SIGN UP: Get the best player prop and game betting projections at BetAlytics. Use code "JUICE" for a special promo rate.
It all comes down to this. The emotions of Championship Week are unrivaled. Who doesn’t love the blood, sweat and buzzer beaters? Attempting to peg who will represent their league in the Big Dance, the Big Noise gives his conference tournament leans. Merry March Madness!
The pick — Arkansas State to win Sun Belt Tournament (+200, BetMGM)
South Alabama, Troy and hard-charging James Madison will push the Red Wolves for the automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
However, this bettor believes they’ll eventually howl loudly in celebration.
At No. 92 nationally in BartTorvik’s BARTHAG over the regular season’s last month, Arkansas State enters the Sun Belt Tournament statistically attractive. Featuring an often suffocating defense, it ranked No. 47 in effective field goal percentage D and surrendered an unbudging 45.5% on 2-pointers.
[ Bracket Big Board: Brad Evans' latest NCAA Tournament projections ]
The Red Wolves’ around-the-tin denials are why they are one of the best mid-major clubs in near-proximity defense, according to Haslametrics. When matched with their relentless energy waxing the glass — they tuck inside the top 50 nationally in offensive rebounding and defensive rebounding since February 1 — they possess the goods to conquer.
Not to be overlooked, starting center Izaiyah Nelson is on absolute tear. In his last five games before the Sun Belt tourney, he averaged a ridiculous 18.2 points, 17.4 rebounds (!!!) and 2.6 blocks per game. The 6-foot-10 junior also shot an unreal 61.7% from the floor. Possessed.
Last December, Arkansas State knocked off then-No. 16 Memphis in a non-conference 85-72 road victory. Bryan Hodgson’s uptempo team has the characteristics of a Cinderella, if it pounds in Pensacola.