Recently I discussed the early success of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The A-Sun was able to boast a win over Cincinnati, USC, and Kentucky. These came at the hands of Belmont, Mercer, and Gardner-Webb respectively. Belmont entered their game Monday night in Tuscaloosa never having defeated a Southeastern Conference (SEC) team in 12 games. Belmont was able to erase that mark with a win against the Roll Tide of Alabama by the score of 85-83. Belmont improves its record to 1-12 all time against SEC teams. The Bruins also improve its season record to 4-2.
Senior guard, Justin Hare scored 15 points in the win over Alabama including the two point jumper with 2.2 seconds left on the clock to help put the Bruins over the Crimson Tide by a score of 85-83 after the score was tied at 83. Hare is the only senior on this team and is without a doubt the catalyst that will drive the Bruins this year. Hare leads Belmont with 16.4 points per game and 30.8 minutes per game. Hare also is third on the team in rebounds and assists with 4.2 rebounds per game and 3.0 assists per game.
Belmont, who was not considered a preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Sun Conference must now not only be considered a favorite but should be considered a top 25 team with a few more victories.
Looking at what Belmont has done this season:
11/09 W @ Cincinnati 86-75
11/10 L @ Bowling Green 78-67
11/11 W vs. Western Carolina 79-70
11/15 W @ Samford 82-73
11/17 L @ Austin Peay 71-56
11/19 W @ Alabama 85-83
What’s on tap?
11/26 vs. Middle Tennessee State
12/01 @ Xavier
After a cupcake game against Fisk the Bruins take on a couple tough teams
(skipping Tennessee State):
12/12 rematch against Sun Belt Team Middle Tennessee State
12/19 rematch against an Ohio Valley team Austin Peay
12/29 @ Wright State (This will be a great game that few will anticipate)
Then a trio of road Atlantic Sun games against: Gardner-Webb, Campbell, and Lipscomb. Look for the Bruins to come out of these three games with a record of at least 2-1.
In analyzing Belmont’s schedule, the loss to Bowling Green is again proof emotion plays in sports. Belmont must have been on such an emotional high after the win against Cincinnati that the game on the road against the Falcons that they had a let down. And the Austin Peay loss was a road game against a good Ohio Valley Conference team. But a record of 4-2 with wins over Cincinnati and Alabama, Big East and SEC teams the Bruins should be considered for the top 25 and believe it or not will be a Cinderella team if and when they make it to the NCAA tournament because like the rest of the teams in the A-Sun they have never won an NCAA tournament game.
Alabama had already traveled to Macon, GA to defeat the Mercer Bears. Mercer already defeated Southern California on the road this year.
Belmont will finish the season 2-0 against the Big East, SEC, and Pac 10 conferences assuming they do not meet one in the NCAA tournament. The Atlantic Sun has hit a recent skid after starting the season 3-0 against three power conferences. The A-Sun is now 4-4 against these three conferences. The A-Sun will play 11 more games this season against teams from these three conferences. The only Atlantic Sun Conference team not to play a team from one of these three conferences is Florida Gulf Coast.
Remaining games for the Atlantic Sun Conference against these three conferences include: @ Florida (3 times), @ Georgetown, @ Connecticut, @ Syracuse, @ Georgia, @ South Carolina, @ Auburn, @ Vanderbilt, and @ Notre Dame.
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