Loading ...SWAC Conference Tournament Preview
The Favorite: Jackson State. The Tigers went 17-1 in SWAC conference play, winning the regular season crown by three games. After an 0-10 start to the season where Jackson State played really good teams (Baylor, Tulsa, Nebraska, Alabama, Memphis), the Tigers have won 19 of their final 20 games to end the season.
Darkhorse: Texas Southern. Jackson State’s one conference loss came at home to the other Tigers of the SWAC on January 18th. Texas Southern finished the year 15-15 overall and 11-7 in conference play. They ended the year with three consecutive wins over Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, and Southern.
Player to Watch: Garrison Johnson (Jackson State). Johnson is leading the SWAC in scoring (17.3 PPG) and has scored 20 or more points in nine of Jackson State’s last twelve games. He hasn’t had a game where he took single digit shot attempts since December 23rd.
Prediction: I can’t pick against a team that finished 17-1 in conference play and won its conference by three games. Jackson State hasn’t exactly rolled through its wins (eight of its last ten wins have been by ten points or less), but it has shown all year that it is the best team in the SWAC. Arkansas Pine Bluff and Alabama State are worthy challengers that could steal the auto bid and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
