The Sun Belt Conference Basketball Tournament at Pensacola Bay Center is delivering exactly the kind of drama fans come for — and Friday’s military appreciation day promises even more.
I talked this morning with Pensacola Sports CEO Ray Palmer, live from the arena, to break down a stunning Thursday upset and look ahead to a weekend packed with basketball, community events, and plenty of local flavor.
South Alabama Women Stun the Field
Thursday’s biggest story wasn’t just an upset — it was a masterclass in resilience. South Alabama’s women’s team advanced despite being without its top three scorers, relying on backups to step up in crunch time.
- “Not just down three players, down their top three scorers,” Palmer said. “For them to stay in there and have their backups play as hard as they did — especially in clutch time when the game got close — these are players that aren’t used to being put in the game in crunch time like they were yesterday. They didn’t back down one second.”
The Jaguars won by 10 points and now face No. 5 seed Marshall at 11:30 a.m. Friday as the 12th seed. University of Louisiana Monroe, which knocked off Southern Mississippi, also advances as an underdog, setting up a compelling women’s bracket day.
Military Appreciation Day at the Bay Center
Friday is military appreciation day at the Bay Center, with discounted tickets available for service members and their entire groups.
“I think it’s $6 for anybody in the military,” Palmer noted. “We love our military and our community. The games get a little bit better every day.”
On the men’s side, Southern Mississippi and South Alabama are both in action, giving the region plenty of hometown rooting interests. Marshall’s famously passionate fan base is also making its presence felt.
“Marshall, we all know, travels so well,” Palmer said. “They come in, in their green — it should be a really, really strong day.”
Saturday’s FanFest: Free, Fun, and Family-Friendly
Saturday brings FanFest to the Bay Center — a free community festival open to everyone, whether or not you’re registered for the Dribble Drive youth basketball event.
Local band Loaded GOAT will perform, and the Sun Belt Conference’s signature drumline — a fan favorite — returns to the stage.
“If you’ve never seen the drumline, don’t miss them. They are absolutely amazing,” Palmer said.
Walk-up spots for kids who missed the Dribble Drive registration will also be available. And for the early risers, the McGuire’s Run takes place Saturday morning, with at least a costume or two expected among participants.
GAME SCHEDULE
Women’s
11:30 a.m. (5) Marshall vs. (12) South Alabama
2 p.m. (6) Old Dominion vs. (10) ULM – 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 (Quarterfinals)
Game 9 – (4) James Madison vs. Winner Game 7 – 12:00 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 10 – (3) Arkansas State vs. Winner Game 8 – 2:30 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Sunday, March 8 (Semifinals)
Game 11 – (1) Georgia Southern vs. Winner Game 9 – 11:30 a.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 12 – (2) Troy vs. Winner Game 10 – 2 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Monday, March 9 (Championship)
Game 13 – Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 – 1 p.m. CT [ESPNU]
Men’s
5:00 p.m. No. 5 Texas State vs. No. 8 Southern Miss
7:30 p.m. No. 6 South Alabama vs. No. 10 Georgia Southern
Saturday, March 7
Game 9 – (4) App State vs. Winner Game 7 – 5:30 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 10 – (3) Coastal Carolina vs. Winner Game 8 – 8 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Sunday, March 8
Game 11 – (1) Troy vs. Winner Game 9 – 5 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 12 – (2) Marshall vs. Winner Game 10 – 7:30 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Monday, March 9 (Championship)
Game 13 – Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 – 6 p.m. CT [ESPN2]
