By Kenneth Cross
The Sun Belt Conference posted multiple teams in the NCAA Tournament in 2013 and 2008, but generally, it has been characterized as a one-bid league since it was formed in 1977.
Then-member Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State were the duo in 2013 as the Hilltoppers won the tournament and in 2008, WKU cut the nets while South Alabama was the regular season winner.
Now, in the 2023-24 season, we realize that the SBC once again should be a multi-bid league with 1-seed Appalachian and 2-seed James Madison likely the favorites for a third meeting in the Sun Belt Finals which are set for Monday evening, March 11, in the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida.
Coach Dustin Kerns led the Mountaineers to their first outright league title since 1978-79 as they defeated Arkansas State, 80-57, last Thursday in Boone, NC.
Kerns commented about how winning the title was a major ending to a solid 26-5 record after winning 15 of the last 16 games to capture the Sun Belt regular season title.
“Setting the regular season record for wins with 26 and program history is a big deal,” said Kerns. “Then, winning the first Sun Belt championship with the 26 wins and winning the first conference title since 1978 – 46 years that’s a long time.”
The Mountaineers are a defensive threat in allowing opponents to shoot only 38.5 percent from the floor, fourth in college basketball, while clipping opponents’ points to 66.1 ppg (34th/CBB). App also outebounded it’s opponents by 6.0 boards as they averaged 42.3 boards/game (4th/CBB).
Kerns has a solid nine-man rotation on offense as Tre’Von Spillers averages 13.1 points while Donovan Gregory (13.0 ppg) and Terrence Harcum (11.8 ppg) averaged double figures as well.
App finished with two wins over JMU that allowed the Mountaineers to finish one game ahead of the Dukes. The Mountaineers won at James Madison, 59-55, and then two weeks later, they had an 82-76 win in Boone.
Appalachian will see either (8) South Alabama or (9) Georgia Southern around Noon on Saturday. A win there would set App up against the winner of (4) Arkansas State vs. (5) Louisiana, (12) UL Monroe, or (13) Coastal Carolina.
The Dukes nailed the No. 2 seed with an 86-76 win at Coastal Carolina behind 18 points from Sun Belt Player of the Year Terrence Edwards, Jr. Like Appalachian, JMU set a season record with 28 wins as the Dukes were 15-3 in Sun Belt play.
Throughout the season, JMU was undefeated in November, December, February, and so far in March. The Dukes were 5-3 in January.
Coach Mark Byington featured a stellar offense that propelled the Dukes to a 14-0 record to start the season. Like the Mountaineers, JMU lost it’s three games in January; although they have won 10 consecutive contests since their loss at App on Jan. 27.
The Dukes area a tough cover in averaging (84.6 ppg/9th CBB) and they work together to find the three and set up shooters (16.6 apg/23/CBB).
Edwards (37.2%), Noah Freidel (37.2%), and Julien Wooden (42.3%) are James Madison’s top overall three-point shooters. Wooden is a tough matchup as he can score from the inside as well and he causes coaches to have to make a decision on how to defend him.
T.J. Bickerstaff is one of the top centers in the Sun Belt with 13.9 ppg while shooting 63 percent from the floor. JMU outscores it’s opponents by 15 points per night and defensively, the Dukes hold opponents to 69.3 points (102/CBB) and opponents only make 41.4 percent of their shots (47th/CBB).
James Madison picks up the winner of the (7) Georgia Southern vs. (10) Marshall game at 8:30 EST Saturday evening. (3) Troy likely will be able to advance to the semifinals in the tournament with a matchup against either (6) Southern MIss, (11) Texas State, or (14) Old Dominion.