CBB: Southland Conference Tournament Preview

Favorites (odds below +500)

McNeese State Cowboys (-430): Say what you want about Will “strong ass offer” Wade but the man can coach. McNeese State is having all all-time season for their program, in one season they have transformed into a team that could make noise if they made the tournament. First, they have business to take care of. There’s been some close calls but the Cowboys nearly came out of Southland play unscathed, only losing one game by 3 to SE Louisiana. They won at VCU & Michigan this year and never were out of any game they played. Can they finish the job?

Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders (+420): The Islanders season has very much gone under the radar thanks to what’s going on in Lake Charles. They won 21 games and gave McNeese State a tough test both times they played. Texas A&M CC also comes in hot winning their last 7 games.

Sleepers (+500 or above)

Nicholls State Colonels (+2700): Nicholls State has a very solid team. They caught headlines early in the season when they beat LSU, and they nearly beat Maryland as well. They can easily turn it around to contend but they’ve generally stayed in their lane all season. Going 1-5 against the other top 4 seeds in the conference and undefeated against everyone else.

Lamar Cardinals (+2000): Lamar has been solid all season. They haven’t won against either of the top 2 seeds but they came very close to upsetting McNeese recently. They could get another shot at them.

SE Louisiana Lions (+8500): Want a real crazy longshot? How about the only team in the Southland to beat McNeese State this year? The Lions played a tough non-conference schedule and it carried to a rough start to conference play. They finished the season strong however.

My Pick:

Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders (+420): Bold prediction and March heartbreak! McNeese has dealt with this entire conference gunning for them and generally handled it but they have cut it close a few times. They get upset during the tournament which clears the way for the Islanders to make the tournament.