HoopsHD continues its series leading up to Selection Sunday and March Madness, as we simulate what would have happened in TTTW (The Tournament That Wasn’t). Up next is the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The Little Rock Trojans were one of the biggest surprises of the college basketball season when then went from 23 losses last year and a preseason pick to finish near the bottom of the conference again to winning 21 games and taking the Sun Belt regular season title by two games over Texas State and South Alabama. The Trojans were still two wins away, however, from a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Would they get those W’s? It is time to find out!
SUN BELT SEMIFINALS
Despite being picked by many to finish near the bottom of the Sun Belt standings this season, the Little Rock Trojans surprised the entire conference by just finding ways to win games all year long. The Trojans finished 15-5 in conference play and won the league by 2 games, getting a bye into the conference semifinals in New Orleans where they began their run at an NCAA bid by taking on 5-seed Georgia Southern. Little Rock’s run also ended in the first game, as the Eagles turned a close game at the half into a 15-point blowout by the final buzzer, winning 91-76 behind 18 points from Quan Jackson and 14 form Ike Smith. Little Rock’s season would continue, but in the NIT and not the NCAA Tournament.
In the second semifinal, 2-seed South Alabama took on 3-seed Texas State. The Texas State Bobcats had come on strong late in the season and were a popular choice heading into the Sun Belt tourney in New Orleans to cut down the nets. The Bobcats played like that team in this night’s game, building a halftime lead and extending it out in the second to defeat the Jaguars 71-61. Isiah Small had a double-double for the victors with 13 points and 12 rebounds. After a pair of upsets (in terms of seeds at least), the Sun Belt was set for a battle of the 3-seed versus the 5-seed in Sunday afternoon’s championship game.
SUN BELT CHAMPIONSHIP
Georgia Southern’s last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 1992. Texas State’s was in 1997. One of those teams was going to have their streak end on Selection Sunday when the two teams met in the Sun Belt championship game in New Orleans. The Eagles came out on fire in the first half, building a 14-point halftime lead. The Bobcats were not done, however, as they spent the entire second half fighting to get back into the game. Unfortunately for Texas State, time ran out before they were able to catch the Eagles, and Georgia Southern’s 28-year absence from the Big Dance had ended with a 72-67 win. Quan Jackson was the star for the Eagles, scoring 19 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
