The spotlight is completely on college basketball now. The NCAA tournament bracket will be finalized in less than five weeks. Bids will be stolen in conference tournaments. The pressure will be ramped up for one-bid mid-major leagues. Three weeks remain until conference tournaments begin. It’s the best time of the year!
Monday: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (15-10, 8-5 Southland) @ Lamar Cardinals (14-10, 9-4 Southland)
The Islanders (KenPom 181) have slid a bit since they were last covered in this series. They have lost three of four and, while not in danger of missing the conference tournament, are in a position where every game matters. Winning in Beaumont would be a good start toward getting the second seed. Texas A&M-CC also will play Houston Christian (8-5 Southland), McNeese (12-1 Southland), Nicholls (9-4 Southland), and SE Louisiana (9-4 Southland) over a four-game stretch. It’s go time for Jim Shaw’s group.
Lamar (KP 201) will not make it easy at all. Contrary to Texas A&M-CC, the Cardinals have rattled off five wins in six games, most recently beating the buzzer against UTRGV. This streak of good play has been spearheaded by the Santiago, Dominican Republic native Alexis Marmolejos. Marmolejos put up 19 in the aforementioned win against the Vaqueros and helped bail the Cardinals out of what would have been an embarrassing loss to East Texas A&M. The goal for Lamar is the same as Texas A&M-CC’s: win now and win often.
When and where: 8 p.m. EST on ESPN+
Tuesday: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (15-10, 10-4 OVC) @ Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans (16-9, 10-4 OVC)
The Ohio Valley Conference has a three-way tie for first place at the moment. Three will be cut down to two on Tuesday as Southeast Missouri State (KP 227) looks to add to its five-game winning streak. Rob Martin has really stepped up in the backcourt as of late for the Redhawks. He averages 13.2 points per game on the season but has put up 19.6 PPG over the five-game win streak. Can he stay hot when the Redhawks need it the most?
The offense as a whole will be put to the test against the Trojans of Little Rock (KP 185). While this team’s offense leaves something to be desired (316th in adjusted offense), team defense can decide its opponent is not allowed to have fun (67th in adjusted defense). Over its last ten games, Little Rock has allowed 60 PPG and no more than 72 points in a game. Last time these teams met, it was a 73-71 Trojans win. Will history repeat or will the Redhawks flip the script?
When and where: 8 p.m. on ESPN+
Wednesday: Chattanooga Mocs (17-8, 9-3 SoCon) @ Samford Bulldogs (19-6, 9-3 SoCon)
The Southern Conference also has a three-way tie for first place going into Valentine’s Day week. Like the OVC, that tie will be somewhat broken before the week is over. The last team Chattanooga (KP 118) lost to is the very same team it faces Wednesday night. Since then, the Mocs have won five straight. The Mocs have four players averaging double digits in scoring: guard Bash Wieland, guard Honor Huff, guard Trey Bonham, and forward Frank Champion.
Seemingly the only thing stopping Samford (KP 96) from winning back-to-back Southern Conference championships is East Tennessee State, who swept the season series. Aside from that, the Bulldogs look as strong as they did last year. They’re scoring 77.3 PPG in conference play, only scoring fewer than 70 points in their two losses against ETSU. Last time these teams played, Samford came back from 16 down to beat the Mocs in Chattanooga. What will unfold on the court this go-around?
When and where: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Thursday: College of Charleston Cougars (19-6, 9-3 CAA) @ UNCW Seahawks (20-5, 10-2 CAA)
The next chapter of what is becoming one of the better mid-major rivalries on the East Coast will unfold on national television. This is the first game of four on this Charleston (KP 160) road trip. The Cougars have won four of five, but have not exactly looked all that convincing during that stretch. The lone loss was a 15-point defeat to William & Mary, they needed overtime to beat Elon at home, and squeaked by NC A&T by three (who is winless in CAA play). Nonetheless, Ante Brzovic (19.0/8.5/3.1) is making the most of staying behind after Pat Kelsey’s departure to Louisville. He is a game-breaker, simply put.
They pay a visit to the bridesmaids of the post-pandemic CAA landscape. UNCW (KP 113) lost consecutive CAA championship games in 2022 and 2023, then didn’t even win a postseason game last year. This Seahawks team has found ways to win games as of late. Right now, UNCW is riding an eight-game win streak in what will be the most important game the Trask Coliseum hosts this season. This game may end up being for the second seed in the CAA tournament.
When and where: 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Friday: Marist Red Foxes (16-5, 9-3 MAAC) @ Siena Saints (11-13, 6-7 MAAC)
Despite the disparity in records, this game is relatively even on paper. Marist (KP 229) only has five losses on the year, but also has the weakest strength of schedule in all of Division I. Either way, winning is winning. Sophomore Josh Pascarelli leads the charge in scoring with 16.1 PPG and zero games in which he’s scored double digits. He is the engine that keeps the Red Foxes running.
Siena (KP 239) has picked up sneaky good wins on teams such as Bryant, American, and Bucknell. This team could easily make noise in the MAAC tournament provided they still make it. The Saints have a quality scoring duo in Justice Shoats (15.4/2.8/4.1) and Major Freeman (14/4/2). The last time these two teams squared off, Marist won 72-67 and led for the final 31:14 of the game.
When and where: 7 p.m. on ESPN+
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