One team looks to keep their season alive on Monday afternoon. As Alcorn State plays Alabama State in the first round of the SWAC Tournament.

Game Details

• Matchup: Alcorn State Braves (8-22, 7-11) vs. Alabama State Hornets (10-21, 7-11)
• Date & Time: March 9, 2026, 2:00 PM ET
• Venue: Gateway Center, Arena, College Park
• Broadcast: ESPN+

The Metrics

KenPom Rankings	Alcorn St.	Alabama St.
Offensive	349th	325th
Defensive	328th	257th
Ad. Tempo (Possessions)	67.4 (182nd)	69.4 (74th)
Quad 1 Record	0-0	0-0

Head‑to‑Head & Betting Trends

• Alabama State won 81–66 on January 12, 2026, at Alabama State.
• Alcorn State (ATS): 16–12–0
• Alabama State (ATS): 13–16–0

The Line 

Closing spread: Alabama State -6.5 (Alcorn +6.5). 

Total: 142.5–143.5 depending on book. 

Groms Analysis

The market is pricing Alabama State as a clear favorite (about a one‑possession edge plus a half‑point). The combination of more small bets on Alcorn but the line still favoring Alabama State suggests sharper/larger money is on Alabama State. The books didn’t move because they were confident in that side or matched liability. Watch for late movement: any late shift of a full point or more toward Alcorn would indicate heavy public money; a move toward Alabama State would confirm additional sharp action.

Alcorn State Top 5 Players

1. Tycen McDaniels (11.9 pts, 5.8 reb — team leader, 1.0 ast, 1.3 stl, 1.1 blk, 54.0% FG, 76.8% FT).

2. Shane Lancaster (11.3 pts, 2.2 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.0 stl, 43.1% FG, 44.8% 3PT).

3. Jameel Morris (10.3 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.9 ast — team assist leader, 2.1 stl, 44.0% FG, 78.1% FT).

4. Davian Williams (8.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.3 ast, 39.9% FG, 59.3% FT).

5. Nick Woodard (8.0 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.3 ast, 36.5% FG, 68.9% FT).  Alcorn St… +1

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Alabama State Top 5 Players

1. Asjon Anderson (15.3 pts, 2.4 reb, 3.5 ast, 0.9 stl, 34.9% FG, 83.2% FT).

2. Micah Simpson (13.7 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.6 ast — team assist leader, 1.4 stl, 35.5% FG, 75.9% FT).

3. Tyler Byrd (10.3 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.7 stl, 46.7% FG, 76.8% FT).

4. Jerquarius Stanback (8.4 pts, 5.4 reb — team rebound leader, 0.7 ast, 1.9 blk, 53.2% FG).

5. Trey Miller (7.3 pts, 2.0 reb, 4.0 ast, 1.7 stl, 37.5% FG, 50.0% FT).  Alabama S… +1

Preview

This game will be a physical, half‑court battle where possession value will decide the margin; Alcorn’s interior presence through Tycen McDaniels and Jerquarius Stanback’s rebounding clashes with Alabama State’s backcourt creation led by Asjon Anderson and Micah Simpson. Expect Alcorn to try to slow the game and attack inside early, using post touches and offensive rebounds to generate high‑percentage looks, while Alabama State will look to push when turnovers occur and manufacture points from its guards in late‑clock situations. On a neutral court the team that wins the rebound/second‑chance battle and protects the ball in the final five minutes should take control.

Groms Pick

Recent form suggests different fates, as Alcorn has shown sudden defensive lapses and blowouts. Whereas Alabama State has been competitive but lost several tight games, so I see Alabama State running away with this one.

Take Alabama State -6.5