a 0.0% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Bellarmine a 0.22% chance at winning the tournament.
#9 Queens (17-14, 7-11)
In their first year in the ASUN after moving up from Division II, Queens has proven they can be a competitive program in the conference and at the Division I level. With a win Monday over FGCU in the first round, the Royals will have a rematch with the No. 1 seed Kennesaw State at the KSU Convocation Center. Of course, Queens picked up the upset over the Owls just over a week ago.
KenPom gives Queens a 0.5% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives Queens a 0.0% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives Queens a 0.6% chance at winning the tournament.
#10 FGCU (17-14, 7-11)
The Eagles are an interesting case this week. They snuck their way into the conference tournament on the final day of the regular season and are the lowest seeded team in the tournament this week. But don’t think FGCU will be an easy win. They have the talent to make a run. Many expected FGCU to compete at the top of the league this year, especially after their strong non-conference performance.
KenPom gives FGCU a 1.2% chance at winning the championship.
Bart Torvik gives FGCU a 0.2% chance at winning the tournament.
Team Rankings gives FGCU a 0.94% chance at winning the tournament.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
All games played on campus sites with the top seeds hosting each game unless otherwise noted.
FEBRUARY 27 | FIRST ROUND
Game 1: #9 Queens vs #10 FGCU, 7 pm, ESPN+, played at KSU Convocation Center
Game 2: #7 North Florida vs #8 Bellarmine, 7 pm, ESPN+, played at Liberty Arena
FEBRUARY 28 | QUARTERFINALS
Game 3: #1 Kennesaw State vs winner of Game 1, 7 pm, ESPN+
Game 4: #2 Liberty vs winner of Game 2, 7 pm, ESPN+
Game 5: #3 Eastern Kentucky vs #6 North Alabama, 7 pm, ESPN+
Game 6: #4 Stetson vs #5 Lipscomb, 7pm, ESPN+
MARCH 2 | SEMIFINALS
Game 7: Highest remaining seed vs. lowest remaining seed, TBD ESPN+
Game 8: Second-highest remaining seed vs second-lowest remaining seed, TBD, ESPN+
MARCH 5 | CHAMPIONSHIP
3 pm, ESPN 2
