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The Sun Belt ranks dead last in the country in blowout percentage and is fourth in close game percentage, meaning this league is as competitive as it gets.
Texas State, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, and Louisiana all earned byes to the quarterfinals, but there were four other teams fighting for those in the final weekend, not including unanimous preseason favorite Little Rock.
There’s talent up and down the board in this league, so expect the close games to continue, and some great March action in Pensacola.
Bracket
Schedule:
First Round (Fri., Mar. 5), ESPN+
Binghamton played the Retrievers close on Sunday, never letting them take a double-digit lead, even though they eventually fell to UMBC.
On Monday, the Retrievers were without reigning America East Player of the Week, Brandon Horvath, as he picked up a shoulder injury. He was in a sling, but after leaving the game early on Sunday in concern, he played the remainder of the game and went off for 20 points.
The majority of the first half was all UMBC, but the 0-6 Bearcats were red hot from deep, hitting 15 from behind the arc for the game. Along with this, they held the rebound advantage, 45-26.