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November 9, 2009
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Index

 

Arkansas State, 13-7 (5-13 SBC)

Arkansas State had a season that looked promising at the halfway point. Starting off the season at 5-4 in the conference and 13-7 overall, the team looked to be on its way to its best season in three years. However, the second half of the season was not as good. They lost nine consecutive conference games and 10 overall to finish the year second to last in the SBC. The team was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by Middle Tennessee. Arkansas State will look to turn around this year and finish the season stronger. They come to Denver on New Year’s Eve to play the first of two games against DU.

 

Arkansas-Little Rock, 23-8 (15-3 SBC)

UALR is the power-house of the West Division of the SBC. They had the best regular season record for two consecutive years, and are looking to make it a third straight year. UALR is looking to accomplish something that has failed them for two straight years; a conference title. Last season, they lost to sixth seeded South Alabama in the semi-finals of the conference tournament. They were only able to net 44 points in a very disappointing 54-44 loss. UALR travels to Denver in mid-February to play the second game against Denver of the season. They play them on the road before.

 

Florida Atlantic, 6-26 (2-16 SBC)

FAU looks to bounce back after a very disappointing season. Finishing last in the SBC with a record of 2-16. The big thing that they need to focus on this season is their performance away from home. The team did not win any games on the road last season. They went 0-9 in conference games and 0-18 overall on the road. For this team to be successful, they are going to need to pick up their play when away from their home court. FAU will come to Denver in early February to play their only game against the Pioneers this year.

 

Florida International, 13-20 (7-11 SBC)

FIU hopes to expand on their success last season. They improved last year, although they were still not good enough to get deep into the Sun Belt playoffs. They were able to get past the first round of the playoffs, but after that they ran into eventual tournament champion, Western Kentucky. The team will need to improve on the road, as they went 2-7 on the road in conference games and 3-12 on the road overall. FIU will come to Denver in December to play their only game against the Pioneers this season.

 

Louisiana-Lafayette, 10-20 (7-11 SBC)

The Ragin’ Cajuns finished fourth in the West Division last season, after finishing in the bottom five of almost every major statistical category. For the second straight season, junior guard Chris Gradnigo represents the Cajuns on the SBC’s preseason second team. Last season Gradnigo led the team in scoring averaging 13.3 points per game. Senior power forward Tyren Johnson, who led the team in rebounding and blocks, looks to be a big contributor for the Cajuns once again. Gradnigo and Johnson lead a roster that has a majority of their players from last season.

 

Louisiana-Monroe, 10-20 (6-12 SBC)

After displaying a league-low field goal percentage on both offense and defense, the Warhawks finished sixth in the West Division. Last season, the Warhawks allowed teams to shoot .459 from the field. They didn’t do any better shooting the ball as they finished with a league low .404 field goal percentage. The Warhawks leaders play for a team of mostly junior college transfers or freshman who have no collegiate experience. This season if the Warhawks want to claw their way up the SBC West Division then they will have to grow more comfortable away from home.

 

Middle Tennessee, 18-14 (10-8 SBC)

The Blue Raiders are projected to finish third in East Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They are led by senior forward Desmond Yates. Yates has been on the Sun Belt Conference first team the past two seasons and was named to the Preseason All-Conference team two weeks ago. Last season the Blue Raiders led the SBC in turnover margin per game, averaging a positive 2.94 turnovers a game. Despite being stout defensively, the Blue Raiders finished fourth in the East Division and had an early exit from the SBC tournament.

 

New Orleans, 11-19 (6-12 SBC)

UNO had a mediocre season. After a slow start to the season, with four straight losses, the team rebounded fairly well. They were able to turn the season around to get into the playoffs with the eleventh seed. In the first round of the playoffs, they lost by two points to sixth seeded South Alabama. South Alabama would go on to finish second in the tournament. UNO returns this year, trying to expand on last year’s positives, and get deeper into the playoffs. They come to Denver in early January to play the Pioneers for the first time in the season.

 

North Texas, 20-12 (11-7 SBC)

NT comes off of three consecutive 10 win seasons. They look to expand on that this season and continue their success. One area that NT could look to improve on is their play away from home. They finished the year 5-4 in SBC play away from home and 7-6 overall. If they can find a way to win a couple more on the road next season, they will be able to get a higher seed going into the playoffs. They earned the No. 4 seed in the playoffs last year and made it all the way to the semi-finals. They lost to the eventual champion Western Kentucky by seven.

 

South Alabama, 20-13 (10-8 SBC)

South Alabama advanced all the way to the SBC tournament championship game only to lose to Western Kentucky 64-56 after a second half comeback. The Jaguars are predicted to finish No. 4 in the East Division, despite the success the program had the past two seasons. In 2008-09, South Alabama led the SBC in shooting, finishing with a .479 field goal percentage. Guard Tim Williams appears to be a playmaker on head coach Ronnie Arrow’s team, which lost their top two leading scorers from last season. Expect senior swingman LaShun Watson, who tallied 12 double-digit scoring performances last season, to be a top contributor.

 

Troy, 19-13 (14-4 SBC)

Troy is picked to finish second in the SBC East Division, which is the highest preseason ranking for the Trojans since they joined the SBC four years ago. The Trojans return four starters to a squad that has a total of nine players with collegiate experience. Senior guard Brandon Hazzard, who was voted to the SBC first team, leads the team as a captain and scoring leader. In 2008-09, Troy led the SBC in total scoring offense averaging 78.1 points per game. Senior swingman Richard Delk was honored with second team accolades. Point guard Michael Vogler was placed on the preseason third team.

 

Western Kentucky, 25-9 (15-13 SBC)

The Hilltoppers are picked to win the East Division of the SBC, a year after they won the East and the conference tournament. In the NCAA tournament, the Hilltoppers represented the SBC well. They upset Big Ten power Illinois in the first round and came within one play of upsetting No. 4-seed Gonzaga in the second round. WKU is almost a unanimous pick to defend their East Division title. The Hilltoppers received 12 of 13 first place votes. A.J. Slaughter was selected as the the Preseason Player of the Year and heads the preseason All-Conference team. Sergio Kerusch and Steffphon Pettigrew are on the preseason second team.

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