MTSU Sidelines

Top 3 seeds

1. South Alabama (East Division 22-5, 14-2 SBC)
   
   
2. UALR (West Division 17-10, 9-7)
   
   
3. Western Kentucky (East Division 22-6, 14-2)
   
   
4. Middle Tennessee (East Division 13-14, 10-7)
   
   

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Prediction for the tournament

1. Middle Tennessee - It's hard to bet against the Blue Raiders after they have won four conference titles in a row, even if they are second in the conference behind Western Kentucky. It's even harder to bet against Amber Holt, who seems to be able to take over a game at any moment. The major concern for this team would be if they could stay focused on each game instead of impending matchups down the road.

Dark Horse: Western Kentucky - On the front cover of the Lady Toppers' media guide is the phrase "The Time is Now." So far, WKU has proven this point by ending MT's conference-winning streak and having the best record in the Sun Belt. They have been tabbed numerous times to win the conference tournament. This year may be their best chance.

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Players to Watch

Tyrone Brazelton (WKU)

Courtney Lee gets all the love in Western Kentucky, but Brazelton is the glue guy for the Hilltoppers. Lee is an amazing scorer, but one man does not make a basketball team. Brazelton has quietly put up a great season. He is 15th in the SBC in scoring average (13.3) and third in assists per game (3.96). To have a chance at taking home the tournament trophy, WKU is going to need big performances out of Lee and Brazelton

Carlos Monroe (FAU)

Florida Atlantic is probably not on anyone's short list of potential tournament winners, but they do have the best big man in the SBC. Monroe gets buried in the Sun Belt headlines by the likes of Courtney Lee, Bo McCalebb and Demetric Bennett, but Monroe probably means more to his team than any other player in the conference. He is sixth in the conference in scoring (15.6) and first in rebounding (9.0). FAU may not win a game in the SBC tourney, but Monroe should put up gaudy numbers.

Josh White (North Texas)

It seems fitting to pick a darkhorse player from one of the darkhorse teams. North Texas is one of two SBC teams that hold a win over South Alabama. White is the leading candidate for conference freshman of the year. He's the Mean Green's leading scorer with a 14 point average and is also the SBC's leading 3-point shooter with a 45.8 percentage. The guard-heavy Mean Green will rely on White to knock down jumpers in order to advance.

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Coach of the Year (Regular Season)

Ronnie Arrow, South Alabama

Arrow's first year at the helm has been a huge success. South Alabama is currently on top of the SBC standings and is poised to take the No.1 seed in the tournament.

Although Arrow stepped into a favorable situation after former coach John Pelphrey's departure to Arkansas, his coaching ability has really shone this season. Having seniors Demetric Bennett and Daon Merrit is definitely nice, but a season sweep of Western Kentucky is an amazing display of coaching ability.

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