2021 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Info, Facts, & Preview Links
Quarterfinals (at Jacksonville, FL; 1&3 at UNF Arena; 2&4 at Swisher Gym)
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Game 1: (8) Kennesaw St. (5-18 overall; 2-13 conf) vs. (1) Liberty (20-5 overall; 11-2 conf) at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Game 2: (5) North Alabama (11-10 overall; 7-8 conf) vs. (4) North Florida (8-14 overall; 6-6 conf) at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Game 3: (7) Stetson (10-13 overall; 7-9 conf) vs. (2) Bellarmine (13-6 overall; 10-3 conf) at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Game 4: (6) FGCU (9-7 overall; 4-5 conf) at (3) Lipscomb (15-11 overall; 9-6 conf) at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Semifinals (Jacksonville, FL; UNF Arena)
Friday, March 5, 2021
Game 5: Lowest Remaining Seed vs. Highest Remaining Seed at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Game 6: Second-Lowest Remaining Seed vs. Second-Highest Remaining Seed at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Championship Game (Jacksonville, FL; UNF Arena)
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Game 7: Championship Game (Auto Bid) at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Tournament Winners (last 10 years):
2020: (1) Liberty (30-4 overall; 13-3 conf)
2019: (2) Liberty (29-7 overall; 14-2 conf)
2018: (2) Lipscomb (23-10 overall; 10-4 conf)
2017: (1) FGCU (26-8 overall; 12-2 conf)
2016: (4) FGCU (21-14 overall; 8-6 conf)
2015: (1) North Florida (23-12 overall; 12-2 conf)
2014: (2) Mercer (27-9 overall; 14-4 conf)
2013: (2) FGCU (26-11 overall; 13-5 conf)
2012: (1) Belmont (27-8 overall; 16-2 conf)
2011: (1) Belmont (30-5 overall; 19-1 conf)
NET ratings through games of 3/3/21 (347 teams)
Liberty-83
Bellarmine-173 (participating in conference tournament but ineligible for NCAA tournament)
Lipscomb-240
Stetson-273
FGCU-292
Jacksonville-293 (not participating in conference tournament due to COVID issues)
North Florida-295
North Alabama-302 (participating in conference tournament but ineligible for NCAA tournament)
Kennesaw St.-336
Kenpom ratings as of 3/3/21
Liberty-83
Bellarmine-182 (participating in conference tournament but ineligible for NCAA tournament)
Lipscomb-223
Stetson-251
FGCU-286
North Florida-298
Jacksonville-303 (not participating in conference tournament due to COVID issues)
North Alabama-308 (participating in conference tournament but ineligible for NCAA tournament)
Kennesaw St.-340
Here are some links for previews of the 2021 Atlantic Sun Conference tournament and the official tournament championship page (in no particular order):
Official Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament page: https://asunsports.org/sports/mbkb/championship/2020-21/index
NBC Sports Washington tournament preview link: https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/ncaa/atlantic-sun-tournament-2021-bracket-how-watch-dates-preview-location
FanSided/Busting Brackets tournament preview link: https://bustingbrackets.com/2021/03/02/atlantic-sun-basketball-2020-21-conference-tournament-preview/
Sports Betting Dime tournament preview link: https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/ncaab/2021-atlantic-sun-conference-tournament-odds-preview-prediction/
Mid-Major Madness tournament preview link: https://www.midmajormadness.com/2021/3/2/22309232/asun-atlantic-sun-tournament-2021-bracket-schedule-how-to-watch-liberty-flames-bellarmine
Here's my brief take on the A-Sun tournament: This tournament is one of the rare conference tournaments that has been dominated by the 1 and 2 seeds. 9 of the last 10 titles have been won by the 1 or 2. That's crazy in this day and age of upsets galore. So, with Bellarmine ineligible to go to the tourney even though they are the 2 seed, the obvious choice here is 1 seed Liberty, who has won the tournament the last two years. Keep in mind though that Liberty will have to play a road game at UNF Arena vs. North Florida in the semifinals assuming UNF wins their opener. I know home court advantage isn't what it's been because of the pandemic, but it still seems to matter some. Don't be too surprised if Lipscomb plays at UNF for the title. But also don't be too surprised if Liberty wins it again. Ha. Enjoy!
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