- (Sports Network) - OUTLOOK: The Sun Belt Conference has produced a different team in the NCAA Tournament for four consecutive seasons, and this year could mark the fifth. The powerhouses from a year ago have taken steps back, while schools like Middle Tennessee and North Texas are primed to take the SBC crown. Last year the Blue Raiders upended the top-ranked South Alabama Jaguars in the Sun Belt Tournament, but were unable to finish the job, losing to Western Kentucky. However, this year coach Kermit Davis has all five starters back in the mix, and a good portion of his reserve options. With so much experience and depth MT is not only the class of the East Division, but could be the top squad in the entire conference. However, the Jaguars certainly should not be overlooked, even though the team lost two of its best backcourt players. South Alabama was the top seed for a reason this past season, and has enough talent on its roster to make another run at the league crown. Taking care of business in the West Division could be the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans. Coach Steve Shields' squad posted a mediocre 11-7 ledger in Sun Belt play this past season, but with all five starters back in the fold along with some key reserves, the Trojans are ready to take the next step. However, the Trojans will not be able to walk away with the division, as the Mean Green of North Texas and the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette both pose a threat in the west. The Mean Green have a few standout players back and the team has some big time newcomers that will instantly help. As for the Cajuns, all five starters are back, which makes them a very dangerous team. Four teams that do not have enough firepower to hang with the elite teams in the conference are Denver, UL-Monroe, Florida Atlantic and Western Kentucky. However, if one of those four squads were able to put together an amazing run it would be the Hilltoppers. WKU collected 16 wins this past season, and although the team loses three starters, there is still plenty of experience on the bench, along with a few talented newcomers. Arkansas State, New Orleans, Florida International and Troy are a few years away from making a push, so for now the four schools will have to battle one another to stay out of the league basement. CONFERENCE CHAMPION: Middle Tennessee

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: EAST DIVISION: 1. Middle Tennessee, 2. South Alabama, 3. Florida Atlantic, 4. Western Kentucky, 5. Troy, 6. Florida International. WEST DIVISION: 1. Arkansas-Little Rock, 2. North Texas, 3. UL- Lafayette, 4. UL-Monroe, 5. Denver, 6. Arkansas State, 7. New Orleans.

TEAM BY TEAM ANALYSIS:

EAST DIVISION -

1. MIDDLE TENNESSEE - The Blue Raiders had a strong season last year, and an even better run in the Sun Belt Tournament, but because the team lacked experience it was unable to take the crown. That is not the case this year, as all five starters return, including forward Desmond Yates. Yates was a dominating force this past season, averaging 16.0 ppg. The junior forward should once again own the Sun Belt, but he will need to work harder on the glass (4.4 rpg last year). Theryn Hudson will lend a hand in the paint, but the center is more of a defensive-minded player. The senior did average 9.1 ppg this past season, but his first priority is striking fear into the oppositions psyche. The frontcourt is solid, but the backcourt is really dangerous with experience and depth. Kevin Kanaskie is the floor general for this squad, and is capable of doing a little bit of everything on the court. Last year the senior posted 11.7 ppg to go along with 4.0 rpg and 3.3 apg. With Kanaskie running the show on the floor, Demetrius Green has the ability to look for the open shot. Green is an explosive guard who can score from the perimeter, or by driving the lane. Calvin O'Neil and Nigel Johnson will rotate at the third guard slot, while freshman DeMario Williams will also get an immediate chance to contribute.

2. SOUTH ALABAMA - After posting a 16-2 ledger in league play the Jaguars were unable to complete the task, falling in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament to Middle Tennessee. However, despite the slip up in the league tournament the Jags were fortunate to still land a spot in the Big Dance. Coach Ronnie Arrow has lost some punch to his offense, but his frontcourt is still strong with the return of DeAndre Coleman and Brandon Davis. Both players are terrific on the glass, but Davis is more of an offensive threat, averaging 10.8 ppg this past season. Domonic Tilford is the lone returning guard with any experience, and is coming off a 12.5 ppg showing as a junior. However, Tilford can not carry the offense in the backcourt by himself, so coach Arrow is hoping newcomers Brian Sherrer and Lashun Watson will make an immediate impact. Sherrer has the leadership and discipline to be a top point guard, while Watson is a prototypical shooting guard with an excellent shooting touch.

3. FLORIDA ATLANTIC - New head coach Mike Jarvis received excellent news when Carlos Monroe decided to remain in school for his senior season. Monroe posted 15.4 and 9.6 rpg last year, and those outstanding numbers earned him a spot on the All-Sun Belt First Team. Monroe should be the top forward in the conference once again, giving FAU a tremendous inside threat. Along with Monroe is the tremendous backcourt duo of Carderro Nwoji and Paul Graham III. Nwoji is a solid distributor, who dished out 3.7 apg this past season, but the guard also has a nose for the basket, and should average double figures in his senior campaign. As for Graham, he is a pure scorer, and one of the most dangerous guards in the league. The senior, who tallied 14.0 ppg this past year, can dominate an opponent by penetrating the lane, or by stepping back and hitting a jump shot. With the experience in the backcourt, along with the presence of Monroe down low, the Owls could make some waves in the Sun Belt.

4. WESTERN KENTUCKY - The Hilltoppers became the first Sun Belt team in 15 years to crack the Sweet 16, but the magical ride eventually came to an end and now new head coach Ken McDonald will have to find players to step up their efforts if WKU plans on remaining the Sun Belt Champs. It will be tough for coach McDonald as the team lost three very strong players, including conference Player of the Year, Courtney Lee. Jeremy Evans and D.J. Magley are the only two returning starters, and while both players are solid, neither of them can lead a team. Replacing Lee and Tyrone Brazelton in the backcourt will be tough, but A.J. Slaughter and Orlando Mendez-Valdez are both experienced and should increase their production. Another player that will now have a chance to shine is Steffphon Pettigrew. The sophomore swingman is a tremendous athlete that can score in many different ways. If Pettigrew can instantly step in and perform at a high level, the Hilltoppers could make another run in the wide open Sun Belt.

5. TROY - Coach Don Maestri has been at the helm of Troy for 28 years, and he has seen some good years, and some bad. This past season was definitely a bad one, as the Trojans collected just four conference wins. It might not get any easier this season, as Troy returns just one starter, Trayce Macon. Macon is a solid forward, but does not possess the overall abilities to be a leader in the frontcourt. Coach Maestri will have to rely heavily on reserve players stepping up their production, and newcomers immediately contributing. Tom Jervis and Mario Telfair saw some time this past season, but both will need to improve drastically if Troy plans on posting wins. The starting jobs in the backcourt are up for grabs, and newcomers Richard Delk and Regis Huddleston could have the inside track on those slots. Both players are exciting athletes with good upside.

6. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL - The Golden Panthers tallied six conference wins this past season, and have four starters back in the mix, so there is a reason to be optimistic. The frontcourt should be very strong for FIU, especially with Alex Galindo roaming the paint. Galindo, who averaged 13.3 ppg and 6.7 rpg, is a dominating forward that can control a game down low. Russell Hicks will team with Galindo in the paint, and the center is just as menacing, especially on the defensive end of the court. Hicks, who led the team with 60 blocks, also posted 12.5 ppg and 6.1 rpg. Add Nikola Gacesa to the mix and the Golden Panthers have a very talented and potent inside game. Unfortunately the backcourt will not be as strong, as Tremayne Russell is the lone returning guard with experience. The sophomore guard should be much better this season, but his partner in the backcourt is still unknown. As of now junior college transfer Michael Dominguez looks to be the man to fill in the starting guard spot, and that would give FIU another scoring threat.

WEST DIVISION -

1. ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK - The Trojans posted their first 20-win season last year since the 1995-96 campaign, and the team achieved this feat with tenacious defensive play. The transfers of Lekheythan Malone and De'Andre Eggins will surely hurt UALR's chances this year, but coach Steve Shields returns plenty of talent, including five players with starting experience. However, none of the five players posted more than 10.0 ppg, as Steve Moore and Mike Smith led the way with 9.9 and 9.2 ppg, respectively. John Fowler and Shane Edwards will join Smith in the frontcourt, giving Arkansas-Little Rock a very tough and athletic inside group. The backcourt will also play with a tenacious attitude, as Moore and Brandon Patterson both play a physical style of basketball. Defense comes first to every player on the roster, and if the Trojans expect to win, it will have to be their defensive savvy that leads the team to the Promised Land.

2. NORTH TEXAS - The Mean Green have collected back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in 30 years, and although six of the top eight scorers from last year are gone, the Mean Green possess enough talent to corral another 20- win campaign. The backcourt is solid with the likes of Collin Dennis and Josh White. As a freshman, White was outstanding, racking up 13.9 ppg, and the guard should be even better this year. As for Dennis, he is also a scoring threat at the guard position, and is clearly the leader on the floor for North Texas. The frontcourt is not as clear for coach Johnny Jones, as there is not many players with experience in the roster. Coach Jones is relying on junior college transfer Eric Tramiel to instantly step in and make an impact. Tramiel was an All-American in the juco ranks, and his size and athletic abilities should make him an immediate threat in the paint for North Texas.

3. UL-LAFAYETTE - The Cajuns collected 11 wins this past season in league action, but with three starters returning, along with some talented newcomers, ULL can take another step forward. The backcourt took a big hit when Elijah Millsap transferred to UAB, but the return of Chris Gradnigo and Randell Daigle give ULL a strong tandem at the guard position. Gradnigo posted 9.6 ppg as a freshman, and should increase this season, especially since his perimeter shooting improved as last year progressed. La'Ryan Gary is a perfect swingman at 6-7, but the junior will have to become a more consistent scorer if ULL intends to compete for the division crown. The frontcourt is not as stable, but coach Robert Lee is expecting transfers Emmanuel Adeife and Jeremy Barr to make immediate impacts. Barr comes over from USC, and is a strong, athletic forward that can score and rebound. As for Adeife, he left UNLV, and gives the Cajuns another large presence in the paint. Adeife is mediocre offensively, but his defensive capabilities are impressive.

4. UL-MONROE - There were high expectations for the Warhawks this past season, but the team opened Sun Belt play with six straight losses and never recovered. ULM finished with just four league wins, and with only two starters returning, it is unlikely the Warhawks will achieved anywhere close to a .500 mark in league action. Tony Hooper is the lone double-figure scorer on the roster, and while the guard is a scoring force (15.1 ppg), the team will need another guard to have a solid backcourt. Brandon Roberts has the potential to be a strong point guard, but injuries have plagued his career. If Roberts struggles to stay on the floor, expect juco transfer Reggie Lassiter to step into the point guard role. Afam Nweke will return to his forward spot in the lineup, but the senior, who is solid on the glass, will need to improve offensively. The real scoring threat in the frontcourt will be Raphelle Turner. Turner posted 6.0 ppg and 4.5 rpg this past season in a reserve role, but the sophomore will now jump into the starting lineup, and is talented enough to produce double figures throughout the season.

5. DENVER - The Pioneers surprised the Sun Belt with seven victories this past season, and that was due to the team's defensive efforts. However, for Denver to duplicate that success the team will need an even tougher defensive approach, as the Pioneers only return two starters. The scoring power for this squad will likely come from the frontcourt as Nate Rohnert and Rob Lewis are both talented forwards. Rohnert started most of the games last year, and averaged 8.5 ppg, but the junior will have to improve on his rebounding (3.9 rpg). As for Lewis, he was the most consistent reserve for Denver last year, but now the sophomore will have more opportunities to increase his production from a year ago (8.7 ppg and 4.4 rpg). Add redshirt freshman Andrew Hooper to the mix and the Pioneers possess a decent frontcourt entering the season. Taking care of the work in the backcourt will be Kyle Lewis. The sophomore guard is an outstanding perimeter shooter and should improve on his 8.4 ppg from a year ago.

6. ARKANSAS STATE - John Brady will begin his stint as the head coach of Arkansas State, and he will have his work cut out for him with only two starters returning. The two returning starters are forwards Yima Chia-Kur and Shawn Morgan. Chia-Kur is the top returning scorer for ASU, but the forward will need to increase his production now that he is the go-to guy in the paint. As for Morgan, he will contributed at times offensively, but his main reason for being on the floor is his defensive ability. Joining the two down low will be JeJuan Brown. Brown was a part of Vanderbilt's Sweet 16 squad in 2007, and should definitely help on both ends of the floor for the Red Wolves. The backcourt is a huge question mark for ASU, as the team does not have much experience at the guard position. Ifeanyi Koggu has spent the most time on the floor for the Red Wolves, and will likely get the nod at one of the guard slots. However, the other spot might be filled by a rotation until one of the players on the roster prove they deserve to start full time.

7. NEW ORLEANS - The Privateers have suffered the biggest loss in the conference, as the team not only has to replace four starters, but one of those starters is Bo McCalebb, the all-time leading scorer in Sun Belt history. After having a moderately successful first year as coach of the Privateers, Joe Pasternack will likely have to mix and match his lineup throughout the year. Kyndall Dykes, who posted 13.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg, is the only solid contributor on the roster. The senior forward will be looked upon to lead this young squad at both ends of the floor. T.J. Worley was a key reserve last season, but will now join Dykes in the starting lineup, giving the Privateers a strong one-two punch in the paint. Other than Dykes and Worley though, there is not much for coach Pasternack to work with, leaving little chance of a winning season in New Orleans.







Copyright 2008 The Sports Network
All rights reserved