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Sun Belt overview

Ragin' Cajuns clear favorites to return to March Madness

Special to CNNSI.com

Lonnie Thomas and his Ragin' Cajun teammates are ready to make some noise again. Jamie Squire/Allsport

Order of Finish East Division 1. Louisiana Tech 2. Middle Tennessee State 3. Western Kentucky 4. Arkansas State 5. Florida International 6. Arkansas-Little Rock West Division 1. Louisiana-Lafayette 2. South Alabama 3. New Mexico State 4. New Orleans 5. North Texas 6. Denver

Top storylines

Can Louisiana-Lafayette pick up where it left off last season? The Ragin' Cajuns were within a blown call of upsetting Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and have turned up on some preseason Top 40 and even Top 25 polls.

Three new teams join the Sun Belt this season. New Mexico State and North Texas are coming from the Big West and Middle Tennessee State from the Ohio Valley Conference. That means the league will split into two, six-team divisions -- East and West.

As if the new schools weren't enough for Sun Belt coaches to prepare for, two other league schools have new coaches this season. Porter Moser takes over for Sidney Moncrief at Arkansas-Little Rock and Donnie Marsh replaces Shakey Rodriguez at Florida International.

Players to Watch

Top Three Players

Gerrod Henderson, G, Louisiana Tech • Henderson (18.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg) was the Sun Belt Player of the Year last season and will be the Bulldogs¹ top gun again. Lonnie Thomas, F, Louisiana-Lafayette • Thomas (11.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg) uses his 6-8, 255-pound frame wisely, doing damage in the paint. The two-time All-Sun Belt pick has a chance to play for pay next season. Chris Marcus, C, Western Kentucky • At 7-1, Marcus is a defensive presence, leading the league in blocked shots (2.6 per game) a year ago. He also averaged 11.9 points and a conference-high 9.5 rebounds in earning league newcomer and defensive player-of-the-year honors.

Top Newcomer

Jason Jennings, C, Arkansas State • The Arkansas transfer didn't fit in with Nolan Richardson¹s fast-paced style, but he should be a handful for opponents in the Sun Belt. At 7-feet and 250 pounds, Jennings won't have to back down from anyone in this league.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Jessie Evans, Louisiana-Lafayette • Evans, a long-time assistant, got his chance to be a head coach three years ago, and he's made the most of it. If he guides the Ragin' Cajuns to another NCAA Tournament bid this year, schools from higher-profile conferences might take notice.

Coach on the Hot Seat

Joey Stiebing, New Orleans • New Orleans struggled with an 11-18 record and seventh-place finish in the conference last year. The Privateers also averaged a school-record low 59.9 points.

Mark Your Calendar

Dec. 23, Louisiana-Lafayette at South Alabama • The league's top two teams square off in an early conference game. Jan. 27, South Alabama at Louisiana-Lafayette • The rematch should be interesting in the Cajundome. Feb. 10, Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech • This game could determine the East Division winner.

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