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It all comes down to this. The emotions of Championship Week are unrivaled. Who doesn’t love the blood, sweat and buzzer beaters? Attempting to peg who will represent their league in the Big Dance, the Big Noise gives his conference tournament leans. Merry March Madness!
The pick — North Alabama to win Atlantic Sun Tournament (+225, DraftKings)
Tony Pujol’s Lions are crouched in the tall savanna grass poised to strike.
The fiery fingers from Florence finished A-Sun action No. 2 in league play in adjusted offensive efficiency, netting a dynamite 1.195 points per possession. Floor general Jacari Lane especially balled out.
In the regular season, the junior guard shot 39.4% on 3-pointers, averaged 4.2 assists per game and topped 20 points a dozen times. His bucket conversions and savvy distributions are why the 6-foot Lane is arguably one of the best point guards at the little guy level.
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North Alabama significantly outpaced fellow Atlantic Sun members in its last 10 games, ranking No. 107 in overall BARTHAG on BartTorvik. With the knack for doing jumping jacks on the offensive glass (33.9 offensive rebound percentage in last 10), deadly marksmanship from distance (34.6 3PT%) and the most defensively stout team in the league, the Lions are unquestionably the biggest threat to tourney favorite Lipscomb.
Keep in mind, the teams split their two games before the postseason. North Alabama won 74-64 on January 23 behind Lane’s 18 points and six assists, but the Lions lost to the Bisons 75-63 in Nashville on February 20.
Roar loudly, North ‘Bama.