CBB: Sun Belt Conference Tournament Preview

Favorites (odds below +500)

James Madison Dukes (+140): James Madison is well known for getting this season started off with a bang when they went to East Lansing and beat Michigan State. The Dukes spent a lot of time in the Top 25 and only lost 3 games all season one upset to Southern Miss and the other 2 to Appalachian State (who will be mentioned in a second). Put the Dukes in the tournament you cowards!! Seriously if they do make the tournament, this will be a fun team to see.

Appalachian State Mountaineers (+210): App State won the regular season championship by virtue of only losing 2 conference games and sweeping JMU. Appalachian State got an opportunity most Sun Belt programs never get when they hosted Auburn, they made the most of it too when they took down the Tigers and showed what they can do. Appalachian State is led by a stingy defense and they too could be a fun team to watch if they make the tournament.

Sleepers (+500 or above)

Troy Trojans (+600): Troy doesn’t come with as impressive of a record as App State or JMU but the Trojans have a tough team. They’ve been competitive in almost all their losses this season but it also shows their flaw has been winning those close games. The Trojans only had one total matchup against JMU/App State but it was a win over App State. This is the team with a best shot to upset the balance of the conference.

Arkansas State Red Wolves (+1000): Arkansas State is a real longshot but the Red Wolves have gotten hot at the right time winning 8 of their last 10 and the 2 losses were to JMU/App State. If things break right you never know.

Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (+1000): Louisiana struggled down the stretch prior to a win on Friday. The Ragin Cajuns briefly got hot from Mid Jan – early Feb winning 7 in a row during that time. Don’t forget this is the team that won the Sun Belt tournament last year so there’s experience winning on this stage.

My Pick:

James Madison Dukes (+140): Appalachian State swept the Dukes in the regular season, and won the regular season title but James Madison is the favorite? Why? Beating a very good team twice is difficult and Appalachian State accomplished that, but beating them 3 times?? That’s even tougher. I suspect the 3rd time will be the charm for the Dukes.