SWAC Men’s Tournament Preview
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Does Bethune-Cookman finally go dancing?
Bethune-Cookman went to overtime at Auburn on the season’s opening night and became the early favorite in the SWAC. The Wildcats have held steady and been the league’s best team all season. Can Reggie Theus’ group finish the job and go dancing? Here’s a little bit about each team ahead of tournament play beginning on Monday.
1. Bethune-Cookman (14-4, 17-14 overall)
The Wildcats rode an eight-game win streak early in the conference slate to establish themselves atop the league as they seek their inaugural ticket to the Dance. While ranking fourth in scoring offense and defense, they are first in field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks and are led by Jakobi Heady, a top-five scorer in the league.
2. Florida A&M (11-7, 14-15 overall)
FAMU enters tournament play on a four-game win streak, including a regular-season finale victory over top-seed Bethune-Cookman. Looking to get back to the Dance for the first time since 2006-07, the Rattlers will ride their third-ranked scoring defense.
3. Southern (11-7, 15-16 overall)
The league’s top scoring offense and leader in point differential went just 3-3 in its final six regular-season games. It went just 1-3 against the two teams above it, but Southern ranks top-five in field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks and can absolutely challenge for the auto-bid.
4. Texas Southern (10-8, 12-17)
It feels like Texas Southern wins this tournament every year, regardless of seed. This season, it posted a top-five offense and top-five marks in field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks. Troy Hupstead is the league’s top rebounder and the Tigers will once again look to contend.
5. Alabama A&M (10-8, 17-14 overall)
The Bulldogs will lean on their defense as they look for their second Tournament appearance and first-since 2004-05. PJ Eason will look to command the paint as the league’s fifth-ranked rebounder and second-ranked shot-blocker.
6. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (10-8, 13-18 overall)
The Golden Lions posted the league’s third-best scoring mark in the regular season but ranked just ninth defensively. Quion Williams and Jaquan Scott are second and third, respectively in rebounding, and Williams leads the league in assists.
7. Jackson State (10-8, 11-20 overall)
Daeshun Ruffin enters tournament play as the nation’s leading scorer, which obviously places him atop the SWAC. He is also second in the league in assists. The Tigers would need a lot to go right to make a surprise run, but if any lower seed has the player to lead a run, it’s them.
8. Prairie View A&M (9-9, 14-17 overall)
Tai’Reon Joseph and Dontae Horne average a combined 40 points, ranking third and fourth in the league individually, respectively. The Panthers boast the league’s second-ranked scoring offense and rank second in blocks. If the star duo gets hot, Prairie View has upset potential.
9. Grambling State (7-11, 13-18 overall)
The Tigers have been unable to capitalize on their top-ranked scoring defense, ranking 10th in scoring offense. Still, Grambling State can make a game ugly by leaning on that defense and won’t be a fun opponent, regardless of offensive shortcomings.
10. Alabama State (7-11, 10-21 overall)
The defending champion of this tournament ranks sixth in scoring offense, fifth in defense and leads the league in rebounding. It also possesses the league’s leading shot-blocker. The Hornets will look to flip the switch and recreate last season’s success.
11. Alcorn State (7-11, 8-22 overall)
Jameel Morris is leading the league in steals and just four of the 11 conference losses were by double digits. If the Braves can be as competitive as they were in most of their league losses, maybe they can find some March magic.
12. Mississippi Valley State (2-16, 3-29 overall)
The Delta Devils grabbed two SWAC wins late, by a combined two points after losing 25-consecutive games. Michael James is top-15 nationally in scoring and one of the best college basketball social media accounts belongs to Mississippi Valley State, but a run feels near impossible.
