The Southland Conference championship brings together the two best teams in the league as the McNeese Cowboys face the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks on Wednesday night. Both programs have enjoyed excellent seasons and now sit one win away from an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. Stephen F. Austin enters the title game with a 28-4 record and the top seed in the conference, while McNeese arrives at 27-5 after another strong campaign that included a deep postseason run a year ago. Oddsmakers have installed McNeese as a slight favorite for this winner-take-all McNeese vs Stephen F. Austin matchup.
Pick: SFA +1.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5
The Southland Conference championship typically features the league’s two strongest teams, and that is exactly the case here. Stephen F. Austin secured the regular season title with a 20-2 conference record, while McNeese finished right behind at 19-3. Both teams have spent the season dominating league competition with strong defensive numbers and efficient offense.
Another storyline centers on fatigue. McNeese survived a dramatic 84-80 triple overtime victory in the semifinal round. While that win showed the Cowboys’ toughness, it also means they played far more minutes than Stephen F. Austin, which may become a factor late in the game.
The third storyline involves pace and efficiency. McNeese averages over 80 points per game and prefers an up-tempo style with aggressive perimeter play. Stephen F. Austin counters with a disciplined half-court defense that allows fewer than 66 points per game.
Stephen F. Austin
McNeese
Stat | McNeese | Stephen F. Austin |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 80.2 | 76.9 |
Points allowed per game | 66.7 | 65.6 |
Team Field Goal % | 47% | 45% |
Rebounds Per Game | 35.2 | 37.7 |
Assists Per Game | 14.2 | 13.8 |
Past meetings this season
ATS records this season
Score Projection: McNeese 72 – Stephen F. Austin 76 ATS PRO
Win Probability: McNeese 46%, Stephen F. Austin 54% ATS PRO
The Southland Conference championship brings together two teams that have been evenly matched throughout the season. Stephen F. Austin holds a slight defensive edge and rebounding advantage, but McNeese has the more explosive offense and will also play on its home floor in Lake Charles. I think the fatigue factor is being overlooked here, as McNeese might have trouble recuperating from a late-night 3OT game to play this early evening contest. I'll go with SFA to win the Southland title.
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