CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 16. Up first: The Atlantic Sun Tournament.
Only 10 of the 12 teams in the Atlantic Sun actually make the Atlantic Sun Tournament, with West Georgia and Bellarmine both falling short. However, only nine of the teams in the postseason actually have a chance to qualify for March Madness, as Queens is still ineligible to make the Big Dance.
There may not be one team as the favorite to win, but teams seeded 1-5 all finished within two games of each other.
Atlantic Sun Tournament play starts on Sunday, Mar. 2, making it the first Division I conference to open postseason play.
2025 Atlantic Sun Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Jacob Ognacevic, Lipscomb
Freshman of the Year: Josh Harris, North Florida
Transfer of the Year: Taye Fields, North Alabama
Coach of the Year: Tony Pujol, North Alabama
First Team:
- G: Jacari Lane, North Alabama (16.9 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 39.4 3P%)
- G: Devontae Blanton, Eastern Kentucky (16.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.2 SPG)
- G: Robert McCray V, Jacksonville (16.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.5 SPG)
- F: Jacob Ognacevic, Lipscomb (20.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.5 APG, 58.2 FG%, 41.3 3P%)
- F: Keeshawn Kellman, FGCU (13.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.2 BPG, 60.6 FG%)
Second Team:
- G: Joe Anderson, Lipscomb (11.2 PPG, 4.0 APG, 3.5 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 37.4 3P%)
- G: Dallion Johnson, FGCU (15.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 37.7 3P%)
- G: Will Pruitt, Lipscomb (13.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 35.4 3P%)
- G: Jevin Muniz, FGCU (10.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.3 APG)
- G: Taye Fields, North Alabama (11.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 55.3 FG%)
2025 Atlantic Sun Tournament Simulation
First Round – Sun., Mar. 2
10. Central Arkansas (8-23, 4-14) vs. 9. Stetson (8-23, 6-12) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
The final two teams to qualify for the Atlantic Sun Tournament meet on Sunday in a game reminiscent of the NBA Playoffs Why it’s not the 7-seed against the 10-seed and an 8-9 matchup is beyond me, but regardless, neither of these teams have what it takes to pull off a run to win this tournament. Still, Stetson won the lone meeting and has a better cast of scorers, compared to the Bears who have struggled even more once Layne Taylor went down.
Mat’s pick: 9. Stetson
8. North Florida (15-16, 8-10) vs. 7. Austin Peay (13-18, 8-10) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Don’t be surprised if these teams are playing for the 2026 Atlantic Sun Tournament title. UNF’s Josh Harris and Peay’s Tate McCubbin were arguably the two best freshmen on teams that were somewhat competitive in the league this season. In this game, I’m looking at the Ospreys’ scoring – 14th most points per game in the country and coming off two narrow losses to two of the better teams in the A-Sun.
Mat’s pick: 8. North Florida
Quarterfinals – Mon., Mar. 3
5. Eastern Kentucky (18-13, 12-6) at 4. Jacksonville (18-12, 12-6) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
The Colonels fell to Jacksonville just two games ago, being held to only 55 points in the loss. That was a season-low for EKU, but will it happen again? The Dolphins’ defense is no joke having held some of the best teams in the Atlantic Sun to below their season averages. But can they beat a team three times in one year? I say yes, at home.
Mat’s pick: 4. Jacksonville
8. North Florida at 2. North Alabama (22-9, 14-4) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
While UNF’s outlook for the future is bright, North Alabama is concerned with playing in March Madness this year. They’ve won eight of their last nine games and took down the Ospreys by 13 at home and by 6 on the road earlier in the season. It may not be a blowout, , and with the two highest scoring teams in the A-Sun, there will be a lot of points, but it will also be a UNA win.
Mat’s pick: 2. North Alabama
6. Queens (18-13, 11-7) at 3. FGCU (18-13, 13-5) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Queens is playing with house money, still unable to make the NCAA Tournament. So, in a sense, winning the Atlantic Sun Tournament would be their national championship. Grant Leonard’s squad has split their last eight games and also split there home-and-home with FGCU. At home, they scored 92 and won by 9. On the road, they fell 60-47. That’s a staunch difference and one that makes me want to side with Pat Chambers and the Eagles’ four-game winning streak.
Mat’s pick: 3. FGCU
9. Stetson at 1. Lipscomb (22-9, 14-4) – 8 p.m. on ESPN+
I have a lot to say on this Lipscomb team but I’ll save that for the next round. They should have no trouble with the Mad Hatters, a team they beat by 33 points on Feb. 13.
Mat’s pick: 1. Lipscomb
Semifinals – Thur., Mar. 6
4. Jacksonville at 1. Lipscomb – TBD on ESPN+
Lipscomb does lots of things well, but what stands out the most is the play of Jacob Ognacevic and their ability to hit the three-ball. The Bisons made 9.8 threes per game in the regular season, 33rd best in the country. However, Jacksonville can also hit from three and does a great job at defending the perimeter. They played back on Jan. 2, a five-point Lipscomb win where they went 7-of-15 from distance. I think the Dolphins make this one close, but the Bisons find a way to move on.
Mat’s pick: 1. Lipscomb
3. FGCU at 2. North Alabama – TBD on ESPN+
North Alabama doesn’t a lot of things well, including rebounding, something they led the conference in. However, FGCU led the A-Sun in rebounding margin, so something tells me this game will be won on the glass. They also both ranked top three in the league in team defense, so there’s not much room for error here. While the game is at North Alabama, and both teams have been playing well, I like Jevin Muniz to be the difference maker here, as a guard who can create havoc on the boards and come up with some crucial, winning plays.
Mat’s pick: 3. FGCU
Championship – Sun., Mar. 9
3. FGCU at 1. Lipscomb – 2 p.m. on ESPN2
When you look at how great Lipscomb is offensively, you may forget they have the best defense in the Atlantic Sun. So not only can the Bisons outscore teams, but they can shut them down and blow out even the best of their opponents. We saw this a few weeks ago in a 14-point win over FGCU. This league was close and a lot of teams put forth great records, but top-seeded Lipscomb has that extra edge when it matters most.
Mat’s pick: 1. Lipscomb