3MW’s All-Conference Team:
Player of the Year: Caleb Homesley, Sr., Liberty
Coach of the Year: Matthew Driscoll, North Florida
Newcomer of the Year: Rob Perry, Fr., Stetson
Freshman of the Year: Rob Perry, Stetson
Season Storylines:
For the first month of the season, Liberty tantalized us with hopes of an undefeated season, starting 14-0 with wins over Radford, Vanderbilt, and Akron. LSU spoiled that storyline before 2020 began, and two losses in three days in late January likely doomed the Flames’ at-large chances. Never forget that this team scored just 14 points in a half to lose at Stetson.
Speaking of Stetson, the three-headed freshman monster of Rob Perry, Mahamadou Diawara, and Joel Kabimba looks like it will be a force in this league for years to come, as Donnie Jones did a stellar job in his first year there (runner-up for Coach of the Year). Elsewhere, NJIT tanked aggressively, only making the ASUN Tournament due to Kennesaw State taking the season off while waiting for its heralded 2020 recruiting class (the recruiting class part is not a joke). North Florida was the nation’s best ATS team (22-7!!!), while Lipscomb clawed its way to the three-seed despite massive turnover from last year, both on the roster and in the coaching ranks.
Tournament Preview
Liberty went on the road to Lipscomb in the ASUN Championship last season, winning the title in the Bisons’ home digs. The rest of the league will attempt to return the favor to Liberty this year, with the 2-seed, North Florida, being the clear top contender. Liberty is undefeated at home this year, so it’s going to take a huge effort from the Ospreys (or anyone else) to seize a ticket to the Big Dance.
Stetson and Lipscomb both knocked off Liberty this year, as well, so the road is not without its speed bumps. The most likely scenario is definitely the Flames attempting to win a first round NCAA Tournament game for back-to-back seasons, but I think the funky UNF style on both ends of the court can make things extremely interesting.
Liberty looks like a 13 seed should they win, while UNF has a shot at 15. Everyone else would be a lock for a 16.
Tournament Predictions
(1) Liberty over (8) NJIT
(4) Stetson over (5) North Alabama
(3) Lipscomb over (6) FGCU
(2) North Florida over (7) Jacksonville
(1) Liberty over (4) Stetson
(2) North Florida over (3) Lipscomb
(2) North Florida over (1) Liberty