What to know about ASUN basketball, team capsules, schedule, tickets

Story by

Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union

Mon, Mar 2, 2026 ·

12 min read

The road to the NCAA Tournament for the ASUN men's and women's basketball teams begins in Jacksonville (the conference's headquarters since last year), March 3-9 at three venues, capped by championship games that will be aired on national TV and will send the winners to the NCAA Tournament.

They're part of a crowded March sports calendar on the First Coast, with champions to be crowned in basketball, running, the PGA Tour and the Epson Tour.

ASUN tickets: Dates, venues, and prices for both conference tournaments

Central Arkansas tops the men's field and Eastern Kentucky the women's as 24 teams begin playing under the one-and-one pressure in the postseason. The next loss for most of the ASUN teams will be their last game of the 2025-26 season, except those finishing with a winning record and have a chance to be invited to events such as the NIT, the College Basketball Invitational, or the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

A bracket is displayed in the lobby before the game of the quarterfinal round of the ASUN men’s basketball tournament at Swisher Gymnasium Monday, March 2, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Since all of the ASUN teams play rugged non-conference schedules against the SEC, ACC, Big Ten and Big 12, only four men's teams and seven women's teams enter the tournament with records above .500. The reality is except for the men's team that will win the championship on March 8 and the women's team on March 9 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, the First Coast will be their last stop.

Here's what to know about the ASUN Tournaments:

ASUN Men's tournament field

(listed by seeding)

1. Central Arkansas University Bears

Record:20-11.

Coach:John Shulman, 2nd year (28-35).

Central Arkansas won 13 of its last 14 games to clinch the No. 1 seed in this week's ASUN men's basketball tournament in Jacksonville.

Top players:Senior G Camren Hunter (19.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg); freshman guard Ty Robinson (14.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg).

Notable:All three conference losses for the Bears came in overtime games on the road, to Florida Gulf Coast, Bellarmine and Eastern Kentucky. They won 13 of their last 14 games, including the 93-88 victory at Austin Peay that was the tie-breaker for the No. 1 seed.

2. Austin Peay University Governors

Record:21-8

Coach:Corey Gipson, 3rd year (76-53).

Top players:Graduate F Collin Parker (18.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg); freshman guard Zyree Collins (13.5 ppg, 4.3 apg).

Notable:APU had firm control of first place with a 10-game winning streak, but fell into a tie with Central Arkansas with two losses to end the season, giving up 93 points to the Bears and 111 to Bellarmine.

3. Queens University Royals

Record:18-13

Coach:Grant Leonard, 4th year (70-62).

Top players:Senior G Nasir Mann (13.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg); sophomore G Yoav Berman (13.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg).

Notable:The Royals are streaky. They won their first six conference games, dropped three in a row, then won six of seven. Queens led the conference in scoring (84.7 points per game) but was 11th in scoring defense (allowing 83.3 points per game).

4. Lipscomb University Bison

Record:19-12

Coach:Kevin Carroll, 1st year.

Top players: Graduate F Grant Asman (14.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg); junior G Ross Candelino (11.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg).

Notable: Candelino led Ponte Vedra High in scoring as a senior. He transferred to Lipscomb from Wisconsin, where he was an academic All-Big Ten.

5. Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles

Record:14-17.

Coach:Pat Chambers, 4th year (64-65).

Top players:Graduate F J.R. Konieczyny (15.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg); junior G Rahmir Barno (11.5 ppg, 5.1 apg).

Florida Gulf Coast Eagles guard Rahmir Barno (1) makes a lay up as Oral Roberts Golden Eagles forward Ofri Naveh (9) chases him during the second half of a GEICO Coconut Hoops Tournament Tarpon Bay division game at Alico Arena on Fort Myers, Fla., on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.

Notable:The Eagles led the ASUN in rebounding with 36.7 per game and were second to EKU in offensive rebounds with 1.9 per game.

6. West Georgia University Wolves

Record:14-16.

Coach:David Moore, 8th year (122-109).

Top players:Senior F Shelton Williams-Dryden (20.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg); junior G Josh Smith (16.0 ppg, 2.1 apg).

Notable:Behind 6-foot-10 junior JaVar Daniel (1.8 blocks per game) and 6-9 freshman Kenneth Chime (1.6), the Wolves led the ASUN with 5.1 blocked shots per game.

7. Eastern Kentucky University Colonels

Record:11-20.

Coach:A.W. Hamilton, 8th season (133-122).

Top players:Sophomore G Juan Crawford Jr. (12.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg); graduate F Montavious Myrick (11.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg).

Notable:For once, another team in the ASUN besides North Florida led in 3-pointers attempted (991) and made (348).

8. Bellarmine University Knights

Record:12-18.

Coach:Doug Davenport, 1st year.

Top players:Senior F Jack Karasinski (21.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg); senior F Brian Waddell (15.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg).

Notable:The Knights' motion offense produced the ASUN's best team shooting percentage (52.1). No other team shot 50 percent or better. However, Bellarmine was 11th of 12 teams in opponent shooting (48.2).

9. Jacksonville University Dolphins

Record:12-19.

Coach:Jordan Mincy, 5th year (81-76).

University of North Florida BJ Plummer (1) defends Jacksonville University guard Hayden Wood (8) during the second period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. JU defeated UNF 85-61. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Top players:Freshman G Hayden Wood (11.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg); junior G Jaylen Jones (9.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg).

Notable:The Dolphins overcame a mid-season four-game losing streak and won three of their last five games. The two losses were by a combined six points.

10. Stetson University Hatters

Record:11-20.

Coach:Donnie Jones, 7th year (97-122).

Top players:Sophomore G Jamie Phillips Jr (16.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg); junior G Ethan Copeland (14.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg).

Notable:The Hatters could never get momentum during the conference season, failing to win two or more games in a row at any point.

11. University of North Florida Ospreys

Record:7-24.

Coach:Bobby Kennen, 1st year.

Jacksonville University center Charles Caporaso (22) passes under pressure from University of North Florida Nestor Dyachok (24) and University of North Florida Kamrin Oriol (11) during the first period. University of North Florida hosted Jacksonville University hosted in mens basketball SaturdayFebruary 28, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Top players:Senior G Kamrin Oriol (20.5 ppg, 4.3 apg); sophomore G Kent Jackson (14.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg).

Notable:The Ospreys dropped nine ASUN games by single-digit margins.

12. University of North Alabama Lions

Record:9-20.

Coach:Tony Pujol, 8th year (110-133).

Top players:Senior F Donte Bacchus (15.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg); junior G Canin Jefferson (12.8 ppg, 2.7 apg).

Notable:The Lions have been offensively challenged all season, finishing last in the conference in scoring (69.8) and field-goal percentage (43.5).

ASUN Men's Tournament schedule

(All games on ESPN+ unless otherwise noted)

March 4

First round

At UNF Arena

No. 8 Bellarmine vs. No. 9 Jacksonville, 12 p.m.

No. 5 Florida Gulf Coast vs. No. 12 North Alabama, 2:30 p.m.

No. 7 Eastern Kentucky vs. No. 10 Stetson, 5 p.m.

At Swisher Gym

No. 6 West Georgia vs. No. 11 North Florida, 7:30 p.m.

March 6

Quarterfinals

At VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

No. 1 Central Arkansas vs. Bellarmine-Jacksonville winner, 12 p.m.

No. 4 Lipscomb vs. Florida Gulf Coast-North Alabama winner, 2:30 p.m.

No. 2 Austin Peay vs. Eastern Kentucky-Stetson winner, 5 p.m.

No. 3 Queens vs. West Georgia-North Florida winner, 7:30 p.m.

March 7

Semifinals

At VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

5 and 7:30 p.m.

March 8

Championship, 2 p.m. (ESPN2)

ASUN women's tournament field

(listed by seeding)

1. Eastern Kentucky University Colonels

Record:24-7.

Coach:Greg Todd, sixth year (100-61).

Top players:Graduate F Joseana Vaz (14.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg); freshman G Liz Freihofer (12.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg).

Notable:The Colonels supplanted Florida Gulf Coast as the regular-season champions with a high-powered offense that leads the ASUN with 73.6 points per game. But EKU defends the perimeter, allowing only 26 percent on 3-point attempts.

2. Jacksonville University Dolphins

Record:21-8.

Coach:Special Jennings, third year (46-45).

Jacksonville University guard Priscilla Williams (23) shoots over University of North Florida forward Dezuray McGill (30) in the fourth period Friday February 27, 2026 at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Top players:Senior G Priscilla Williams (15.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg); freshman G Tatum Brown (10.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg).

Notable:The Dolphins won 10 of their last 11 games. JU leads the conference with 10.3 steals per game and is second to Eastern Kentucky in scoring with 72.9 points per game. Williams is second in scoring in the ASUN and first in rebounding. However, JU will be without Williams Aniah Smith and Comari Mitchell for their first game against the UNF-West Georgia winner in the quarterfinals.

3. Central Arkansas University Sugar Bears

Record:20-10.

Coach:Tony Kemper third year (64-32).

Top players:Graduate G Shae Littleford (14.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); junior G Cheyanne Kemp (13.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg).

Notable:The Sugar Bears are the top defense in the ASUN, leading in fewest points allowed per game (57.1) and field-goal percentage (35 percent).

4. Stetson University Hatters

Record:19-10.

Coach:Lynn Bria, 18th year (317-250).

Top players:Senior G Cameron Thomas (16.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg); graduate G Mary McMillan (14.2 ppg, 4.2 apg).

Notable:The Hatters are second to Austin Peay in field-goal percentage at 43.2 percent and West Georgian in 3-point percentage at 32.7 percent. Thomas leads the ASUN in scoring.

Raina Harmon throws a "Wings Up" as she's introduced as the new head coach for Florida Gulf Coast's women's basketball team at The Boardwalk restaurant in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

5. Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles

Record:15-16.

Coach:Raina Harmon, first year.

Top players:Sophomore G Sinai Douglas (11.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg); graduate F Nav Staton (10.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg).

Notable:The Eagles failed to win the ASUN regular season championship for the first time since 2017.

6. University of North Alabama Lions

Record:16-13.

Coach:Candi Whitaker, second year (39-40).

Top players:Senior G Alexsandra Alvarado (13.9 ppg, 3.7 ppg); sophomore F Sofia Ceppelotti (11.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg).

Notable:Alvarado scored 39 points to lead the Lions over West Georgia 118-107 in an ASUN and school record four overtimes on Feb. 27. There were 38 lead changes in the game.

7. West Georgia University Wolves

Record:17-12.

Coach:Joanna Reitz, second year (30-29).

Top players:Sophomore G Asia Donald (14.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg); junior G Sydne Tolbert (14.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

Notable:The Wolves closed the season with three losses in a row. West Georgia leads the ASUN with a 33.2 percentage in 3-point shooting.

8. Lipscomb University Bison

Record:10-19.

Coach:Lauren Sumski, 7th year (96-109).

Top players:Senior G Molly Heard (14.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg); junior G Makayla Miller (12.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg).

Notable:Lipscomb had difficulty taking care of the ball, ranking only ahead of Bellarmine in turnover margin (-2.9), with 18.4 per game.

9. Austin Peay University Governors

Record:16-12.

Coach:Brittany Young, 5th year (82-71).

Top players:Sophomore G Anovia Sheals (14.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg); freshman G Jim'Miyah Branton (10.3 ppg, 3.9 apg).

Notable:Say this for the Governors — they block out. Austin Peay leads the ASUN in fewest rebounds for opponents at 29.8 per game. APU also is second in the ASUN in scoring defense, allowing 58.9 points per game.

10. University of North Florida Ospreys

Record:9-20.

Coach:Erika Lambert, 3rd year (23-67).

University of North Florida guard Jamisyn Stinson (1) blocks a shot by Jacksonville University guard Comari Mitchell (5) in the third period. Jacksonville University hosted University of North Florida in women's basketball Friday February 27, 2026 at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Top players:Junior G Alonya Waldron (11.0 ppg, 2.6 apg); sophomore G Jamisyn Stinson (10.3 ppg, 3.4 apg).

Notable:The Ospreys have lost eight of their last nine games but seven of the losses were by single-digit margins, including twice to Jacksonville.

11. Queens University Royals

Record:10-19.

Coach:Jen Brown, 5th year (35-81).

Top players:Graduate G Jermany Mapp (11.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg); senior G Dayuna Colvin (9.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg).

Notable:The Royals never recovered from a seven-game losing streak early in the ASUN schedule. They are 11th in scoring (59.5 points per game) and 10th in scoring defense (allowing 67.9 per game.

12. Bellarmine University Knights

Record:2-29.

Coach:Monique Reid, 1st year.

Top players:Junior G Triniti Ralston (13.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg); sophomore forward Kayce Hyman (10.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg).

Notable:The Knights' last victory was Nov. 19, 104 days ago.

ASUN Women's Tournament schedule

(All games on ESPN+ unless otherwise noted)

March 3

First round

At UNF Arena

No. 8 Lipscomb vs. No. 9 Austin Peay, 12 p.m.

No. 5 Florida Gulf Coast vs. No. 12 Bellarmine, 2:30 p.m.

No. 6 North Alabama vs. No. 11 Queens, 7:30 p.m.

At Swisher Gym

No. 7 West Georgia vs. No. 10 North Florida, 5 p.m.

March 5

Quarterfinals

At VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

No. 1 Eastern Kentucky vs. Lipscomb-Austin Peay winner, 12 p.m.

No. 4 Stetson vs. Florida Gulf Coast-Bellarmine winner, 2:30 p.m.

No. 2 Jacksonville vs. West Georgia-North Florida winner, 5 p.m.

No. 3 Central Arkansas vs. North Alabama-Queens winner, 7:30 p.m.

March 7

At VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Semifinals, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

March 9

At VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Championship, 5 p.m. (ESPNU).

Where to get ASUN Tournament tickets

Tickets are on sale by visiting asunsports.org/tickets.

First-round sessions, UNF Arena, Swisher Gym (men's and women's): Premium seating, $75; general admission, $25; seniors/military, $20; ASUN students, $10; Group rate (20 or more), $10.
Men's quarterfinal, semifinal and championship sessions, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena: Premium seating, $400; general admission, $100; senior/military, $85.
Women's quarterfinal, semifinal and championship sessions, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena: Premium seating, $275; general admission, $75; senior/military, $65.
Men's single session, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (quarterfinals, semifinals or championship games): Premium seating, $150; general admission, $40; senior/military, $35; ASUN student, $10; group rate, $20 (20 or more).
Women's single session, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (quarterfinals, semifinals or championship games): Premium seating, $100; general admission, $30; senior/military, $25; ASUN student, $10; group rate, $15 (20 or more).
Age 2 and under admitted free to all games.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What fans need to know about ASUN men's and women's basketball tournaments