Jacksonville vs Bellarmine Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions
Atlantic Sun Tournament Final Features Rare Scenario
Winner Not Guaranteed NCAA Slot
The winner of Tuesday’s Atlantic Sun tournament final will not automatically go to the NCAA Tournament. That’s right. Normally, a conference tournament championship game would punch the winner’s ticket, but that’s not necessarily the case here — at least not for Bellarmine when it faces Jacksonville.
Bellarmine is in a transition period as the school becomes a Division I program. It is not yet eligible for the NCAA Tournament and won’t be a factor on the March Madness odds.
Therefore, even though it is in the championship game of a tournament it which it was allowed to partake, Bellarmine is not going to go to March Madness if it beats Jacksonville.
Therefore, one has to wonder if Bellarmine will go all-out in this game the same way Jacksonville will.
Jacksonville is in the tournament if it wins this game. However, if the Dolphins lose, conference regular-season champion Jacksonville State will go to the NCAA Tournament. It’s quite unusual, but this is where we are.
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Also check on these NCAAB betting lines.
Jacksonville Can Break 36-year Drought
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Jacksonville. The Dolphins haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 1986.
Jacksonville is coming off an upset of Atlantic Sun regular-season champion Jacksonville State in the tournament semifinals. Keep in mind that this was not a City of Jacksonville rivalry.
Jacksonville University is located in Jacksonville, Fla., while Jacksonville State University is in the state of Alabama.
Jacksonville is playing its best basketball at the right time and hopes to continue its momentum for one more game, but this contest will be played in Louisville, Ky., Bellarmine’s home city.
It will not be an easy assignment, but getting to this stage was not easy to begin with.
Bellarmine on the Rise
As a growing program that is just beginning to play in NCAA Division I, the Knights aren’t yet at a point where they can dream of playing in March Madness.
However, all the players on this team who aren’t eligible for the Big Dance can use a conference tournament championship as an occasion in which to build momentum for next season.
That’s when the Knights would indeed be able to play in America’s favorite bracketed tournament.
If you did doubt Bellarmine’s hunger in this conference tournament, those doubts should have flown out the window on Saturday.
Bellarmine played tremendous defense to contain a potent Liberty Flames offense in a 53-50 victory.
It was the kind of grinding, every-basket-is-earned game that is often seen during conference tournament week, and Bellarmine was able to come out on top.
Say this much for Bellarmine: It really and truly does have nothing to lose. The Knights are using that energy to great effect.
Jacksonville vs Bellarmine Head-to-Head
These teams met once in the regular season. Bellarmine hosted Jacksonville and won in overtime in late January.
A lot has happened in the six weeks since that meeting, so it’s the kind of game to throw out the window, especially since it was so close.
Jacksonville vs Bellarmine Game Information
- Game: Jacksonville Dolphins (21-9) vs. Bellarmine Knights (19-13)
- Location: Freedom Hall, Louisville, KY
- Day/Time: Tuesday, 5 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN2
Jacksonville vs Bellarmine Betting Lines
Jacksonville vs Bellarmine Prediction
With Bellarmine ineligible for the NCAA Tournament, it’s a moment in which they might be the more relaxed team, but Jacksonville will be the hungrier team. That dynamic is important to know if you bet online.
It doesn’t mean Bellarmine won’t fight, but it does mean Jacksonville will likely fight harder. Jacksonville will win. Take them with your college basketball picks.
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