BOTTOM LINE: Alabama State and Saint Francis (PA) play in the NCAA Tournament First Four round. The Hornets are 15-6 against SWAC opponents and 4-9 in non-conference play. Alabama State ranks ninth in the SWAC with 11.8 assists per game led by Antonio Madlock averaging 2.6.

Auburn basketball got its wish, but it came at a marginal cost. The Tigers were named the No. 1 overall seed in this year's NCAA Tournament on Sunday, but with their draw, they'll be one of four teams that must wait to find out who their first opponent is in round of 64 play.

Not even Mother Nature could get in Saint Francis’ way of hosting a watch party for the March Madness Selection Show Sunday afternoon. She did her best as an early afternoon storm caused a tree to fall down near the entrance to campus blocking that entirely as

CJ Hines scored 20 points and No. 5 seed Alabama State pulled away late to beat No. 2 seed Jackson State 60-56 on Saturday night in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament championship and clinched its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011.

Two good defenses mean someone has to grab some caroms, and our expert college basketball predictions expect Jackson State's Romeo Mansel to take care of business against Alabama State.

Jackson State basketball fell to Alabama State 60-56 in SWAC tournament final Saturday night. The Tigers were aiming for their first SWAC title since 2007.