College Basketball Preview - Sun Belt Conference

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

10/30/2007 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - OUTLOOK: The Sun Belt Conference sent two teams to the postseason last year, as North Texas represented the league in the NCAA Tournament and South Alabama earned a bid from the NIT. Both North Texas and South Alabama are expected to be highly competitive again, but Western Kentucky and UL-Monroe are considered the favorites to win their respective divisions. New Orleans welcomes back the league's top scorer in Bo McCalebb and it should have a say in what happens this year. Arkansas State and Florida Atlantic return some of the conference's premier players and that is not surprising, considering the SBC welcomes back 15 of its top 20 scorers from a year ago. Middle Tennessee also returns a solid core of starters and it could be primed to make a run at the league title. Arkansas-Little Rock and Florida International have some holes to fill and they are probably a year away from making an impact. Troy, UL-Lafayette and Denver have a lot of rebuilding to do and none of these programs are expected to be in the mix in terms of league supremacy.

CONFERENCE CHAMPION: Western Kentucky

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:

EAST DIVISION: 1. Western Kentucky, 2. South Alabama, 3. Florida Atlantic, 4. Middle Tennessee, 5. Florida International, 6. Troy

WEST DIVISION: 1. UL-Monroe, 2. New Orleans, 3. Arkansas State, 4. North Texas, 5. Arkansas-Little Rock, 6. UL-Lafayette, 7. Denver

TEAM BY TEAM ANALYSIS:

EAST DIVISION:

WESTERN KENTUCKY: The Hilltoppers placed second to South Alabama in the East standings (12-6) last season and they also finished a solid 22-11 overall. Despite that, they were snubbed by the NIT after losing in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The school hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 2003, but with four starters back in the fold, WKU has a chance to put an end that drought this season. The Hilltoppers should feature one of the top backcourts in the league in 2007-08, with Courtney Lee leading the charge. The 6-5 guard averaged 17.3 ppg and 4.6 rpg a year ago and he has the ability to take over a game in several different ways. Joining him at the perimeter will be Tyrone Brazelton, who posted 12.8 ppg and 4.0 apg in his first season with the Hilltoppers after transferring from the juco ranks. Ty Rogers is yet another returning starter at the perimeter, and the 6-3 guard posted 8.9 ppg behind 39.0 percent from long range last season. Orlando Mendez-Valdez (9.4 ppg) and A.J. Slaughter (6.1 ppg) add depth to an already loaded backcourt. In the frontcourt, WKU welcomes back one starter and that is Jeremy Evans. The 6-9, 190-pound forward led the team with 5.7 rpg a year ago and he shot a sizzling 64.0 percent from the floor during that same rookie campaign. With a year of experience now under his belt, expect Evans to improve on the 7.0 ppg he averaged last season. Evans is the only legitimate big man the Hilltoppers possess, so expect the team to bomb away from long range, where they made 40.4 percent their attempts a year ago.

SOUTH ALABAMA: The Jaguars posted the best record in the conference last season at 13-5, but the team failed to get past the quarterfinals in the league tournament. Still, with 20 wins overall, USA was given an invitation to the NIT, where it was defeated in the first round by Syracuse. Following a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006 and last season's NIT showing, head coach John Pelphrey packed his bags and left for Arkansas. The Jaguars looked to the past for Pelphrey's replacement and they landed Ronnie Arrow, who coached USA from 1987-94. Arrow recently took Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to the NCAA Tournament and he inherits a team that welcomes back three starters and some key reserves. This year's team will be paced by the backcourt duo of Daon Merritt and Demetric Bennett, both of which have the ability to dominate a game. The 6-0 Merritt averaged a solid 12.7 ppg and a team-best 5.3 apg at the point last season, while the 6-4 Bennett turned in an even better 15.5 ppg to go along with 5.5 rpg. The other returning starter for USA is 6-7 forward Brandon Davis, who posted 5.8 ppg and 4.1 rpg a year ago. Three transfers in DeAndre Coleman, Daniel Hayles and Ronald Douglas will compete for starting time along with Davis.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC: In their first year in the SBC in 2006-07, the Owls finished a respectable 10-8 and they even won a league tournament game. It was clearly a successful campaign for FAU and first-year head coach Rex Walters, who welcomes back three starters from a team that went 16-15 overall. Among the returnees is 6-8 forward Carlos Monroe, who is one of the dominant big men in the league. As a sophomore last season, Monroe was one of the top scorers (18.4 ppg) and rebounders (9.4 rpg) in the conference and he also shot an impressive 59.7 percent form the floor. Jeff Parmer (9.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Sammy Hernandez, a transfer that played on George Mason's Final Four team in 2006, help give FAU one of the top frontcourts in the league. Paul Graham is the team's most decorated player at the perimeter and he returns after averaging a solid 14.1 ppg a year ago. With the departure of guard DeAndre Rice, the team's leading scorer (20.5 ppg), don't be surprised if Graham improves on his numbers from last season.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE: Following four consecutive winning campaigns, the Blue Raiders stumbled to a 15-17 finish last season. The good news though, MTU returns four starters from last year's team that went 8-10 in league play and it also welcomes back 74.2 percent of its scoring from a season ago. Kevin Kanaskie, a 6-2 guard, will run the show for the Blue Raiders in 2007-08 and he is coming off a solid campaign in which he averaged 12.2 ppg and a league- best 5.8 apg. Nigel Johnson will join Kanaskie at the perimeter and he is looking to improve on the 6.8 ppg he posted a year ago. Calvin O'Neil is another experienced guard and with some increased playing time he should also do better than the 6.6 he averaged in 2006-07. In the frontcourt, MTU has high expectations for 6-7 forward Desmond Yates, who averaged 10.9 ppg as a freshman last season and he showed that he can also shoot the three (19- of-51). Center Theryn Hudson (6-10, 250) is a big body and it may be time for him to emerge as an impact player after scoring just 5.9 ppg last season.

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL: The Golden Panthers finished last in the East Division a year ago at 7-11, but there is some hope for a turnaround thanks to several intriguing newcomers. FIU lacked some height last season, but the additions of seven-foot Pepperdine transfer Russell Hicks and 6-11 juco transfer Badara Ndiaye should take care of that problem. Hicks was averaging 5.0 ppg before breaking his foot last season, and now fully healed he should only do better in a bigger role. Ndiaye has long arms and is a great shot blocker and that is something FIU desperately needs. With the arrival of these players, 6-6 swingman Alex Galindo won't have to play in the low post as he did a season ago. The Kansas transfer averaged 13.9 ppg and 5.9 rpg while playing out of position, so expect those numbers to increase now that he doesn't have to play with his back to the basket. At the perimeter, Michael James (4.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and Chris Fuller (10.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg) are welcomed back and they should only be better with a year of experience behind them.

TROY: The Trojans posted just a 13-17 overall mark and an 8-10 conference ledger last season and reaching those win totals could even be a stretch this season. Troy must replace four of its double-digit scorers and 75.0 percent of its rebounding from a year ago. On a positive note, the team does welcome back one of its prolific scorers in O'Darien Bassett. The 6-2 guard led the Trojans in scoring (15.1 ppg) last season and he loves to bomb away from long range, making 55-of-145 attempts. Joining him at the perimeter will be 6-6 Justin Jones, who chipped in with 9.8 ppg a season ago. Much like Bassett, Jones thrives from behind the arc, where he made good on 40-of-100 tries a year ago. Jerome Odem led the team in assists (3.3 apg) last season and he his back to claim the point. In the frontcourt there are a lot of questions to be answered, as Troy has no proven players. Jarvis Acker, a 6-7 forward that redshirted last season, and seven-foot juco transfer Tom Jervis are two players that could find their way into the starting lineup along with 6-10 sophomore Bernard Toombs.

WEST DIVISION:

UL-MONROE: Fielding one of the youngest teams in the league, ULM finished in a tie for first in the West Division at 11-7 in 2006-07. It was quite a feat for the Warhawks, who were picked in the preseason poll to finish last in their first year in the SBC after coming over from the Southland. With all five starters back in the fold, ULM should have no trouble picking up where it left off. Orlando Early, the reining SBC Coach of the Year, will once again rely heavily only the versatility of guard Tony Hooper. The 5-11 Hooper has unlimited potential and as a sophomore last season he led the team in scoring (15.4 ppg), steals (1.7 spg) and three-pointers (76). He has the ability to score from anywhere on the court and he showed that by averaging 26.0 ppg over his final four outings of last season. Jordan Payne (12.4 ppg), Jonas Brown (12.3 ppg) and Lance Brasher (10.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg) are three other legitimate scorers at the perimeter for the Warhawks, who used a small lineup and lots of three pointers to win games last season. Brandon Roberts ran the point last season for ULM and he led the team in assists (4.7 apg) before suffering an ACL tear late in the year. His return should make this lineup all that much more dangerous. Afam Nweke was the team's lone true frontcourt starter last season and he averaged 5.1 rpg and 6.9 rpg. The 6-7 forward though, should receive help down low this season thanks to a pair of talented incoming freshmen in Mitchell Hampton (6-7) and Raphelle Turner (6-8).

NEW ORLEANS: For the third straight season, the Privateers have a new head coach, as former California assistant Joe Pasternack takes over for Buzz Williams, who abruptly quit in July. While the program is still recovering from the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, Pasternack comes into a situation that isn't all too bad. As a matter of fact, UNO welcomes back four starters from last year's team that went 9-9 in league play and that includes SBC Player of the Year Bo McCalebb. The 6-0 guard is a big time scorer and that was evident in his league-best 25.0 ppg average last season. McCalebb though, can do much more than just score, ranking in the conference's top 10 in rebounds (6.8 rpg), assists (3.3 apg) and steals (2.0 spg) last season. James Parlow (12.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Shaun Reynolds (10.8 ppg) will join McCalebb at the perimeter, giving the Privateers an elite backcourt. The frontcourt is a bit unproven, but there is adequate size and talent to be successful here. Ben Elias (6-10) has been slowed by injuries, but if he is healthy, he could emerge as a solid defender and scorer in the low post. Asrangue Souleymane, a 6-9 forward, is a great shot blocker and he will certainly be a factor at the defensive end of the floor.

ARKANSAS STATE: The Indians earned a share of the West Division title with UL-Monroe at 11-7 and they even advanced to the league tournament title game last season. Despite beating North Texas twice during the regular season, ASU was not able to overcome the Mean Green in the finals, as it was denied its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1999. Getting back to the "Big Dace" could be a realistic goal this season though, as the Indians welcome back three starters, including Adrian Banks. The 6-3 guard ranked second in the conference in scoring (21.1 ppg) last year and he shot a sizzling 47.5 percent from three-point range in his first season with ASU after transferring from the juco ranks. Ryan Wedel (10.7 ppg) produced at a high level during his freshman campaign and big things are expected from the 5-11 guard this season. Shawn Morgan is the lone returning starter in the frontcourt, and the 6-6 forward should have no problem improving on his 6.8 ppg average now that he will be a bigger part of the offense. Abayomi Ajasin (6-8), Ashton Farmer (6-7) and Keiwan Gant (6-8) will give depth to the frontcourt, although none of these players are proven scorers.

NORTH TEXAS: The Mean Green put together its most successful season ever in 2006-07, as it won its first SBC Tournament title and reached the "Big Dance" for the first time since 1988. The team also won a school-record 23 games and three starters are welcomed back from that squad. North Texas though, lost its top three scorers from a year ago, so some new faces are going to need to pick up the slack in that department if the team wants to duplicate last season's success. The backcourt is where the Mean Green was hit the hardest with several key players departing, but Ben Bell does return and he could be primed for a breakout year. The 6-3 guard dished out a team-high 3.1 apg a year ago and he showed a glimpse of his scoring ability by posting double- figure points in three consecutive conference tournament games. A pair of transfers in Collin Dennis (South Florida) and Adam McCoy (juco) are expected to join Bell at the perimeter and make an immediate impact. The Mean Green's frontcourt should be one of the best in the league with the return of Quincy Williams and Keith Wooden. The 6-8 Williams averaged 10.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg a year ago, while Wooden added 9.2 ppg and 5.5 rpg. Both are good scorers and rebounders and they should see an increase in touches due to an inexperienced perimeter game.

ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK: The Trojans have followed two straight division titles with back-to-back losing seasons, including last year's 8-10 finish in conference play. Four starters do return from last season's club that went 13-17 overall, but gone is Rashad Jones-Jennings, the nation's leading rebounder in 2006-07. Lekheythan Malone (6-7) and Rashad Moss (6-7) are two players that started most of the time last season and they will try to fill the void left by Jones-Jennings. The duo combined for 12.4 ppg and 5.9 rpg last season, but look for an increase in those numbers with more touches this time around. Juco transfer Shane Edwards (6-7) and a pair of Ole Miss transfers in Brandon Patterson (6-6) and Mike Smith (6-7) should make an immediate impact for the Trojans this season. In the backcourt, UALR should be solid thanks to the return of Terrance Akins and De'Andre Eggins. Akins averaged 12.3 ppg in his first season out of junior college, while Eggins posted 11.4 ppg during his first healthy season in 2006-07. Steven Moore (6.9 ppg) started 16 games at the point as a freshman last season and he should be much improved with a year of experience under his belt.

UL-LAFAYETTE: The Ragin' Cajuns won back-to-back league titles in 2004 and 2005, but since then, the team hasn't been all that competitive. Last season, ULL stumbled to a sixth place finish (7-11) in the West Division, while going just 9-21 overall. The Ragin'' Cajuns return three starters from a year ago, but the rest of the roster is all young and inexperienced. David Dees will once again shoulder much of the load for ULL, as the 6-4 guard ranked among the top scorers in the league with an average of 17.4 ppg last season. Elijah Millsap should once again provide a nice complement to Dees after averaging 12.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg to earn the SBC Freshman of the Year award in 2006-07. Maurice Barksdale missed last year with a wrist injury, but his return will give the Ragin' Cajuns another playmaker. Courtney Wallace (6-8, 250) and Abray Milson (6-9, 245) are big bodies and although they are unproven, they will probably see significant playing time in the frontcourt, where ULL lacks any real presence.

DENVER: The Pioneers were just a complete mess last season, as they won just four of their 29 games. The team posted a league-worst 3-15 mark in 2006-07, but the hiring of Joe Scott does give this program hope for the future. Scott coached four years at Air Force and he led the Falcons to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2004 before taking over at his alma mater, Princeton. Scott spent the last three seasons at Princeton and he hopes to turn this team around, although just two starters are welcomed back from last year's club. Tyler Bullock, a 6-3 guard, will be asked to lead this team after a solid freshman campaign in which he posted 11.0 ppg. Joe Jackson started 12 games at the perimeter last season and he will try to build off his 7.4 ppg average. Adam Tanner, a 6-8 center, battled some injuries, but still finished with 6.2 ppg and 5.3 rpg in his first year out of junior college. The Australian has good range, making 19-of-38 three-point attempts last season, and he could be a big surprise for the team. Five incoming freshmen will also have a chance to play for this young club.