It’s been the mantra for the Georgia Southern Eagles all season long – “three games in March” – and March is finally here.

The Georgia Southern Eagles enter the 2010 Southern Conference basketball tournament as big-time underdogs, but none of that matters now.

Before the season started, GSU coach Charlton Young broke things down into three separate parts – the first season was the non-conference schedule, the second season was the regular season, and now, the third season starts in Charlotte, N.C. as the tournament begins with a date against the Chattanooga Mocs.

“We’re happy about being undefeated right now. We’re undefeated in tournament play, so we’re going to play our butts off to remain undefeated,” Young said. “We’re going to take it 20 minutes at a time. That’s going to be our philosophy.”

The No. 3 seed Mocs (14-17, 6-12 SoCon) haven’t had the easiest go of things lately, dropping seven of their last eight regular-season contests. A lot has changed since they defeated the Eagles 75-63 on January 6.

“It’s kind of hard to gauge,” said Young about UTC. “They’re a totally different team and we’re a totally different team, but we’re excited about the challenge of getting Chattanooga. I think losing to them the first time will add more motivation for us to play well. We’re a team that’s on the elevator going up. Not every team in the league can say that right now.”

The Eagles dropped the last regular-season game – an 81-79 decision at UNC Greensboro in which GSU trailed by as many as 20 in the second half – but have won three of the last five including the first road win of the season at Samford on Feb. 22.

“If we’d have had another minute I think we would have left with another big road win,” Young said about the trip to UNCG. “Our guys were hurt after that game, and they really learned that going into the tournament you can’t spot people points the way we have.”

The other loss in the span was an overtime affair in Hanner Fieldhouse against No. 1 seed Wofford.

Much of GSU’s recent success has come from the offensive output of the current starting five – Willie Powers, Ben Drayton, Antonio Hanson, Colby Wohlleb and Rory Spencer – but what the team gains in scoring, it loses on the other side of the court. Success in the tournament is dependant upon that group’s ability to crash the boards.

“They make us a much better offensive team,” said Young about the starting five. “We can score with anybody with that group on the floor, but what it does is it weakens us defensively. I think our X-factor is, that group just has to find a way to defend and rebound better.”

Coming in with the No. 6 seed, the Eagles (9-22, 6-12) will have to fight an uphill battle to advance in the tournament. The winner of today’s 9:30 p.m. game will have to face No. 2 College of Charleston on Saturday. The Citadel, Samford and Appalachian State are also on GSU’s side of the bracket. The Eagles went a combined 3-5 against the teams from their half of the bracket during the regular season.

Not that it matters today.

“The only thing I’ve been able to think about is Chattanooga,” said Young. “You’re going to have to beat them all no matter what. I think we have enough data from the season and we know the best way to play the opposing teams.”

Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9408.