SoCon Hoops Tourney: Asheville Hosts March Madness

The Southern Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments will return to the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, commencing March 5. The women's tournament is scheduled to start on March 5, followed by the men's tournament on March 6. Several standout players are expected to shine, including Samford's Jadin Booth, who leads the conference with 21 points per game, and Mercer's Baraka Okojie, averaging five assists per game. The men's bracket appears wide open, with ETSU entering on a two-game losing streak despite winning the regular season title.

Western Carolina emerges as a potent sleeper team, carrying a six-game winning streak into the tournament. On the women's side, ETSU is considered the favorite, having won 10 of its last 11 games. Key players for the top-seeded Mocs include Caia Elisaldez and Gianna Corbitt, while Wofford's Gabby Mundy is the second-highest scorer. The championship games are slated for March 8 and March 9, offering fans thrilling conclusion to the tournaments.