Gulf South Conference tournament returns to Samford

The Gulf South Conference, which is headquartered in Hoover, will hold the semifinals and finals of the men’s and women’s basketball tournament at the Pete Hanna Center on the campus of Samford University March 6-7.

Postseason action starts with the quarterfinals on Tuesday, March 3, on campus sites, with the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 seeds hosting those games. Winners then advance to Homewood. The champions receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II tournament.

Schools in the Gulf South include state institutions the University of North Alabama, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of West Alabama. Other schools include Christian Brothers, Delta State, Shorter, West Florida, Union, West Georgia and Valdosta State. 

Lee and Mississippi College are league members but are transitioning to Division II and are not yet eligible for postseason play.

This is the third consecutive season the tournament has been held at Samford. Last season, North Alabama won the men’s title, beating Christian Brothers 79-73. West Florida beat Delta State 67-59 for the women’s title.

The women’s semifinals will be at noon and 2:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by the men’s semis at 5 and 7:30. The finals Saturday will be at 1 p.m. for the women and 4:30 p.m. for the men. The games can be viewed online on ESPN3.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for students with ID, and children 5 and under are free.