CBB: SWAC Conference Tournament Preview

Favorites (odds below +500)

Southern Jaguars (+290): Southern has periods where they get cold but generally this has been one of the best teams in the conference. The Jaguars picked up some notable non-conference wins beating Mississippi State and UNLV. Consistency is their biggest issues, they could roll through this whole thing or lose immediately.

Alcorn State Braves (+400): Alcorn State’s record doesn’t shine but that’s because they didn’t play a D1 opponent at home until JANUARY 20TH!! These teams go up against some insane schedules. Alcorn State is the hottest team in the conference, however, they come into the conference tournament on a 9 game win streak.

Texas Southern Tigers (+420): Texas Southern is another program that routinely faces a brutal OOC schedule. This year the Tigers didn’t have their home opener until December 21st and started the year 0-8. As always the Tigers have proven competitive in SWAC play, and now it’s their season. If you know anything about this tournament you know that Texas Southern is good to go on a run.

Grambling Tigers (+480): Grambling really turned it on in conference play, only losing 4 conference games on their way to the regular season title. So why is the 1 seed the 4th best odds?? That’s because Grambling has never made the tournament before, is this the year they get over the hump?

Sleepers (+500 or above)

Jackson State Tigers (+600): Jackson State didn’t play a home game until December 17th but this team was actually very competitive in non-conference play. They beat Missouri, Arkansas State and nearly took down Georgetown too. The Tigers found themselves in a tight mid pack in conference play and ended the season strong winning 7 of their last 9.

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (+1100): Bethune-Cookman is having a good season too, they have a winning record and finished in the thick of the race also. The Wildcats come into the conference tournament with as favorable of a draw as possible. Yes, Southern is the favorite but the Wildcats swept them in the regular season. I really could see Bethune-Cookman going on a surprise run to the conference championship game.

My Pick:

Texas Southern Tigers (+420): This tournament belongs to Texas Southern pretty much every year. On occasion a team rises up and stops them, but every year Texas Southern is your best bet. Especially at this number