CBB Review hands out awards for each conference tournament in 2022. Up next: The Sun Belt Tournament.
In the Sun Belt Tournament, there were some great matchups. However, not just anyone can walk away with an NCAA tournament bid. Georgia State defeated Louisiana, 80-71, to make it the third trip in the last four NCAA tournaments. The Panthers clawed their way past the Ragin’ Cajuns on the back of Corey Allen’s performance to become the Sun Belt Champions.
๐ฆ๐๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐!#OurCity pic.twitter.com/inLGVoxX79
— GSU Men's Basketball (@GeorgiaStateMBB) March 8, 2022
CBB Review All-Sun Belt Tournament Honorable Mentions
- Adrian Delph, Appalachian State – 19.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG (2 games)
- Andre Jones, UL Monroe – 24.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 4.0 SPG (1 game)
- Charles Manning Jr, South Alabama – 26.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.0 BPG (1 game)
- Elijah McCadden, Georgia Southern – 12.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG (2 games)
- Jordan Jefferson, Little Rock – 20.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 APG (2 games)
- Nikola Maric, Little Rock – 14.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.0 APG (2 games)
CBB Review All-Sun Belt Tournament First Team
- Norchad Omier, Arkansas State – 28.0 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.5 SPG (2 games)
- Jordan Brown, Louisiana –ย 17.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.5 BPG (4 games)
- Corey Allen, Georgia State – 23.0 PPG, 5.3 APG, 2.7 RPG (3 games)
- Greg Williams Jr, Louisiana – 14.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.0 APG (4 games)
- Eliel Nsoseme, Georgia State – 11.3 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 2.7 BPG (3 games)
CBB Review Sun Belt Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Corey Allen, Georgia Stateย
This was a battle between Allen and Nsoseme, in my opinion. These teammates will be an issue in the tournament with the solid guard play of Allen and scoring ability. With an excellent cast around him, these Panthers prowled for some victories. Corey Allen is looking to break 2,000 career points in the tournament as he is now only 20 points away from doing so for Georgia State.
๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ฉ๐จ
Make that 9โฃ in a row!
On to the #SunBeltMBB Championship Game!#OurCity pic.twitter.com/Od6ag5lpsz
— GSU Men's Basketball (@GeorgiaStateMBB) March 7, 2022
And back to the initial note โ if you like stats โ Allen was perfect from the free-throw line in the tournament, making 19-for-19. He also handed out 18 assists and only had two turnovers in the Sun Belt tournament if Allen and his supporting cast are getting hot at the right point.
Georgia State’s NCAA Tournament Prediction
Round of 64
While the Panthers’ record isn’t great, 18-10, this team overcame much adversity. They are seemingly healthy and, with a good draw, could be a Cinderella team. I am playing it safe and saying they will fall short, however. Coach Ron Lanier has tied his shoes tight and is ready to dance into the tournament. Lanier’s defense is stepping up, and his offense has hit a stride. I feel bad for whoever gets paired up with this team in the first round.