Sun Belt Conference Preview 2021

Our Sun Belt Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 notes that this league is considered to be one of the top 10 in college football. However, in the world of college basketball, it is at best 13th. Thus, we expect that only one team will go to the Big Dance. That would be the winner of the SBC Tournament. Our projection is it will be the Georgia State Panthers. Although, there are others who could certainly earn that berth.

Sun Belt Conference Basketball Preview East

1. Georgia State Panthers (16-6, 8-4)

Top scorer Corey Allen (15.0 PPG) returns as does senior Kane Williams (12.9 PPG, 4.0 APG). In fact, all five starters from the SBC’s top-scoring team (80.3 PPG) are back. The Panthers have been to three straight Sun Belt Tournament finals. A fourth is likely this season.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 130
Postseason Tournament: NCAA Round of 64

2. South Alabama State Jaguars (17-11, 10-7)

The bad news for the Jags is the loss of All-Sun Belt honoree Michael Flowers. Our Sun Belt Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 also notes that four of SAS’s top scorers have exited. Coach Rich Riley brings in 11 new players via the transfer portal, including Tyrell Jones (Auburn) and Charles Manning Jr. (LSU). Premium guards Jay Jay Cutler (Texas A&M) and Greg Parham (VMI) are fine shooters. This composite team will be competitive.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 203
Postseason Tournament: NIT

3. Appalachian State Mountaineers (17-12, 7-8)

Last season, the Mountaineers made their way through the Sun Belt Tournament and beat the favored defending-champion Georgia State Panthers in the finals. The result was they went to the Big Dance and exited quickly. Coach Dustin Kerns knows how to win. It was great news when Michael Almonacy (12.7 PPG) and Justin Forrest (13.2 PPG) both decided to return. Plus, three other quality offensive players come back. Watch out for Appalachian State.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 215
Postseason Tournament: NIT

4. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (18-8, 9-5)

Our Sun Belt Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 finds that although important pieces from last season return, Sun Belt Player of the Year DeVante’ Jones (19.3 PPG) decided to transfer to Michigan. Top three-point shooter DeAnthony Tipler (13.4 PPG, 41.0 3PT%) and assist master Ebrima Dibba (7.3 PPG, 5.5 APG) will play. Staring center Essam Mostafa (12.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG) ably controls the boards. Also, there’s decent depth onboard.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 159
Postseason Tournament: None

5. Troy Trojans (12-16, 5-12)

Tough, battling forward Nick Stampley (12.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG) and paint dominating forward Zay Williams (10.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG) will command the frontcourt once again. Sun Belt-best free-throw shooter Khalyl Waters (87.5 FT%) is also back. But Troy loses some essential talent, which coach Scott Cross will try to replenish through various transfers. It’s a losing battle.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 289
Postseason Tournament: None

6. Georgia Southern Eagles (13-13, 7-9)

The Eagles see just one double-digit scorer, Elijah McCadden (10.2 PPG) come back. Our Sun Belt Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 notes that Georgia Southern will miss quality leaders Zack Bryant and Eric Boone, as they transfer out. They were both essential in terms of scoring and rebounding. Incoming 6’11” junco transfer Carlos Curry will clear the boards. Overall, this is a thin team.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 262
Postseason Tournament: None

Sun Belt Conference Basketball Preview West

1. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (17-9, 10-7)

As All-Sun Belt guard Cedric Russell (17.2 PPG) and guard Mylik Wilson (12.9 PPG) hit the transfer portal, so too did Louisiana coach Bob Marlin. Our Sun Belt Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 notes that he’s added Greg Williams Jr. (St. John’s), Antwann Jones (Creighton & Memphis), and Jalen Dalcourt (San Jose State). Plus, big man Jordan Brown (Arizona, Nevada) joins the frontcourt. Brown, last year’s Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year, joins Theo Akwuba (11.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.6 BPG), the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, to create a premium D.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 186
Postseason Tournament: NIT

2. Texas State Bobcats (18-7, 12-3)

Last season, through adversity, the Bobcats finished atop the SBC West. All-Sun Belt point guard Mason Harrell (13.9 PPG) returns as does premium three-point shooter Caleb Asberry (13.3 PPG). Although top rebounder Isiah Small and starter Alonzo Sule transferred out, forward Nate Lacewell comes to the Cats from San Jose State. This is a good team. However, coach Terrence Johnson has depth issues.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 154
Postseason Tournament: NIT

3. Arkansas State Red Wolves (11-13, 7-8)

Our Sun Belt Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 finds that the Red Wolves return Norchad Omier. Omier, a double-double player and All-Sun Belt honoree was also the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. The awesome talent averaged 12.6 PPG and 12.3 RPG. Dogged defender Desi Sills (Arkansas) joins the Red Wolves after averaging 7.5 PPG last season. Also arriving is Arkansas State’s top scorer Marquis Eaton (14.2 PPG, 5.2 APG). Returning is Caleb Fields who averaged 11.0 PPG. Coach Mike Balado has a fine team that could move upward.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 239
Postseason Tournament: None

4. UT Arlington Mavericks (13-13, 9-8)

Longtime UT Arlington assistant Greg Young takes over the Mavericks. He convinced former UTA swingman Pedro Castro to return from Houston Baptist where he averaged 14.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.1 BPG. Castro recorded a three-point success rate of 48.0 percent. Also incoming is Javon Levy (UTRGV), who averaged 8.7 PPG, 5.6 APG, 2.3 SPG. Plus, former Michigan State point guard Jack Hoiberg joins the team while top rebounder and Sun Belt shot blocker David Azore (12.8 PPG) comes back. Can Young get these guys on the same page?

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 242
Postseason Tournament: None

5. Little Rock Trojans (11-15, 7-11)

Coach Darrell Walker starts his fourth season at Little Rock with numerous major challenges. Our Sun Belt Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 observes that assist leader Markquis Nowell left, as did double-double forward Ruot Monyyong. Monyyong, who was the 2019 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, turned pro. Additionally, other key players transferred. The well is dry.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 221
Postseason Tournament: None

6. ULM Warhawks (7-19, 5-13)

Coach Keith Richard has added size in the backcourt, including Andre Jones (Nicholls and Little Rock) and Reginald Gee (Alabama and Austin Peay). Both are premium scorers. Russell Harrison (12.5 RPG, 6.1 RPG), ULM’s top scorer and rebounder, and Koreem Ozier return. Still, the team is lacking a full contingent of starters and has a very thin bench.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll Ranking: None
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Ranking: 290
Postseason Tournament: None

Sun Belt Conference Basketball Preview 2021 – Final Thoughts

Our Sun Belt Conference basketball preview 2021 - 2022 finds that the East Division is much stronger and deeper than the West. There are three competitive teams in the East, Georgia State, South Alabama State, and Appalachian State. Coastal Carolina is also dangerous. In the West, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are the top team. Texas State is a solid team. However, it lacks depth.