Atlantic Sun Basketball

On Monday, Belmont pulled off the Atlantic Sun's 4th major upset of the season, beating Alabama 85-83 in Tuscaloosa. Add in Belmont's win over Cincinatti (86-75), Gardner-Webb's win over Kentucky (84-68), and Mercer's 96-81 win over USC, and the question must be raised: How good is this conference?

The answer is: top heavy and not very good at all. They've been able to pull off these early season upsets because players are experienced within each school's system. First, they have established coaches (not a 1st year coach making a job switch). Second While top notch programs reload each season with top notch recruits (that immediately earn playing time), the smaller conferences need to allow their freshman time to grow and mature. This results in the more experienced players being on the floor at the Mid-Major level and below.

So is the A-Sun destined for big things this March? I highly doubt it. Expect a 1st round ousting for whoever comes out of this conference.