GCAC Tournament – Championship 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 27th (Jacksonville, Fl)

#5 Edward Waters 70 vs #1 Talladega 73

#2 Xavier 74 vs #6 Philander Smith 50

Finals

February 28th (Jacksonville, Fl)

#1 Talladega vs #2 Xavier 4:40pm ET Live Video

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 – Eliminated

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!

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 – Eliminated in semifinals

GCAC Championship Game Notes:

#1 Talladega vs #2 Xavier 4:40pm ET Live Video

Talladega 1-0

Dega went into the 2nd GCAC Group play and beat Xavier on their home court. They got after it defensively and really looked tough. If they can defend like that again they will win this game. Don’t count out Xavier though, the defending GCAC Tournament Champions play good defense in their own right. They completely shut down Darryl Baker (5pts) and Troy Hutson (7pts) last game. However, Dega was able to prove they had some depth as they had other step up and carry the load to help them win the GCAC Regular Season Title. This game will feature two of the best players in the NAIA in Rayshawn Mart and Darryl Baker. Both are capable of getting lose and taking over a game. Going to be fun to see what adjustments are made from the last game and how each coach handles the runs. Xavier currently sits on the bubble, so a win and they can relax on National Tournament Selection day next week.

OTHER NOTES:

GCAC Tournament Guide

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

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!