The ASUN will only send the conference tournament winner to The Big Dance this year, so this is every team’s chance to make their mark in March. Let’s dive into it with our 2024 ASUN tournament preview with picks and best bets.
The ASUN conference tournament starts on March 4 and runs through March 10. All the games will be played on the highest-seeded team’s home court.
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2024 ASUN Tournament Preview & Best Bets
Will the Eastern Kentucky Colonels wreck shop on their way to the National Championship? Is there a legitimate contender to ruin their month? Are there any long shots that may make March truly mad?
The Favorite: Eastern Kentucky +140
The favorite for the 2024 ASUN tournament is the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. The Colonels went 17-13 overall but managed a 12-4 conference record to secure the top seed in the tournament.
Eastern Kentucky was an absolute wagon at home this year. The Colonels went 13-3 in Richmond and covered seven of the 13 games that had a spread listed.
EKU typically starts with three forwards and two guards. They’re led by sophomore guard Leland Walker. Walker profiles as an undersized combo guard. He led the Colonels in points and assists while shooting 43.4% from the field, 83.2% from the line, and 35.2% from three.
On the inside, the Colonels feature senior forward Isaiah Cozart. Cozart transferred from Western Kentucky two years ago and is an absolute load in the post.
He’s 6’7 but is listed at 240 lbs. He managed 15.5 points and 9.9 boards per game this year, but he’s a liability at the line. Cozart only shot 54.2% from the line this year.
The Colonels are a +140 favorite and are likely to make it to the final. They get an opening round bye and then get to face the winner of Jacksonville vs. Kennesaw State. The Colonels beat both teams by double digits during conference play.
The tournament games will be held at the home court of the highest seed. This means that Eastern Kentucky gets all three games in Richmond. They went undefeated at home in conference play. Home court is a huge advantage, and they should ride this into a National Championship Tournament berth.
Other Contenders
The Stetson Hatters are the second-ranked team in the conference, but odds have them listed as third to win the conference championship. The Lipscomb Bisons are listed with the second-best odds to win the tournament at +300, and it’s for a good reason.
Lipscomb ranked 162nd in KenPom heading into the ASUN tournament. That’s 38 spots higher than the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
Lipscomb finished the 2023-24 season with a 20-11 regular season record and an 11-5 conference record. A loss to Stetson kept the Bisons from earning the two-seed.
Lipscomb will face North Alabama in the quarterfinals. The Bisons beat North Alabama at home but lost on the road. Assuming Lipscomb gets past the Lions, they’ll play Stetson or the winner of FGCU/Queens in the semifinals. Stetson drilled Lipscomb by 21 in Deland, FL.
The Bisons are the best team in the conference on paper, but they would likely have to win at Stetson and at Eastern Kentucky to win the conference tournament.
They also have a loss against North Alabama this year, so they’re not a guarantee to make it to the semifinals. Pairing an Eastern Kentucky bet with a Lipscomb sprinkle at +300 may make sense, but relying on the Bisons at +300 isn’t likely to pay out.
Darkhorse: Austin Peay +900
Austin Peay is the fourth seed and is sitting at +900 odds. The Governors get North Florida at home. Austin Peay had a win at home against North Florida this season. The Governors also have a win over Eastern Kentucky this year at home.
Austin Peay has a veteran squad with a trio of senior guards to rely on in crunch time. They also have a low post hoss of their own in Sai Witt.
The Governors are experienced and talented at spots that matter. They aren’t great defensively, but no one in the ASUN conference really is. They have the third-best Adjusted Offense ranking in the conference and can beat just about anyone in the conference if they get hot.
The Guvs are far from a sure thing, but they’ve proven they can beat North Florida and only have to get past Eastern Kentucky to make it to the finals. Pairing a unit bet on Eastern Kentucky with a sprinkle on the Governors at +900 should give you half the tournament final. If the Colonels make it, you’re sitting pretty, and it’s a coin flip if the Govs end up there.
The College Basketball Experience
Do you want even more college basketball best bets and analysis? Check out The College Basketball Experience podcast, listen to Colby Dant and Moneyline Mac give out their picks, and let it ride!
