Filled with potential: Jaguars a potential threat in post-season play

In the words of Future, “We balling like its March Madness.” Undoubtedly this is one of the most exciting times in collegiate sports. With the tournament just hours away, our own Men’s basketball team is in the tournament. After being banned for the last two years due to APR issues the Jags haven’t been partakers in the tournament since 2013. That year they finished 23-10, won the SWAC, and gave number one seed Gonzaga University a run for its money; before succumbing to the Bulldogs late 58-64.
Fast-forward three years later, after players transferred because of post-season bans; the Jags are back in March Madness. SU leads the SWAC with the most appearances in the tournament with 9. They finished the season 22-12 overall and 12-6 in conference play. They won this year’s SWAC tournament this past weekend against bordering foe Jackson State. That win qualifies as an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament. In essence, winning your conference automatically locks you in the tournament. One would think that SU would have to play a number one seed again and possibly upset them. However, this year the Jags must play a play-in game.
Yes, a play-in game. Sort of like a tie breaker so to speak. The play in game started in 2001, with just one per year. It then grew to four play-in games in 2011 when the NCAA announced the field would grow from 64 to 68 teams. Even though they won their conference the Jags must play another 16 seed and that will determine if they will actually play in the tournament as a whole. SU is set to take on Holy Cross University who finished the regular season 14-19 overall and just 5-13 in conference play. Should this be a win for Southern? Yes. Does it help to play this game? Yes, it serves as a tune up game to correct any mistakes before playing top seeded Oregon. However, playing this game can be a bad thing as well. In the period of the season when you want your best players fresh, playing an extra game could wear your players down before the tournament officially starts. Playing this game is obsolete. It contradicts what the tournament is about, “win and you’re in.” When you win your conference championship why should you have to be forced to play a play-in game? Especially for the HBCU’s who alternate the play in games on a yearly basis. Last year Hampton University had to play in a paly-in game; this year Southern. Florida A&M University has been in the play-in game twice, 2004 and 2007. Just food for thought. Southern has had success in the tournament as a low seed. In 1993 they defeated ACC Conference Champion Georgia Tech as a 13 seed, and just three years ago they almost made history being the first sixteen seed to dethrone a number one seed. Oregon beware.