The Atlantic Sun conference is always a favorite of the CTC because it is usually the first time we get one of those neutral-court quadruple-headers. This year, however, the A-Sun decided to split up the quarters into back-to-back double-headers to try and provide an additional slight advantage to the top two seeds (an extra day off between the quarters and semis). So, today we get a day-night double-header featuring the top two teams in this conference in quarterfinal action. As for the CTC, this conference has been dominated by J, winning the outright titles in 2008 and 2009, and then a share of the 2011 crown.
Championship Picks
11 for #1 Belmont
5 for #2 Mercer (Bry, Dave, Doogan, Lil Lohse, RDoc)
2 for #3 USC-Upstate (J, Primm)
Biggest Upsets
QF – #8 Jacksonville (Bry)
SF – #5 N. Florida (Bry)
Past A-Sun Champs
2011 – Dave/J
2010 – Bry
2009 – J
2008 – J
#1 Belmont vs. #8 Jacksonville
All around the A-Sun, teams were probably rooting against the Jacksonville Dolphins to make this tournament. Picked 2nd, behind Belmont, in the preseason, the Dolphins were absolutely terrible for three months, but started to figure it out down the stretch. They needed to win 4 of their last 6 conference games (including a win @ETSU and home against Mercer) just to have a chance to make the A-Sun tournament. They got help down the stretch, as Stetson faded and Jacksonville got in on a complicated tiebreaker over Stetson, whose season ended. Now, the Dolphins are as alive as anyone in this conference, but they are saddled with a first-round matchup against the league champion Belmont Bruins. Belmont has everybody back from a NCAA 13-seed last year, so they are more than ready to defend their title. But, this quarterfinal might be a tough place to start. Bry is the only one crazy enough to take Jacksonville in this one – going for the huge haul (yes, I lost my mind picking this bracket – happens about once a year). Everyone else has Belmont, with 10 people taking the Bruins to go all the way.
#2 Mercer vs. #7 Lipscomb
One of the A-Sun storylines missed this year because Belmont has been so good again is just how good Mercer has been this year. An excellent non-conference season gave way to a decent conference season, so let us not be too hasty to just hand this tournament to the favorites. Lipscomb has had a down year, by their standards, but a win here could really help their crosstown arch-rivals in Belmont. Lynch and Waters are going to the huge upset here with Lipscomb. Bry, Dave, Doogan, Lil Lohse, and RDoc all have Mercer winning this tournament.
