2024 Preview
Superlatives:
Best Overall Team: Arkansas State
Best Overall Player: Taryn Todd, ARKST
Best Shooter: Miles Rigsby, Troy
Best Defenseman: Nick McMullen, GAST
Sleeper Team (Conference): South Alabama
Sleeper Team (March): Louisiana
Arkansas State guard taryn Todd; Arkansas state athletics
1. Louisiana Rajin’ Cajuns
2023 Record: 19-14
For what very well could be considered the most well put together team in the conference, coach Bob Marlin aims to keep his ever long streak of consistency alive in 2024 with the return of two starters and the addition of many transfers ready to score at will. The Rajin’ Cajuns are an old-school, defensive-minded team built upon tough perimeter defense and slow, methodical interior offense. That all starts with big man Hosana Kitenge, who returns to Lafayette for year four. One of the nation’s best defenses will be enough to keep Louisiana at the top of the conference all season long.
2. Troy Trojans
2023 Record: 20-12
There is a strong returning core — especially offensively — that can rival any in the league, as the Trojans, fresh off another 20-plus win season, look to finally break through to the NCAA Tournament in 2024. Coach Scott Cross has won 80 games in five years and is one of the best in the conference. The Trojans ranked top three in the SBC in both offensive and defensive efficiency last season and will need to find a replacement for departing backcourt production to fill the remaining holes — Miles Rigsby is a fine option.
3. Arkansas State Red Wolves
2023 Record: 20-17
The Red Wolves commanded the conference’s top offense and were one of the hottest teams in the Sun Belt in the second half of the season, even making it to the SBC Championship game before losing to James Madison. A large majority of the scoring and a formidable nucleus is back from that squad, spearheaded by Taryn Todd in the backcourt and Izaiyah Nelson down low. Arkansas State ran one of the slowest tempos in the conference on offense but struggled to defend the three ball, which made it difficult to come back when playing from behind.
4. James Madison Dukes
2023 Record: 32-4
Last season’s conference juggernaut steamrolled its way through the conference tournament and plowed through No. 5 Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, putting the Dukes on the map as a fiery upset candidate in 2024. JMU will now have to replicate that with a new coach and five new starters, as most — if not all — of the important scoring left via the portal this off season. Still, the Dukes will be considered in the upper echelon of the SBC due to the pedigree that has been built in Harrisonburg. Former Seton Hall forward Elijah Hutchins-Everett will be the mainstay early.
5. South Alabama Jaguars
2023 Record: 16-16
One of the conference’s worst statistical defenses cost the Jaguars a handful of games last season, including a first round SBC Tournament loss to then down-and-out Georgia Southern. Three starters, including leading scorer Isaih Gaiter, are back from that team and hope to lead South Alabama back to SBC prominence under coach Richie Riley. Improving the frontcourt’s output will be essential to that, on both sides of the ball. Thomas Howell is the top candidate to be the janitor, nabbing north of five boards per game last season.
6. Appalachian State Mountaineers
2023 Record: 27-7
The Mountaineers were last season’s regular season conference champions, but fell to Arkansas State early before skidding against Wake Forest to end 2023 prematurely. Only one starter is back from that team, and under 20 total points return to Boone, raising the simple question; who is going to score points? Relying on a group of transfers from all across college basketball seems to be coach Dustin Kerns’ answer. Look for Alonzo Dodd — a lanky stretch forward who can expand the floor — to fall face first into the leading scorer roll.
7. Georgia Southern Eagles
2023 Record: 9-24
The Eagles were one of the last teams in the country to win a game last season but ended things well enough to warrant optimism ahead of year two under Charlie Henry. Three starters are back, which is a good place to start, including Eren Banks (10.2) and Avantae Parker (8.2). The edition of shifty Adante’ Holiman provides an explosive scoring threat in the backcourt, and the frontcourt will look to rebuild itself after one of the worst defensive rebounding efforts in the country last season.
8. Texas State Bobcats
2023 Record: 17-18
The Bobcats struggled offensively last season and will look to improve through the portal to get to the top of SBC. Luckily, three starters are back and create a tough defensive outfit, but scoring will be a challenge as none of the three averaged double digits. Coleton Benson is a name to watch, coming off the bench the last two seasons and shooting well from behind the arc. Franck Emmou is a capable scorer on the wing, and guard Tyrel Johnson can maneuver in the lane.
9. Old Dominion Monarchs
2023 Record: 7-25
The Monarchs are another Sun Belt team on the tail end of major off season changes, highlighted by a coaching change and the addition of key scorers through the portal. Siena guard Sean Durugordon was an impressive scorer, especially on the inside last season, as ODU looks to pair him with Maryland transfer Caelum Swanton-Rodger in the backcourt. The frontcourt is a question mark, and one that will need to answered, as ODU struggled at times on the glass last season.
10. Georgia State Panthers
2023 Record: 14-17
The offense will be completely rebranded after a lackluster output in 2023, as coach Jonas Hayes looks to build in year three. Relying on a bevy of transfers to contribute to the team’s scoring, Hayes opted to strip most of the roster and start anew, starting with NIU guard Zarique Nutter in the backcourt. Nutter will most likely be the top scorer for the Panthers along with Nick McMullen down low (UNC Asheville). The cohesion built in the off season will be tested early as the Panthers must stand up to a challenging schedule.
11. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
2023 Record: 9-22
After a less than ideal 2023, the Chanticleers underwent a coaching change in Conway ahead of 2024. Former Western Carolina head man Justin Gray is at the helm now, and with him a collection of talented but question-mark ridden stars. There are no starters from last season returning but Marcus Watson will be back after rehabbing his ACL injury and is a huge, bulging presence in the backcourt. The Chanticleers are an overall big team that will more than likely make its living on the boards and on slowing down the tempo.
12. Southern Miss. Golden Eagles
2023 Record: 16-16
One starter returns from last season for the Golden Eagles, who dealt with copious amounts of injuries en route to an even 16-16 finish. The frontcourt, unlike many other SBC teams, is a strength, with the Golden Eagles posting impressive defense efficiency numbers from inside the arc. Tegra Izay is back and should contribute to the continuation of that, with marksman Andre Curbelo holds down the backcourt. Improving on offense will be a natural next step as Southern Miss looks to return to 2022 form.
13. Marshall Thundering Herd
2023 Record: 13-20
A wavering offensive effort left more questions than answers as to just how good this Thundering Herd team was last season. 2024 brings another set of questions, with the departure of the old coaching staff and the welcoming of a litany of transfers. Utilizing one of the nation’s fastest tempos last season did not fair well for the Herd, who oftentimes struggled to score in bunches. The addition of many large but quick forwards opens up the possibility of a three-point focused Marshall team in 2024.
14. Louisiana Monroe Warhawks
2023 Record: 11-19
The Warhawks were one of the worst scoring teams in the country last season and two of its top three scorers left. Still, there are pieces back in Monroe, starting with the now matured frontcourt which should see more usage in 2024. Improving on a dreadful rebounding attack from last season will be a top priority, as will be scoring more consistently from behind the arc, which the Warhawks ranked last in the SBC last season. Guard Tyreke Locure is a solid foundation to build off of, but will need more pieces in order to find success.