In recent years, the Atlantic Sun has made some waves in the NCAA Tournament. Two of these occurrences were due to the efforts of this year's conference champion, Florida Gulf Coast. The Eagles went to the Sweet Sixteen as a 15 seed in 2013, which is still the only time a 15 seed has advanced that far. Florida Gulf Coast also went to the NCAA Tournament in 2016, though this time as a 16 seed. They trailed 1 seed North Carolina by a point at the half before falling behind during the second half.
As it stands, Florida Gulf Coast has been trending between mostly a 14 or a 15 seed in bracket projections this year. They would still need to win the Atlantic Sun tournament to advance to the NCAA Tournament though as the conference is a one bid league.
All eight teams are allowed to participate in the tournament and can potentially advance to the NCAA Tournament. All games will be on campus sites at the higher seed.
Quarterfinals-Monday, February 27th
#8 Stetson at #1 Florida Gulf Coast
#5 Kennesaw State at #4 USC Upstate
#6 Jacksonville at #3 North Florida
#7 NJIT at #2 Lipscomb
Semifinals-Thursday, March 2nd
#5 Kennesaw State at #1 Florida Gulf Coast
#3 North Florida at #2 Lipscomb
Championship-Sunday, March 5th
In a strange situation last year, North Florida won the regular season title but lost in the tournament to Florida Gulf Coast. The Eagles then played Stetson, who was ineligible for the NCAA Tournament. If Stetson had won, North Florida would have gone to the NCAA Tournament. As it was, Florida Gulf Coast beat Stetson and advanced instead.
This year, Florida Gulf Coast beat the Ospreys twice, once in a close game 86-82 at North Florida and then in more convincing fashion 74-59 in Fort Myers. The key for Florida Gulf Coast will be to contain Dallas Moore, the top scorer and assists leader for North Florida. In the close game, Moore scored 29 points and was held to just 17 points in the game that the Eagles won more handily. If they do this, and I expect them to, Florida Gulf Coast will go the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five years.
North Florida 62, Florida Gulf Coast 72
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