NCAA Tournament Preview and Quick Analysis--Part 2 (Men)

NOTE: Here's Part 2 of our NCAA Division II tournmanent preview here at D-II South Sports. This installment features the men's bracket in the South and Southeast Regions. Teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports are marked in BOLD type.

Southeast Region (at Augusta, GA)

Tournament Website

Bracket

Augusta State vs. Tusculum: The Jaguars took a major step towards advancing to the Elite Eight by winning the Peach Belt Conference tournament over archrival USC Aiken in dramatic fashion. But in order to punch a return ticket to Springfield, Mass., they must defeat a Pioneers team that finished the regular-season in a three-way tie for second place, only to give Catawba all it could handle before losing in the finals of the South Atlantic Conference tournament. In other words, Tusculum isn't your average No. 8 seed. Then again, at this point in the season, there's no such thing as an average game. It'll be interesting to see how top seeded Augusta State will respond in this contest.

GC&SU vs. Barton: The Bobcats of Georgia College & State University and senior shooting standout Shaun Keaton do battle with the Bulldogs of Barton College from Wilson, N.C., who won a surprise national championship in dramatic fashion just two years ago. Now, the Bulldogs square off against the Bobcats in this intriguing 4-5 match-up. What storylines might eventually come from this? We'll find out this Saturday.

Armstrong Atlantic State vs. Catawba: The Pirates face off against the Indians in the 3-6 game. AASU looks to move on to round two after losing a four overtime thriller to USC Aiken in the semifinals of last weekend's Peach Belt Conference tournament. Catawba enters this contest as the No. 6 seed after winning the South Atlantic Conference tournament for the second straight year.

Lenoir-Rhyne vs. USC Aiken: The second seeded Pacers--who finished as the PBC tournament runners-up after losing to Augusta State last weekend, does battle with the Bears, who are seeded seventh. After a first round upset loss to Clayton State last season, the USCA men will try to get over the hump into the second round this season.

South Region (at Lakeland, Fla.)

Tournament Website

Florida Southern vs. LeMoyne-Owen: The top-seeded Mocs enter the South Regional as the lone representative from the Sunshine State Conference. They'll face the eighth seeded Magicians, who pulled off upset wins over regular season champion Claflin and third seeded Lane to win the SIAC tournament. LeMoyne-Owen is one of three teams from that league to advance to the NCAA tournament.

Arkansas Tech vs. Benedict: The Wonder Boys take on the Tigers in the 4-5 contest. Fourth seeded ATU is coming off its first-ever Gulf South Conference tournament title, while fifth seeded Benedict hopes to regain the form that helped them to advance to last year's regional final, losing to North Alabama.

Valdosta State vs. Claflin: The Blazers battle the Panthers in the 3-6 game. Both teams have one thing in common: they won regular season conference (or division titles), only to fall short in their quest to win their respective conference tournaments. VSU lost to Arkansas Tech in the Gulf South Conference tournament finals last weekend, while SIAC newcomer Claflin couldn't advance past the semifinals of their conference tournament. Now both teams face off against each other in a "one-and-done" situation.

Delta State vs. Christian Brothers: The Buccaneers and Statesmen both finished the regular season 1-2 in the Gulf South Conference West Division. Now CBU and DSU both square off with their respective seasons at stake. Not a typical No. 2 vs. No. 7 match-up.