Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament – Semifinal Preview

2021 GSAC Tournament Bracket

Quarterfinals

February 24th

#5 Edaward Waters def. #4 Rust

#7Tougaloo lost to @ #2 Xavier

#6 Philander Smith beats #3 Dillard due to Dillard Forfeit

Semifinals

February 25th (Jacksonville, Fl)

#5 Edward Waters vs #1 Talladega 6pm CT Live Video

#2 Xavier vs #6 Philander Smith 2pm CT Live Video

Finals

February 27th (Jacksonville, Fl)

League Notes:

The top seed: #11 Talladega
NAIA Locks: Talladega
NAIA Bubble Teams: Xavier
Best chances to win this tournament: Talladega, Xavier

Possible sleeper: Philander Smith

KEY PLAYERS:

Rayshawn Mart – Xavier: 22.5ppg, 6.8rpg, 3.21spg

Still one of the best in players in the NAIA. Plays both sides of the ball and really competes. Not sure there is anyone who means more to his team than what Mart does for Xavier!

Darryl Baker – Talladega: 16.2ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.1apg

Preseason GCAC Player of the Year and lived up to it. Will be interesting to see how the league votes. The All-American is tough and if Talladega is going to make a National Tournament run, you can believe that Baker will have a huge impact on that!

Dejalin Austin – Philander Smith: 15.4ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.2apg

Austin has been really good for Philander Smith. We won’t see him in the opening round now, but he’s one to watch in that Semifinal game! Smooth guard who can fill it up!

KEY TEAMS:

#1 Talladega – They dominated the GCAC Group Play this season. One of the top teams in the country. They have looked locked in defensively.

#2 Xavier – Still need some help to make the NAIA National Tournament. Dillard out may help them, but need to at least make the GCAC Finals to keep bubble hopes alive.

UPSET SPECIAL:

#6 Philander Smith – They get a bye with the Dillard forfeit. With just 2 wins a way from a GCAC Tourney Title, we will take a shot on Dejalin Austin and crew.

Semifinal Game Notes:

#5 Edward Waters vs #1 Talladega 6pm CT Live Video

Talladega 1-0

Talladega won the regular season matchup by 11. They have been locked in and great defensively the latter part of the season. They do have a road game today though as EWC hosts the GCAC Semifinals.

#2 Xavier vs #6 Philander Smith 2pm CT Live Video

Xavier 1-0

Xavier got the two point win over Philander in the 1st GCAC Group play stage. With Rayshawn Mart and Dejalin Austin going at it today, you should expect another great game between the two teams.

OTHER NOTES:

GCAC Tournament Guide

The GCAC is a (1) bid league: The GCAC Tournament Champion will get the auto-bid

Best Opening Round Matchup: #6 Philander Smith vs #2 XULA.

Our Pick To Win It: Xavier – Talladega has looked really tough this season and win or lose they qualify for the National Tournament. XULA won the GCAC Tournament last year on their home court. If they are going to knock off Talladega, they are going to need to be locked in and ready to go!