NCAAB · 1 year ago

SWAC Tournament Betting Guide: Who Wins the Battle in Birmingham?

David Connelly

Host · Writer

SWAC Tournament Best Bet: Grambling (+480)
The top seed is being disrespected here by this pricing. They have won six of seven, with their only loss coming in the regular-season finale in double-overtime to Alabama State. A combined 4-1 record over the top three teams on the odds board - Southern, Alcorn State, and Texas Southern - proves they match up well with the league's contenders and are right up there with them in terms of capability. Back the Tigers to get it done in Birmingham and claim the league's automatic bid.
SWAC League Overview
The winner of the SWAC almost always finds their way to the First Four, but that doesn't mean these teams can't hoop. Southern racked up some big-time wins in the non-conference, while we have seen teams, like the Jaguars against Gonzaga in the opening round in 2013, give teams a scare in the opening rounds. The odds indicate that the field is wide open this year, meaning there should be plenty of drama inside Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Let's take a look at the contenders and who we believe in most ahead of the action.
SWAC Tournament Favorite: Southern (+290)
Southern has some stunning results on their schedule that you would not expect from a SWAC school. Most of these programs put together daunting road schedules against high-major programs throughout non-conference play to keep the lights on, and the Jags made some serious noise this year by knocking off both UNLV and Mississippi State in their home gym. There is some concern after losses in four of their final six games, especially with junior guard and talisman Tai'Reon Joseph currently injured. On a neutral court where anything can happen with one of the youngest teams in the country, we're going to stay away here.
SWAC Tournament Challenger: Alcorn State (+400)
The Braves are the hottest team in the league heading into the postseason. They have the fourth-longest active win streak in the country at nine games, helping them go from 4-5 to a second seed in the field. The status of First-Team All-SWAC selection Jeremiah Kendall is important ahead of this, who should be good to go ahead of the tournament as he missed their previous outing, a 104-95 shootout victory over Arkansas Pine Bluff. He can will this team to a title through the paint, and we haven't seen many teams with an answer for his paint dominance.
SWAC Tournament Dark Horse: Alabama A&M (+2500)
The Bulldogs have seriously ramped up their defense in the final six weeks of the season, ranking 93rd per Bart Torvik in defensive efficiency since the start of February. It's led to a 7-4 record to close out the year, including a big-time win over Southern last weekend. Leading scorer Dailin Smith has missed the team's previous nine games and his status remains uncertain heading into the postseason. If he returns, the Cinderella run could be on for Alabama A&M at the highest price in the market.
SWAC Tournament Best Bet: Grambling (+480)
The top seed is being disrespected here by this pricing. They have won six of seven, with their only loss coming in the regular-season finale in double-overtime to Alabama State. A combined 4-1 record over the top three teams on the odds board - Southern, Alcorn State, and Texas Southern - proves they match up well with the league's contenders and are right up there with them in terms of capability. Back the Tigers to get it done in Birmingham and claim the league's automatic bid.
SWAC League Overview
The winner of the SWAC almost always finds their way to the First Four, but that doesn't mean these teams can't hoop. Southern racked up some big-time wins in the non-conference, while we have seen teams, like the Jaguars against Gonzaga in the opening round in 2013, give teams a scare in the opening rounds. The odds indicate that the field is wide open this year, meaning there should be plenty of drama inside Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Let's take a look at the contenders and who we believe in most ahead of the action.