Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Sun Belt ranks dead last in the country in blowout percentage and is fourth in close game percentage, meaning this league is as competitive as it gets.
Texas State, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, and Louisiana all earned byes to the quarterfinals, but there were four other teams fighting for those in the final weekend, not including unanimous preseason favorite Little Rock.
There’s talent up and down the board in this league, so expect the close games to continue, and some great March action in Pensacola.
Bracket
Schedule:
First Round (Fri., Mar. 5), ESPN+
Thomas, Roberts lift Georgia State past South Alabama 82-73
February 28, 2021 GMT
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) Jalen Thomas and Justin Roberts scored 16 points apiece as Georgia State defeated South Alabama 82-73 on Saturday night.
Corey Allen added 15 points and Kane Williams had 13 points for Georgia State (14-5, 8-4 Sun Belt Conference), which won its sixth straight game.
John Pettway scored a career-high 30 points for the Jaguars (16-10, 10-7). Jamal West added 14 points, Michael Flowers had 12 points and six rebounds. Tyreke Locure, whose 14 points per game entering the contest ranked second on the Jaguars, shot only 14% in the game (1 of 7).
The Panthers improve to 2-1 against the Jaguars for the season. In the most recent matchup, Georgia State defeated South Alabama 84-81 last Friday.
Thomas, Roberts lift Georgia State past South Alabama 82-73 inquirer.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from inquirer.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Ga. State looks for road win vs S. Alabama
February 27, 2021 GMT
Mitchell Center, Mobile, Alabama; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Georgia State looks for its third straight win over South Alabama at Mitchell Center. South Alabama’s last win at home against the Panthers came on Dec. 29, 2017.
SAVVY VETERANS: Both of these teams have relied heavily on their seniors this year. Michael Flowers, Kayo Goncalves and John Pettway have collectively scored 55 percent of South Alabama’s points this season and 65 percent of the team’s points over its last five games. For Georgia State, Corey Allen, Eliel Nsoseme and Kane Williams have combined to account for 47 percent of the team’s total scoring, including 51 percent of all Panthers points over their last five.