The 2023 Sun Belt conference tournament should be a very, underrated tournament. There is no clear cut favorite to win this tournament and I can see four to five teams that could secure the title. Last year’s winner was Georgia State who finished at the bottom of the Sun Belt this season. The five teams that have a chance to win this are Marshall, Louisiana, James Madison, Old Dominion and Troy. Let’s take a look at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament teams.
Betting Odds
Marshall +200
Louisiana +360
James Madison +380
Southern Mississippi +450
South Alabama +850
Troy +1600
Old Dominion +3000
Appalachian State +4500
Georgia Southern +5000
Texas State +15000
Louisiana-Monroe +25000
Coastal Carolina +30000
Georiga State +50000
Arkansas State +50000
Will the Thundering Herd Be Thundering?
The Marshall Thundering Herd have been a good team all season long. However, their lack of depth could be the downfall of this team. Marshall is led by two guards who average more than 20 points per game. Fifth year senior guard Taevion Kinsey (Sun Belt Player of the Year) averaged 22.2 points per game (7th in the nation) and junior guard Andrew Taylor averages 20.2 points per game (t-22nd in the nation). Without these two guards, a lot of scoring does not happen.
This team only goes six to seven deep. They have six guys who play 20 or more minutes which could become an issue if foul trouble is to occur. Also, if their duo is having an off shooting night, who is going to pick up the slack ? A lot of questions and not a lot of answers. I don’t see the Thundering Herd thundering their way to the NCAA tournament.
Buy In On The Regular Season Champions?
The regular season champions were the Southern Miss Golden Eagles who won their first ever Sun Belt regular season title. The Golden Eagles are trying to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012. They have a Sun Belt first team guard in Austin Crowley, who also won newcomer of the year in the Sun Belt. Crowley averages 16.2 points per game and the junior guard is the heart and sole of this team.
Southern Mississippi, just like Marshall, isn’t deep either. This team runs six to seven guys and if Crowley isn’t going who will step up for them? They have forwards Felipe Haase (15.2 PPG and 6.1 RPG) and DeAndre Pickney (13.2 PPG and 6.7 RPG). The Golden Eagles average just under 75 points per game, and their defense this season was a big reason why they won the regular season title. Southern Miss gives up 65 points per game and that is good enough for a +9 point differential per game.
The path for the Golden Eagles won’t be. They play in the quarterfinals against either South Alabama or Appalachian State. South Alabama beat Southern Miss by 31 in their last meeting and they beat Appalachian State by six in their only meetings this year. If they get by them, they get either Troy or James Madison. Then, a potential final against Louisiana Lafayette or Marshall. It doesn’t look like the Golden Eagles will be dancing in the NCAA tournament.
Who’s Going To Win The Tournament
The winner of this tournament will be none other than Louisiana +360. They are deep and I think all Sun Belt first team forward Jordan Brown is going to carry this team to the NCAA Tournament. Brown played at Nevada and Arizona before transferring to Louisiana and I think he is going to be the player of the tournament. The Ragin’ Cajuns average just under 80 points per game and they beat Marshall and split with Southern Miss this season. This is the team heading to the big dance once the Sun Belt tournament is all said and done.
The Don’s Game By Game Predictions
First Round
13 Arkansas State over 12 Coastal Carolina
11 Texas State over 14 Georgia State
Second Round
8 South Alabama over 9 Appalachian State
5 Troy over 13 Arkansas State
6 Old Dominion over 11 Texas State
7 Georgia Southern over 10 UL-Monroe
QuarterFinals
8 South Alabama over 1 Southern Miss
4 James Madison over 5 Troy
3 Marshall over 6 Old Dominion
2 Louisiana over 7 Georgia Southern
Semifinals
4 James Madison over 8 South Alabama
2 Louisiana over 3 Marshall
Finals
2 Louisiana over 4 James Madison