Sun Belt looking sluggish early on

mgsteve · December 14, 2006

Thank goodness Sun Belt Conference play began early this year.

Riding the Pine by Rob Herbst

With the expansion of the league to 13 teams and the move to 18 conference games, league play actually began Wednesday with a pair of games - although Western Kentucky doesn't open conference play until Tuesday against North Texas.

It wasn't exactly a banner opening to the year against out-of-conference foes for the Sun Belt. Entering Wednesday, Sun Belt foes had been 43-64 against Division I opponents.

At least there's still the Ohio Valley Conference for the Sun Belt to pick on. The Sun Belt went 10-1 against the OVC this year.

So, one month into the year and one day into conference play, here's where the league stands and one guess how the conference will shake out.

Sun Belt East

1. Western Kentucky (8-2)

Best win: 70-67 at Georgia

Worst loss: 75-70 to Southern Illinois

An 8-2 start is realistically about as good as the Hilltoppers could have hoped. A win on Saturday against Southern Illinois would have been nice, but Western has still established itself as the class of the league so far.

That doesn't mean WKU is without issues. Finding some consistency inside and reducing its turnover numbers would make the Hilltoppers' life in the Sun Belt easier.

2. Middle Tennessee (4-4)

Best win: 65-58 vs. Indiana State

Worst loss: 64-56 vs. College of Charleston in the Virgin Islands

The Blue Raiders have played without top returning scorer Adam Vogelsberg, who is out with a broken foot. The preseason second-team All-Sun Belt guard is expected back later this season.

Middle was swept out of the Virgin Islands with three losses, but has rebounded to win three in a row.

3. South Alabama (5-4)

Best win: 67-63 vs. Cal-Irvine in Fresno, Calif.

Worst loss: 84-46 at Mississippi State

Life hasn't been easy for the reigning Sun Belt Conference champions. Four of the Jaguars' games have been decided by five or fewer points. South Alabama's roster is different than last year and the Jaguars do deserve some time to put everything together.

4. Troy (5-6)

Best win: 80-75 vs. Drake in Fairbanks, Alaska

Worst loss: 63-56 at Alabama State

Troy may have been considered a dangerous sleeper team, but a 90-87 loss at league newcomer Florida Atlantic in Wednesday's Sun Belt opener wasn't a good sign.

5. Florida Atlantic (3-5)

Best win: 77-64 vs. Norfolk State

Worst loss: 85-70 at Missouri-Kansas City

Florida Atlantic doesn't have any noteworthy wins, but did start off right by beating Troy. But competing in the SBC East will be more than a challenge for the Owls.

6. Florida International (4-5)

Best win: 62-60 vs. Western Illinois

Worst loss: 96-72 at Robert Morris

It was expected to be a long year for FIU, and so far that's held true.

Offensive issues have been a problem for the Golden Panthers, who are shooting under 41 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from 3-point range.

Sun Belt West

1. North Texas (7-2)

Best win: 90-72 at Charlotte

Worst loss: 83-81 vs. UT-Arlington

Wins at Charlotte, Rice and against Tulsa make one think the Mean Green will finish tops in the West. But losing at home to Texas-Arlington and barely squeaking out a win against winless Nicholls State leaves room for doubt.

Losing All-Sun Belt guard Kendrick Davis to a broken hand was a major blow. He was averaging 18.7 points and led the Mean Green in scoring in all three games he played before suffering the injury.

2. New Orleans (4-6)

Best win: 64-62 at Lamar

Worst loss: 74-73 vs. Hampton in College Park, Md.

The Privateers also opened Sun Belt play Wednesday by beating Louisiana-Lafayette 80-76.

Having All-Sun Belt guard Bo McCalebb back after missing last year with a wrist injury has changed the Privateers' fortunes. He scored 36 points Wednesday and is averaging 25.6 points this year.

3. Arkansas State (5-7)

Best win: 77-70 vs. Austin Peay

Worst loss: 84-78 at South Dakota

After the top two in the West, it's anybody's guess. Maybe the Indians can finish in the top half of the league with Adrian Banks, who has been a nice addition for the Indians. The transfer from Northwest Mississippi Community College ranks third in the league, averaging 21.2 points a night.

4. Arkansas-Little Rock (5-8)

Best win: 81-79 vs. Akron in Lubbock, Texas

Worst loss: 60-46 vs. McNeese State

Some people thought Arkansas-Little Rock would win the division, but the Trojans have been disappointing.

A loss to Centenary and double-digit home defeats to McNeese State and Belmont are dubious signs. As with last year, UALR is having trouble finding shooters. UALR is hitting only 26 percent of its 3-pointers.

5. Louisiana-Lafayette (2-6)

Best win: 65-60 vs. Louisiana Tech

Worst loss: 80-42 at Stephen F. Austin

The Ragin' Cajuns have taken a hard fall after being a conference power. Louisiana-Lafayette did play a tough nonconference schedule, but the Ragin' Cajuns have been a two-man team so far.

David Dess is averaging 21.1 points and Ross Mouton is averaging 19.7 points. No other Ragin' Cajun is averaging more than five points a night.

6. Louisiana-Monroe (4-5)

Best win: 70-60 vs. Eastern Illinois in Ames, Iowa

Worst loss: 66-40 at Iowa State

The league's other newcomer has had a rigorous start to the year and still remains an unknown. Louisiana-Monroe has only played at home twice - against Loyola of New Orleans and William Carey.

7. Denver (1-9)

Best (and only) win: 74-68 vs. Northern Colorado

Worst loss: 82-39 at Stanford

As of this morning, Denver had the lowest RPI in Division I and it's easy to see why. It's been ugly in Denver as the Pioneers are not only losing, but have been getting pummeled. Seven of their nine losses have been by double digits, including two defeats to Southern Utah.