2017 Championship Week Primer: Southland

The Southland conference has been dominated by Stephen F. Austin for the past few years. The Lumberjacks were so good that their success carried over the NCAA Tournament, where they upstaged #5 VCU in 2014, #3 West Virginia in 2016 and had it not been for a tip in shot by #6 Notre Dame, would have made the Sweet Sixteen last year as well. 

 

Stephen F. Austin's coach Brad Underwood left for Oklahoma State this year, however, and the Lumberjacks fell from the top perch. New Orleans won the conference this year by a game over a three way tie between the Lumberjacks, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and Houston Baptist. New Orleans is projected as a solid 16 seed, probably to a First Four game as well should they win this tournament. 

 

The top eight teams made the tournament out of a conference of 14 teams. The top two seeds received a double bye to the semifinals and the third and fourth seed received a bye to the quarterfinals. The tournament will take place in the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas. 

 

First Round-Wednesday, March 8th 

#8 Central Arkansas vs. #5 Sam Houston State 

#7 Southeastern Louisiana vs. #6 Lamar 

 

Quarterfinals-Thursday, March 9th 

#5 Sam Houston State vs. #4 Houston Baptist

#6 Lamar vs. #3 Stephen F. Austin

 

Semifinals-Friday, March 10th 

#4 Houston Baptist vs. #1 New Orleans

#3 Stephen F. Austin vs. #2 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

 

Championship-Saturday, March 11th 

Stephen F. Austin has won this conference tournament for three years ago coming into this game. Brad Underwood may be gone, but the players still have experience winning games in succession to make the NCAA Tournament. I don't know if the Lumberjacks will be able to spring another upset, but they will still make the field. 

 

Houston Baptist 59, Stephen F. Austin 64