Welcome to the second of a three-part series where we give you a look at all minor NCAA Division 1 conference tournaments.
Conference tournament season is finally upon us, and around 300 teams beginning in late February will battle it out for spots in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. This battle is even steeper for teams in 21 “low-major” conferences, as the tournament champ will almost certainly be that conference’s only representative in March Madness. The talent is still prevalent on these low-major teams however, and we’ve seen squads like 2018 UMBC, 2012 Norfolk St, and 2013 Florida Gulf Coast knock off some of the nation’s best. We’re getting closer and closer to March Madness a.k.a. the best days of the year, and this post should be your one-stop shop when it comes to our second batch of low-major conference tourneys.
*By The Numbers + Sleeper Team made with help from heatcheckcbb.com’s conference tourney previews.
Sun Belt
March 5-March 8
Pensacola
Last 3 Winners
Troy (2017), Georgia State (2018), Georgia State (2019)
3 Stars
Michael Flowers (South Alabama)- 6’1/189 SR, 20.8 PPG (1st in Sun Belt)
Ruot Monyyong (Little Rock)- 6’10/190 SR, 11.7 PPG/11 RPG (2nd in Sun Belt)/1.5 BPG (3rd in Sun Belt)/.571 FG% (4th in Sun Belt)
Caleb Asberry (Texas St)- 6’3/170 JR, 13.2 PPG
By the Numbers
23.3– Texas State ranks 14th nationally in turnover rate, forcing their opponents to turn it over on 23.3% of their possessions. The Bobcats are a very unique team, as they suffocate you on defense and play a very slow, yet efficient offense. Think of them as Virginia Jr.
Sleeper Team
#3E South Alabama- This team is a sleeper due to their star guard Michael Flowers, the best player in this conference. Their offense isn’t one-dimensional however, with three other players averaging double-digit scoring.
My Prediction
1E Georgia St over 2E Coastal Carolina
West Coast
March 4-March 9
Las Vegas
Last 3 Winners
Gonzaga (2018), Saint Mary’s (2019), Gonzaga (2020)
3 Stars
Alex Barcello (BYU)- 6’2/180 SR, 15.7 PPG/4.6 APG (3rd in WCC)
Drew Timme (Gonzaga)- 6’10/235 SO, 18.9 PPG (2nd in WCC)/7.1 RPG (3rd in WCC)/.651 FG% (1st in WCC)
Colbey Ross (Pepperdine)- 6’1/180 SR, 18 PPG (4th in WCC)/7.5 APG (5th in NCAA)
By the Numbers
49– Gonzaga has never shot below 49% from the floor in a game this season. Yet another stat to let you know this team is good.
Sleeper Team
#8 San Francisco- I really don’t see a dark horse in this tournament, but if there is one, San Francisco does have a good backcourt along with the best chance to match Gonzaga and BYU’s offensive pace. Also, don’t forget they did knock off Virginia early in the year.
My Prediction
1 Gonzaga over 2 BYU
Patriot
March 3-March 14
Campus Sites
Last 3 Winners
Bucknell (2018), Colgate (2019), Boston (2020)
3 Stars
Santi Aldama (Loyola MD)- 6’11/215 SO, 21.4 PPG (10th in NCAA)/10.1 RPG (1st in Patriot)/1.9 BPG (1st in Patriot)
Justin Jaworski (Lafayette)- 6’3/196 SR, 21 PPG (2nd in Patriot)/1.6 SPG (5th in Patriot)
Austin Butler (Holy Cross)- 6’5/212 SR, 16.1 PPG/8.7 RPG (2nd in Patriot)
By the Numbers
20– Colgate is the only team in the country that ranks in the top 20 nationally in tempo, effective field goal percentage, and offensive turnover rate. This is a fast, efficient offense that can wow some people if they make it to the Big Dance. Something to remember when you’re figuring out your upset picks later this month.
Sleeper Team
#4 Army- According to sports-reference.com, Army’s current team is the best the Black Knights have had since 1968, when a guy named Bob Knight was their coach. Coached by Jimmy Allen and with some good Patriot scorers, this could be the year that Army makes it to the tournament for the first time.
My Prediction
1 Navy over 7 Boston
Summit
March 6-March 9
Sioux Falls
Last 3 Winners
South Dakota State (2018), North Dakota State (2019), North Dakota State (2020)
3 Stars
Baylor Scheierman (South Dakota State)- 6’6/180 SO, 14.7 PPG/9.1 RPG (2nd in Summit)/3.7 APG (3rd in Summit)
Stanley Umude (South Dakota)- 6’6/210 SR, 21.4 PPG (2nd in Summit)
Filip Rebraca (North Dakota)- 6’9/222 JR, 17.2 PPG/7.5 RPG (4th in Summit)
By the Numbers
37.5– The Summit is a sharpshooting conference. This year, the conference combined shot 37.5% from three, leading all conferences in three-point percentage for the fourth time in six years. If you like threes, tune in to some Summit basketball.
Sleeper Team
#4 Oral Roberts- Max Abmas. That is all. Who is Max Abmas, you ask? Oh, only one of the most underrated players in the country. He leads the entire NCAA in scoring averaging 24.7 PPG, and is fifth in the country in three-point percentage, going 46.1% from deep. Abmas can certainly lead this team to a Summit title.
My Prediction
1 South Dakota State over 3 North Dakota State
NEC
March 6-March 9
Campus Sites
Last 3 Winners
Long Island (2018), Fairleigh Dickinson (2019), Robert Morris (2020)
3 Stars
Damian Chong Qui (Mount St. Mary’s)- 5’8/155 JR, 14.9 PPG/5.6 APG (1st in NEC)
Peter Kiss (Bryant)- 6’5/200 JR, 17 PPG (5th in NEC)/2 SPG (1st in NEC)
Ramiir Dixon-Conover (St. Francis PA)- 6’3/185 SR, 15.5 PPG/4.4 APG (2nd in NEC)/1.9 SPG (2nd in NEC)
By the Numbers
27– The NEC as a conference has played 27 Round of 64 matchups in its history. It has lost all 27, with only three staying in single digits. Could this be the year the streak ends?
Sleeper Team
#4 Mount St. Mary’s- With arguably the conference’s best player in Damian Chong Qui, Mount St. Mary’s has a definite chance to take the NEC’s bid to the Big Dance. While their offense has its struggles, they have a solid defense and could win some low-scoring affairs.
My Prediction
1 Wagner over 2 Bryant
MAC
March 11-March 13
Cleveland
Last 3 Winners
Kent State (2017), Buffalo (2018), Buffalo (2019)
3 Stars
Marreon Jackson (Toledo)- 6’1/200 SR, 17.6 PPG (5th in MAC)/6.1 APG (3rd in MAC)/1.9 SPG (3rd in MAC)
Justin Turner (Bowling Green)- 6’4/205 SR, 19.9 PPG (2nd in MAC)/4.5 APG (4th in MAC)
Josh Mballa (Buffalo)- 6’7/220 JR, 15.1 PPG/9.9 RPG (1st in MAC)/1.7 SPG (4th in MAC)
By the Numbers
100– Six of the MAC’s 12 teams rank in the top 100 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency. This is a league that can score the ball, with thirteen players averaging over 15 PPG. If you like offense, then MACtion may be worth checking out.
Sleeper Team
#6 Bowling Green- The Falcons, led by one of the conference’s best in senior guard Justin Turner, could make some noise in the MAC tourney this year. They hold a 14-point season opening loss to Michigan, along with wins over both Toledo and Buffalo, the conference’s top two seeds.
My Prediction
2 Buffalo over 8 Ball State
MAAC
March 8-March 13
Atlantic City
Last 3 Winners
Iona (2017), Iona (2018), Iona (2019)
3 Stars
KC Ndefo (Saint Peter’s)- 6’7/195 JR, 13.6 PPG/3.7 BPG (1st in NCAA)
Jalen Pickett (Siena)- 6’4/202 JR, 12.8 PPG/4.8 APG (1st in MAAC)
Deion Hammond (Monmouth)- 6’4/200 SR, 17.2 PPG (2nd in MAAC)
By the Numbers
30– Unlike its fellow conference with one fewer A, the MAAC is not known for its offense. It’s ranked 30th of 31 conferences this year in both two and three point percentage. If you do not like offense, then MAACtion may be worth checking out.
Sleeper Team
#9 Iona- This team is the prototype for sleeper teams. Despite their 9 seed, the Gaels are the #2 rated MAAC team in KenPom. Additionally, they have one of the conference’s best players in guard Isaiah Ross. Additionally, they’ve won the MAAC Tournament four years in a row. Additionally, they’re led by national title-winning coach Rick Pitino. Yeah, Iona’s the sleeper.
My Prediction
11 Rider over 1 Siena
