What Is 2018 ASUN men's basketball tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 ASUN Men's Basketball Tournament was held from March 3 to March 7, 2018, featuring 8 teams, with Lipscomb defeating Jacksonville in the final to win their first title and earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

Key Facts

The 2018 ASUN Tournament took place from March 3–7, 2018.
Lipscomb won the championship by defeating Jacksonville 108–96 in the final.
This was Lipscomb’s first ASUN Tournament title since joining the conference.
Lipscomb earned the conference’s automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
The tournament featured 8 teams seeded by regular-season conference records.

Overview

The 2018 ASUN Men's Basketball Tournament was the postseason championship for the Atlantic Sun Conference, determining which team would receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Held annually, the tournament brings together the top teams from the ASUN's regular season for a single-elimination format.

This edition was particularly historic for Lipscomb University, which claimed its first ASUN title since transitioning to Division I. The tournament took place at campus sites, with higher seeds hosting each round, culminating in the championship game on March 7, 2018.

Lipscomb entered as the No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season with a 14–2 conference record, the best in the ASUN.
Jacksonville advanced to the final as the No. 4 seed, defeating higher-seeded teams including No. 1 seed Lipscomb in the semifinals via a 79–72 win.
The championship game was held on March 7, 2018, at Allen Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, hosted by Lipscomb.
Lipscomb defeated Jacksonville 108–96 in the final, reclaiming the title after a semifinal loss earlier in the week due to a scoring error that led to a controversial replay.
The game set a record for the highest-scoring championship game in ASUN Tournament history, showcasing an up-tempo, offense-driven style.

How It Works

The ASUN Tournament follows a structured format based on regular-season performance, with seeding determining hosting rights and matchups. Teams compete in a single-elimination bracket, progressing through quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship game.

Seeding: The top eight teams in the ASUN regular-season standings qualify and are seeded 1 through 8 based on conference win percentage.
Hosting Rights: Higher seeds host each round, giving teams like Lipscomb a significant home-court advantage during the 2018 tournament.
Bracket Format: The tournament uses a standard single-elimination structure, with quarterfinals on March 3, semifinals on March 5, and the final on March 7.
Automatic NCAA Bid: The winner receives the ASUN's automatic qualification to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, as Lipscomb did in 2018.
Controversial Replay: A scoring error in the semifinal between Lipscomb and Jacksonville led to a 10-minute replay of the final moments, a rare occurrence in college basketball.
Eligibility: Only ASUN member institutions are eligible, with teams required to meet NCAA Division I standards and conference participation rules.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key aspects of the 2018 ASUN Tournament with previous editions and other mid-major conferences:

Feature	2018 ASUN Tournament	2017 ASUN Tournament	Big South Tournament 2018	NEC Tournament 2018
Champion	Lipscomb	Florida Gulf Coast	Radford	LIU Brooklyn
Championship Score	108–96	67–62	65–63	74–68
Number of Teams	8	8	10	8
Championship Location	Allen Arena (Nashville, TN)	FGCU Arena (Fort Myers, FL)	Radford, VA	Brooklyn, NY
NCAA Tournament Result	Lipscomb lost to Florida in First Four, 60–57	FGC lost to Florida State, 86–80	Radford lost to Butler, 71–61	LIU lost to Villanova, 87–61

This comparison highlights how the 2018 ASUN Tournament stood out for its high-scoring final and dramatic replay scenario. While Lipscomb’s NCAA Tournament run ended quickly, their victory marked a milestone for the program and underscored the competitive nature of mid-major conferences.

Why It Matters

The 2018 ASUN Tournament had significant implications for participating teams, particularly in terms of national exposure and postseason opportunities. Its outcome influenced recruiting, program development, and conference perception.

Lipscomb’s first title validated years of investment in its basketball program after moving to Division I in 2005.
The controversial replay of 10 minutes sparked national conversation about scoring integrity and officiating protocols in college sports.
Winning the NCAA bid allowed Lipscomb to appear in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, facing Florida in the First Four.
The tournament showcased the competitive parity of mid-major conferences, with No. 4 seed Jacksonville reaching the final.
High-scoring games like the 108–96 final drew attention from sports media, increasing national visibility for the ASUN.
The event reinforced the importance of home-court advantage, as Lipscomb’s Allen Arena hosted multiple rounds and energized their fanbase.

The 2018 ASUN Men's Basketball Tournament remains a landmark event in conference history, remembered for its drama, record-breaking performance, and impact on program trajectories.