CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 17. Up next: The SoCon Tournament.
The SoCon Tournament begins action on Friday with the opening round and the championship game culminating on the following Monday, March 11th. Samford captured their first regular-season title since joining the league, an honor that’s been well overdue given the Bulldogs’ surge under fourth year head man Bucky McMillan.
The problem for Samford is that they are, relatively speaking, the new kids on the block. This league is constantly full of solid teams that know how to win in Asheville when it matters. If the Bulldogs emerge unscathed, they will have absolutely earned it.
2024 SoCon Awards
Player of the Year: Vonterius Woolbright, Western Carolina
Freshman of the Year: Tyran Cook, VMI
Transfer of the Year: Rylan Jones, Samford
Coach of the Year: Bucky McMillan, Samford
First Team:
- G: Vonterius Woolbright, Western Carolina (21.4 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 5.5 APG, 46.3 FG%)
- G: Keyshaun Langley, UNC Greensboro (15.6 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.7 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 42.8 3P%)
- G: J.P. Pegues, Furman (18.0 PPG, 4.9 APG, 4.4 RPG, 1.2 SPG)
- F: Mikeal Brown-Jones, UNCG (19.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 55.3 FG%)
- F: Achor Achor, Samford (15.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.7 BPG, 59.1 FG%)
Second Team:
- G: Honor Huff, Chattanooga (17.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 38.9 3P%)
- G: A.J. Staton-McCray, Samford (12.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.7 SPG)
- F: Quentin Millora-Brown, The Citadel (11.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.4 BPG, 59.4 FG%)
- F: Jalyn McCreary, Mercer (15.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.0 BPG, 53.1 FG%)
- F: Jaden Seymour, East Tennessee State (15.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 45.6 FG%)
SoCon Tournament Simulation
First Round – Fri., Mar. 8
8. Mercer (15-16, 8-10) vs. 9. The Citadel (11-20, 3-15) – 5 p.m. on ESPN+
On paper, these two teams are relatively evenly matched. However, Mercer has been playing better of late, winning four of their final five games, including upsets of Samford, UNCG, and Furman. The Bears will roll on behind McCreary.
Matt’s pick: 8. Mercer
7. East Tennessee State (16-15, 8-10) vs. 10. VMI (4-27, 1-17) – 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+
It’s been a long season in Lexington, VA for VMI, but that was expected entering the season. The Keydets won’t lie down easily, as they’ve battled the league tough all year. However, East Tennessee State should find a way to advance to the next round.
Matt’s pick: 7. ETSU
Quarterfinals – Sat., Mar. 9
1. Samford (26-5, 15-3) vs. 8. Mercer – Noon on ESPN+
This is a sneaky tough test for Samford right off the bat. The Bears gave Samford one of their three conference losses this season behind a spirited effort from McCreary. The Bulldogs will benefit from an extra day of rest and a team on a mission entering the tournament, but they’ll have to earn this one. In both games against Mercer this season, Samford had the advantage at the free-throw line, and that will get them a win in a margin that will be closer than preferred.
Matt’s pick: 1. Samford
2. UNC Greensboro (21-10, 12-6) vs. 7. East Tennessee State – 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+
This is another sneaky game in the quarterfinals. ETSU just took down UNCG in both teams’ season finales by a thrilling 66-65 score. That’s a far cry from an early January 16-point victory for UNCG in the other game between these two. The Spartans’ defense has been what’s carried them through most of the season, and that’s what will get them quick revenge from their end of season defeat.
Matt’s pick: 2. UNCG
3. Chattanooga (20-11, 12-6) vs. 6. Wofford (17-14, 10-8) – 6 p.m. on ESPN+
When it comes to conference tournaments, match-ups can make all the difference. In this case, it’s a poor one for Wofford. The Mocs won both games over the Terriers by 16 and 14 points, respectively. In both games, Chattanooga dominated the rebounding margin and were highly efficient from two-point range. Perhaps Wofford will have figured something out this time around, but past results show Chattanooga has a formula that has been good to them against the Terriers this season.
Matt’s pick: 3. Chattanooga
4. Western Carolina (22-9, 11-7) vs. 5. Furman (16-15, 10-8) – 8:30 p.m. on ESPN+
This game should be another fantastic match-up like the first two games between these squads. These programs split during the regular season, with both winning on their home floors. This game will come down to who can be more balanced offensively and take care of the ball. If Woolbright gets the support that he had in their win over the Paladins a little over a week ago, the Catamounts should be able to eke this one out.
Matt’s pick: 4. Western Carolina
Semifinals – Sun. Mar. 10
1. Samford vs. 4. Western Carolina – 4 p.m. on ESPNU
Samford swept this season series, including an impressive 26-point victory the last time these two played on Valentine’s Day. However, any time you have the league player of the year on your side, you have a shot. The Catamounts’ biggest problem in both losses was not having an answer for Achor Achor. There’s no guarantee they’ll have an answer this time either, but it’s also tough to beat a team three times in a season, especially one the quality of Western Carolina. Woolbright will take over and will his team to the upset.
Matt’s pick: 4. Western Carolina
2. UNC Greensboro vs. 3. Chattanooga – 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU
This match-up brings another season split, with both teams winning by double digits on the road. In Chattanooga’s loss, the Mocs shot one of their worst percentages of the year, compared to shooting close to 60 percent in their 28-point victory. The Mocs and Spartans have been inconsistent down the stretch, but it will come down to Chattanooga’s ability to defend the three-point line. The Mocs get the job done.
Matt’s pick: 3. Chattanooga
Championship – Mon. Mar. 11
3. Chattanooga vs. 4. Western Carolina – 7 p.m. on ESPN
These teams also split this season, though the Catamounts have the better recent history, having beaten Chattanooga in the last game of the regular season by 19. In that one, WCU outrebounded Chatt 42-29 and had that magic formula of providing Woolbright some help. The Catamounts looked like the league favorite early in the season before Samford picked up steam, and they remind the league of that when they go dancing.
Matt’s pick: 4. Western Carolina