A couple weeks ago, we took a look at the race for the ASUN regular season title as we reached the midway point of the conference season. At that point, there were five teams within one game of first place. Now, with just two weeks remaining in the regular season, teams have separated and only Liberty and Bellarmine have realistic chances at the regular season title.

Here’s an updated look at the ASUN men’s basketball standings this week:

With the conference deciding to move the entire tournament to Jacksonville as opposed to being played on campus sites with the higher seed hosting, the regular season title may not seem as important as in year’s past, but there are still several reasons why team’s will be doing everything they can to earn that 1-seed going into the ASUN Tourney.

First, these teams are playing for a championship. No other incentives needed. Win the regular season title, get bragging rights, rings, and everything else that comes with being a champion. Secondly, it helps with seeding in the conference tournament. With 9 teams all eligible to play in the tournament, the 1-seed will have the advantage of being able to play the winner of the 8-9 play-in game on full rest.

Additionally, if the NIT is played, which all indications at this time point to that being the case, the regular season champion typically gets an automatic bid to the NIT if knocked off in the conference tournament. Not the ideal goal of these teams, but not a bad consolation prize either.

In a strange season, there’s always the possibility the conference tournament gets scrapped at the last minute due to COVID-19 concerns, and the ASUN could award its automatic bid to the Big Dance to the regular season champ. While the conference will do everything in its power to ensure the conference tourney is played, stranger things have happened over the past year.

With that being said, here’s a look at the path for Liberty and Bellarmine the next two weeks. Lipscomb has a very slight chance at All dates for games to be played are tentative and likely to change. All regular season title odds are according to TeamRankings.

BELLARMINE (10-2)

The newest member of the ASUN and Division I, Bellarmine has immediately staked their claim to be taken seriously in the conference title race. After dropping their first ever ASUN games at home to Lipscomb in a series sweep, the Knights have strung together 10 straight wins, including six on the road, as they have swept FGCU, Stetson, Kennesaw State, Jacksonville, and Norht Alabama. Doing so, Bellarmine has a legitimate shot at a Division I regular season title in their first season competing at the highest level.

Here’s a look at the Knights’ remaining schedule:

  • @ North Florida – Feb. 19, 20
  • vs Liberty – Feb. 26, 27

Could the final regular season series between the Flames and the Knights be for all the marbles? It’s looking that way.

REGULAR SEASON TITLE ODDS: 29.6% (up from 14.9% two weeks ago)

LIBERTY (8-2)

The Flames, despite not having to shut down so far this season due to COVID, will not be able to get all 16 conference games played. That’s something that could hurt Liberty in its quest for a regular season title, but it could also prove beneficial, depending on how this week’s games are decided. The regular season title will be decided based on winning percentage, so if the Flames and Knights finish 11-3 and 13-3, respectively, then Bellarmine would be awarded as the regular season champ. So, Liberty must finish ahead of Bellarmine in the loss column. The Flames can do that by winning its final four conference games or going 3-1 while the Knights finish 2-2.

Here’s a look at the Flames’ remaining schedule:

  • vs North Alabama – Feb. 19, 20
  • @ Bellarmine – Feb. 26, 27

REGULAR SEASON TITLE ODDS: 70.1% (down from 72.2% two weeks ago)