Seven games for the Sun Belt Conference eight

With the many changes surrounding smaller college football conferences, the Sun Belt Conference learned on Tuesday that all eight teams will need to add another non-conference game to their schedules. Middle Tennessee and FAU is now out and headed to the C-USA on July 1, 2013, leaving eight teams in the Sun Belt and all eight will only play seven conference games.

Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic will not be leaving without paying a fee to the Sun Belt Conference, each team must pay as agreed $700,000 to exit early and be apart of C-USA, according to the commissioner Karl Benson.

“Our desire to aid our athletic directors in finalizing the 2013 football schedule was the reason for allowing a reduced exit fee,” Benson said in a statement released by the conference. “While the seven-game conference schedule is not perfect, the understanding is that this would only be for one season.”

One season says Benson, so this is a early indication by Benson that the Sun Belt will expand in the near future, just not for the 2013 season.

Well good bye Middle Tennessee and FAU, hope the grass is greener on the other side as promised; to make you jump ship so quickly. Tulsa made it known that they are ready to exit C-USA for either the MTW or Big East, whomever invites them first. Tulsa AD also made it known that two many Sun Belt teams are coming into C-USA, so is Middle Tennessee, FAU, FIU and North Texas really welcomed into C-USA...lol. Tulsa don't want to be associated with them.

Maybe soon we will see how all this works out. Georgia Southern AD said he already has drafted an acceptance letter if an invite from the Sun Belt comes, wow! I really wish the Sun Belt Conference will go ahead and do what's right and act and get our conference stable and on a more progressive platform. By adding four more teams would really help this conference and our chances in the new NCAA playoff system come 2014.

Sun Belt Conference should not continue to let C-USA continue to peck our members as they did the WAC. If the AD's and the Commissioner is really serious about saving the Sun Belt, then they would reach out and add members that are dedicated and add them sooner. If not more members are going to look for new homes and if they are called they will answer.

Last but not least, the Sun Belt Conference needs to re-negotiate their TV contracts for a better payout to their members, and secure additional bowl tie ins. Why not reach out and get those bowl tie in the WAC had Commissioner Benson?

Time is running out, and sitting back waiting and watching the dominoes fall and not be progressive will result in no conference or left overs.

Teams that would really help the Sun Belt Conference and create an huge impact in college football is the following; Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Lamar, New Mexico State, UT-Chattanooga and I will not count out Idaho with their new head coach and staff. So what are you going to do Sun Belt and Commissioner Karl Benson, we are all waiting.

Is MTSU & FAU leaving the Sun Belt in 2013?

Well by now we all know that Middle Tennessee State and Florida Atlantic is on their way out to Conference USA from the Sun Belt, and it’s not a surprise that they would like to leave as soon as possible. Will they be leaving early? Yes they will! 

With all the negotiations that is taking place, each party and the Sun Belt Conference is trying to settle the exit fee to leave early, and it want be free to exit if they decides to leave early. It will cost MTSU and FAU $1 million dollars to exit early and the SBC wants that payment if they so choose. MTSU and FAU also believe that they can leave the Sun Belt Conference for a lower fee than the required $1 million.

It is known that bout schools want out of the conference early than 2014, According to the SBC Commissioner Karl Benson, both school will leave on July 1, 2013. Now that they are departing in 2013, the SBC is left with 8 members, and now each of those members must seek another non-conference game. 

Why not go ahead and bring in New Mexico State that is waiting on the sidelines to be added to a conference and add Georgia Southern to get back to ten playing members. Also why not just go ahead and add four and get to twelve members for football. 

Let's get this done Commissioner Karl Benson, AD's and Sun Belt Conference. We are ready to move forward! 

Arkansas State Conference Champs Again in 2012

Arkansas State claims the title for the second time in a row

Arkansas State Red Wolves claimed victory once again, this time under their new head coach Gus Malzhan .

2012 SBC Champs - Arkansas State 

Playing a game against a defecting SBC member for the conference title, Arkansas State did indeed prove to Middle Tennessee who rules. The Red Wolves denied Middle Tennessee a chance to even try. Instead the Red Wolves sent them on their way to their new conference.

Ryan Aplin was a big star in Saturday conference title game in Jonesboro, he broke his own Arkansas State record for passing touchdowns in a season and the Red Wolves captured their second straight Sun Belt Conference championship with a 45-0 victory over Middle Tennessee on Saturday.

Aplin completed 19 of 21 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns -- giving him 22 TDs to break the mark of 21 he set last season. Arkansas State (9-3, 7-1) and Middle Tennessee (8-4, 6-2) came into the game tied for first place in the conference.

David Oku rushed for 102 yards and a TD for the Red Wolves, giving him 1,024 yards for the season. Arkansas State, which won its seventh straight, had 512 yards of offense to just 203 for the Blue Raiders.

Maybe Middle Tennessee was still on their conference switch high, or maybe Arkansas State said just leave….lol. Go Red Wolves!

Sun Belt Conference To Address Expansion Early as Monday

C-USA Commissioner Banowsky wants to do away with smaller conferences!

College football re-alignment have triggered to the Sun Belt Conference once again. On this past week Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic have accepted invitation to join Conference USA.

                                                                                                                                                                               

Conference USA lost two more teams to the Big East in Tulane and East Carolina.  And this is no joke but reality. My question in all this is, what is the Sun Belt Conference doing to do to survive and fight back, or will they doing anything?

Times are telling that Conference USA is not so green and bright itself with all the deflections within the past year, when nearly six of its schools have deflected to the Big East and more may follow. I would like to know what is it that the Sun Belt schools see in C-USA that’s so bright besides a better name with problems of its own and maybe $1 million dollars more in TV revenue.  Now C-USA commissioner says that more expansion is not out of the question, we all know that they want to reach that 16 team member conference. However Commissioner Banowsky keeps robbing smaller conferences for a reason just like he did the WAC, and why is that? Because Banowshy doesn’t want the WAC and Sun Belt Conference to exist, it’s just that simple. He wants the TV markets and the teams for a super conference and a better non-AQ status. He knows that he don’t have what it takes at this moment with the current team, and the teams he added just not of that caliber either to help boost C-USA. Banowshy is just a “wimp” to keep robbing other conferences for their teams because their own teams don’t desire to be with them any longer.

Word is also that Western Kentucky may follow suit, but their TV market may hold them back.

Commissioner Karl Benson said that he desire for the Sun Belt Conference to be bright and a step above C-USA. I would like to know how we are going to get there and when a blue print to get there will be released.  Will Commissioner Karl Benson address this matter this week beginning tomorrow as mention to a local radio show and newspaper? SBC Commissioner said on this past Thursday that he and the conference will begin addressing conference re-alignment and expansion beginning early as Monday.

In order for the Sun Belt Conference to survive all this shuffling and deflections of members, the SBC will need to do the following whether they like it or not, and if not they will see the SBC headed down the same old road as the Western Atlantic Conference. It’s real and we got to accept it as it is.

1.       SBC needs to added at least (4) new programs at a minimum, to create a conference championship and also to prevent falling below 10 programs. With MTSU and FAU out we are down to four. The fans of the SBC want a Championship game and will also help boos this conference and the fan base.

2.       SBC needs to address and negotiate better TV contracts and expand the TV contracts to more networks, such as DirectTV, Comcast, Media Com and FX networks. Our programs want more exposure and more revenue as well.  Our members would like more national televise games.

3.       SBC has to be willing to give back a little more to our members, and to help boost our conference.

4.       SBC needs to impose a exit fee beside just exit penalties. I can’t believe we don’t have an exit fee. Just come and leave as you please. May the SBC conference your play ground. SHAME!

5.       Negotiate more Bowl tie-ins to guarantee our teams to reach a post season bowl game.  

There are some potential candidates to bring into the Sun Belt Conference immediately and the Sun Belt Conference and its board should hold a special conference meeting to discuss extending a conference invitation to the following schools. These schools may be waiting for an invitation and be willing to join the conference as soon as possible, Georgia Southern, New Mexico State, Lamar, UT-Chattanooga, and Liberty. However Appalachian State made it known they are ready, but the question is will they now get invited to Conference USA or will the Sun Belt Conference beat C-USA and invite the Mountaineers.

Lamar will give Texas State a new in-state rival and partner in football well as basketball along with UTA. Don’t forget about Western Kentucky if they stick around a bit longer that they will be losing their rival in Middle Tennessee, so UT-Chattanooga will be a great replacement in Tennessee. Adding UT-Chattanooga will not only be a great add for Western Kentucky but to balance a possible eastern division in the Sun Belt Conference. Georgia State is coming in to the Conference next year and Georgia Southern will be a great addition for Georgia State in the State of Georgia. Appalachian State will also be a great addition and also will create rivalries with Georgia State, Georgia Southern and Western Kentucky.  Would the Sun Belt Conference desire to keep a presence in Florida, if so Florida A&M is there and have the facilities to move up, but money may be a program for them.

Why wouldn’t the Sun Belt Conference seek to add Southern Miss and UTEP? When all dominoes have fallen and there is nothing but a few left below the margin, what would happen?

When all is said and done, it is better that the Sun Belt Conference act now than later. Sitting back and watching it unfold is not the brightest idea. If the Sun Belt Conference would like to stay a step ahead of Conference USA they will need to go out and recruit and extend that hand that they continue to hold together and show love to those who wants to be loved. So all programs can begin to build and continue the great work the Sun Belt has started. 

A blow to the Sun Belt Conference: Middle Tennessee headed to C-USA

College football re-alignment may have found its way to Sun Belt Avenue once again. There is possible word that the Sun Belt Conference may be taking some more big hits, as they sit still and watch it all unfold in this business of college conference re-alignment.

                                                                                                                                                                               

On yesterday C-USA took another blow when Tulane and East Carolina decided to leave together for the changing Big East Conference.  So that caused another wave of conference shuffling. And this is no joke but reality. My question in all this is what is the Sun Belt Conference doing to do to survive and fight back. Or are they doing anything? We have not heard anything from the Sun Belt on any front, but in this regards the same old news headliner comments over and over again. It’s time for some action and details.

Rumors are out today that Middle Tennessee State is possibly headed to Conference USA. We will wait to see if this unfolds exactly how it sounds. There is no doubt that C-USA will be looking to replace their two lost members.

Conference USA is doing it to the Sun Belt Conference once again, just like they did it to the WAC. And now the Sun Belt has to go out and scramble to find schools that are willing to come in now and that are capable of being in the FBS.

Word is also that Western Kentucky may follow suit, but their TV market may hold them back. It is word out today that their soccer program is moving to the Pac-12, Oh REALLY? What is going on with the Sun Belt?

There are some potential candidates to bring into the Sun Belt Conference immediately, and the Sun Belt Conference and its board should hold a special called tele-conference meeting to discuss extending a conference invitation to the following schools. These schools may be waiting for an invitation, Georgia Southern, New Mexico State, Lamar, Jacksonville State, and Liberty. However Appalachian State made it known they are ready, but the question is will they now get invited to Conference USA as they have lost East Carolina in that region.

When all is said and done, it is better that the Sun Belt Conference act now than later. Sitting back and watching it unfold is not the brightest idea. If the Sun Belt Conference would like to stay a step ahead of Confernce USA they will need to go out and recruit and extend that hand that they continue to hold together and show love to those who wants to be loved. So all programs can begin to build and continue the great work the Sun Belt has started.

Middle Tennessee is another program that can leave without an exit fee to the conference. The Sun Belt Conference just lets other conference have their way with our conference.  SHAME!

Good Bye MIDDLE TENNESSEE! 

The best of the best brought home wins on Saturday as Sun Belt Conference Football comes to an end for 2012

What a season for the Sun Belt Conference? 

With the 2012 College Football Season coming to an end for the Sun Belt Conference and only one week left to go, many of the Sun Belt teams did what they needed to do to capture bowls invitations this post season.  For two teams they will be departing the SBC for C-USA, they played their last SBC games on Saturday.

There is one more week left for SBC football, with the biggest SBC game being in Jonesboro, Arkansas at Arkansas State against Middle Tennessee for the conference title. Arkansas State switch coaches after capturing the conference title last season, and brought in former Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn as their head coach, and certainly he has proven that he can be a head coach. Arkansas State is in the running for the SBC Championship once again for the second time in a row. WOW!  Middle Tennessee made a surprise turn around to rise to the top of the conference and they are also in the hunt for the SBC title.  The title game will be held at 2:00pm in Jonesboro, AR this will be a game worth watching and attending. Both teams are sitting at 8-3 for the season and both have a well qualified bowl berth.

When I look back over this season I look at it as the best season ever for the Sun Belt Conference. I also believe that the Sun Belt has proven to be a very competitive non-AQ conference. Several teams have defeated BCS conference teams and two of them in the number one conference in college football.

I give that credit to UL-Monroe, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.

I want to especially congratulate UL-Monroe Warhawks and Head Coach Todd Berry for what they have done with the program in Monroe, LA. WOW, the staff and players have really come together to turn this program around and turn it into a winning program. The Warhawks are at their best record since being in the FBS.  They should also get a bowl invitation in this post season. They defeated then No.6 Arkansas in their first game of the season, and the second week they nearly defeated their second SEC team at Auburn in overtime. Not only did they give the SEC teams a run for their money but they gave Baylor of the Big 12 a run for their money as well in Monroe, LA.  ULM is my most improved team in the Sun Belt Conference in 2012.

Western Kentucky has maintain a second straight season of a winning program. They ended their 2012 season on Saturday with a 1-point victory over North Texas defeating the Mean Green 25-24 to improve their record to 7-5 for the 2012 season. I have to give it to coach Willie Taggert for keeping a positive team that he improved since arriving in Bowling Green, KY. For the second straight season they have reach a bowl berth. However, last season they was not invited to a bowl, which they should have. This season may be different as I hope and think they will be in a bowl game this post season.  

South Alabama is the newest team to the SBC conference in 2012. And they have proven that they are ready for the big boy game, having played 12 games thus far and winning (2) of those games. They didn’t produce the record they desired, but they put forth the efforts in every angle. They played a great game at Mississippi State and stayed within the spread. They also traveled to NC State for the second time in a row. Now that they have gotten their feet super wet, the real ball begins in this offseason in recruiting and practicing for what is to come in 2013. Before they go into the offseason, they will travel to Hawaii for their 13^th game, which they say they are treating as their bowl game. With the performance of Hawaii this season, South Alabama Jaguars may be able to produce a win in Hawaii over a Mountain West Conference team before it’s all over. I want to give credit to QB Ross Metheny the Virginia transfer that came in and took over the starting QB job for the JAGS, he really did a great job this season. Also I give credit to C.J. Bennett for bringing the team to this level of play. I also want to credit to Jake Johnson a NFL prospect and B.J. Scott for a great job they have done for the Jaguars.

Florida Atlantic has done a great job under their new head coach Carl Pelini. The Owls have produced three wins this season. They captured 2 conference wins this season, it shows improvement. The OWLS also took Sun Belt Conference new member South Alabama into overtime, before losing that close game. Next season I think they will be more competitive under Carl Pelini and his staff.

Troy improved their season, but not enough to get back to the top of the Sun Belt and reach that bowl berth.  The Trojans lost a close game to Middle Tennessee on Saturday to get that bowl berth. The Trojans are sitting at 5-7 for the 2012 season.  Troy also played great games against Mississippi State and Tennessee, nearly defeating both. When Navy came to town, the Trojans showed no mercy has they defeated Navy 41-31 to inch closer to a bowl berth.

Let us not forget that the Blue Raiders went to Atlanta and defeated ACC - Georgia Tech with a commanding turndown. WOW!

UL-Lafayette also did it once again. They got that bowl berth and continuing to produce and maintain a winning program. I do expect this team that head coach Mark Hudspeth and staff has put together to rise to the top of the Sun Belt Conference. They turn away South Alabama to get that bowl invitation on last night from R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl scheduled for Dec. 22, 2012. WOW! 

North Texas & Florida International is off to the C-USA now that their era in the Sun Belt Conference is over as of Saturday. Both teams were defeated and were sent away with losing seasons. Florida International was the team to beat in the pre-season with projections nationwide to win the conference title before they depart. Other teams in the Sun Belt Conference showed them otherwise. North Texas also was looking to improve and get to a bowl berth this season before exiting the Sun Belt Conference but those hopes faded quickly.

Here is a quick look at the scores on Saturday:

South Alabama   - 30

@ UL-Lafayette    - 52

North Texas  - 24

@ Western Kentucky - 25

Troy  - 21

@ Middle Tennessee - 24

UL-Monroe – 23

@ FIU – 17 (FINAL OT)

Next Saturday will be the final week of SBC football and the conference title game in Jonesboro, AR. Here is a look at this week schedule as the season comes to a close.

South Alabama

@ Hawaii

UL-Lafayette

@ Florida Atlantic

Middle Tennessee

@ Arkansas State (Conference Title GAME)  2:00pm

Week 12 Football in the Sun Belt Conference

South Alabama & ULM looking to be spoilers today! 

With football in the Sun Belt Conference winning down, all games count today several teams are already bowl eligible and some are trying to see their bowl changes increase.

Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee the two teams that was left out of the pre-season favorite to win the conference, is battling it out for first place next week.

Who would have expected Arkansas State to be in the running again so soon for the conference title and Middle Tennessee? But it’s real and the two teams along with ULM have proved that they are serious.

Western Kentucky have again improved their team after several senior players left for the pro’s after last season, again looking to reach a 7 win mark for their program and secure a  bowl this time around on today.

South Alabama will be playing its last conference game of the season on today against UL-Lafayette on the road. They have one conference win thus far for the season, which I believe is still great for a new program on the FBS level and in the SBC. South Alabama will travel to Hawaii next weekend for its final 2012 football game of the season.

Florida International and North Texas is about to close their chapters in the Sun Belt Conference. FIU was picked to carry the conference crown with them, but the picture took a turn for the worst for the Miami, FL team. The will leave the conference with a losing record instead. North Texas had hoped they could get a bowl bid this season as well, and as it looks they will fall short as well.

Troy made some comebacks this season to improved their record from last season, however now enough to get them to a bowl game in 2012 either. If they get a win this weekend over Middle Tennessee it would help them in their chances with six wins.  Troy has played well this season, just have not been able to finish the game. This is a rival game as well on this weekend after Thanksgiving.

ULM is my most improved team of the Sun Belt Conference and they too are bowl eligible, today they will be looking to get 8 wins and get back in the race for the conference title if Middle Tennessee lose to Troy. Coach Berry has did a wonderful job in Monroe, LA.

UL-Lafayette is also looking to improve their season record to 7 wins today over South Alabama. They would like to be invited to another bowl game again this season for the second time in a row.

Today’s Games Nov 24^th…….

South Alabama

@ UL-Lafayette

North Texas

@ West Kentucky

Troy

@ Middle Tenessee

UL-Monroe

@ FIU

I hope you all enjoy these games on today and may the best team win. 

Sun Belt Conference has just two weeks remaining, who will it be?

Sun Belt Conference football season is coming to an end with just two weeks left, who will carry the crown of conference champs back home with them?

New comer South Alabama came in with a bang, surprising many that they too can hang on to the big boys and their conference members.  The Jaguars also have given their conference foes a tough time on the field with no easy wins. They had to earn it.

North Texas and FIU didn't do any better than the last season, in fact FIU panthers did worse to be the pre-season favorite to win the conference after they are schedule to depart the conference along with North Texas to C-USA.  It wasn’t what the Golden Panthers was looking for this season, and the Mean Green of North Texas was looking for a bowl season this year.

Western Kentucky started the season on a positive note and a scared one for other conference foes as if they were the team to beat early on. Now that the Hilltoppers have lost their last two games, their  title hopes have faded and now they have to try and get a bowl bid, something they was overlooked for last season. With another winning season Coach Willie Taggert and his team have nothing to hold their heads down for?  The Hilltoppers defeated (SEC) Kentucky and gave No. 1 (SEC) Alabama some problems on the field.

UL-Monroe falls on my #1 Most Improved Sun Belt Conference team, coming from seasons of losing records to a season of top ten defeats and conference title run. Coach Berry and his staff have really turned some heads with the work in his program. This team is a team to be proud of.  They knocked off No. 6 (SEC) Arkansas in their first game of the season, and then turn around and nearly defeated (SEC) Auburn in overtime. When they came back home to face (BIG 12) Baylor, they nearly defeated them as well in a close game. QB Browning really has showed his ability and talent with the help of his team mates to turn that program around.

FAU has gotten them two conference wins so far this season to put them at (3) wins thus far, and with a new staff and head coach Carl Pelini, the OWLS are making some noise. They may not be bowl eligible or have a winning season, but the OWL S have fought hard this season, and I expect them to improve in the near future and come back to the top and be bowl eligible in the future.

UL-Lafayette is another great program and has come off to a great start in hopes of doing better or repeating the season of last year. They have fallen short of couple games but still have some favor of making it to bowl eligibility. The Ragin Cajuns nearly defeated (SEC) No. 6 Florida a couple weeks ago.

Troy improved their second from last year, they showed their conference new comer South Alabama, which will be their new in-state conference rival that they are strong and some to be deal with. The Trojans went to (SEC) Tennessee and almost upset them, and defeated soon to be (BIG EAST) member Navy.  They too still have a chance to get to six wins to make it to bowl eligibility.

Arkansas State and their new head coach Gus Malzahn have really held on to what they have and be to in the running for the conference title once again for the second straight year. Many thought it would have been tough for Coach Malzahn in his first year as head coach, but he has proven many to be wrong.

Middle Tennessee has stepped back into the title hunt; they have been running the table on their conference foes.  It is my projection that Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and Arkansas State Red Wolves contend for the conference title, if these two teams don’t lose in the two final games. Middle Tennessee also defeated a BCS member Georgia Tech.

This has been an impressive season for the Sun Belt Conference and their members.  Many teams have improved and it has translated on the field with big wins and being tough players.  This is the conference that I envision for the South, a conference that is second to the SEC with tough games and tough players. This season the Sun Belt Conference has really shown that they are moving on up and if you are on their schedule in the near future, then you need to be ready for a tough battle.

Texas State is preparing to enter the Sun Belt Conference they too are a solid program with a great coach. This team with three wins for the season so far has defeated in-state foe Houston, and there goes Georgia Sate in Atlanta. This team has built a great program under the legendary Coach Bill Curry who has retired from the Panthers. Now that the Panthers is searching for a new coach, we all hope that it will be someone to carry on the momentum of this new football program as we welcome them into the Sun Belt Conference.  

Week 11 Scores:

On Friday FIU travel up to FAU and defeated the OWLS to get their second conference win of the season, and stack up on their already poor season that so many had hoped to be a positive one.  Now that the season is over, Florida International have no chance of winning the conference crown before they depart for C-USA.  FIU 34 FAU 24

Middle Tennessee one of the conference crown contenders traveled to Mobile, Alabama to take on the Sun Belt Conference new comer in football South Alabama. The Blue Raiders held off the Jaguars in a close game to remain in the crown hunt.  

Middle Tennessee 20- South Ala 12

Arkansas State is that team that keeps on running. The Red Wolves defeated the Troy Trojans in Troy. Arkansas State is also in the hunt for the conference title for the second time in a row. 

Arkansas State 41 – Troy 34

North Texas just can’t get to games to reach it to a bowl. UL-Monroe improved their record for the season to get to a bowl for the first time. They held on the Mean Green of North Texas. 

North Texas 16 – ULM 42

Western Kentucky let another game go on the road this time to UL-Lafayette. The Ragin Cajuns held here grown at home to defeat the Hilltoppers. West Kentucky 27 – ULL 31

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders holds off Alabama State hornets

Middle Tennessee Men's Basketball

In Murfeesboro, TN the Blue Raiders Jason Jones scored 19 points on 9-of-9 shooting and Middle Tennessee trampled Alabama State 97-53 in each team's season opener Friday night.

Middle Tennessee left no room for a victory from Alabama State Hornets, the Blue celebrated at home with a dominate victory.

James Gallman had 15 points for Middle Tennessee, including 5 of 7 from beyond the 3-point arc. The Blue Raiders were 11 of 27 from 3. The 97 points were the most for Middle Tennessee since dropping 109 points on Houston Baptist on Feb. 13, 2010.

Sun Belt Preseason Men's Basketball All-Conference Team

Basketball season is almost here and players of the year and possible conference champions are already being mention.

Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Tony Mitchell was named 2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year, while Middle Tennessee and North Texas were unanimous selections to win the SBC East and West Divisions, respectively, the league office announced Wednesday.

In conference games last season, Mitchell averaged a double-double and led the league in points per game (15.9), rebounds per game (11.8), three-point percentage (.471) and blocked shots (50). The sophomore forward also shot 58.1 percent from the field which placed second in the league.

MT was tabbed to win the SBC East after taking all 11 preseason first place votes. The Blue Raiders won the SBC Regular Season crown in 2011-12 with a 14-2 mark and earned votes in this year’s USA Today coaches’ preseason poll for the first time in program history.

North Texas was placed to finish first in the SBC West after receiving all 11 preseason first place votes.

The Blue Raiders return 10 of their top 12 leading scorers from last season, including Preseason All-SBC First Team selection Marcos Knight. The senior guard from Rentz, Ga., registered 11.8 points and 3.0 assists per game last year. His 1.6 assist:turnover ratio in conference play ranked third in the league.

Picked to finish second in the SBC East was South Alabama under the direction of 14th-year head coach Ronnie Arrow. The Jaguars return seven letterwinners and their top three scorers from last year’s 17-12 squad, with Preseason All-SBC First Team selection Augustine Rubit leading the way.

Rubit, a junior forward from Houston, Texas, earned All-SBC First Team accolades last year and was the only Jaguar to start all 29 games. He led the league in rebounding for the second consecutive season and ranked 38th in the nation with 9.2 per game. He also returns as the league’s leading scorer after dropping in 15.2 points a game last season, second best in the conference.

After leading UALR to a first-place finish in the SBC West last season, sophomore Will Neighbour inked his name on the Preseason All-SBC First Team. In his rookie season, the big man poured in 10.5 points per game while pulling down 5.3 rebounds. He also proved his shooting accuracy by knocking down 81.5 percent from the free throw line and 41.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Neighbour was a Second Team All-SBC selection last season and will look to lead a young UALR team that welcomes nine newcomers. The Trojans are guided by 10th-year head coach Steve Shields and are projected to finish third in the SBC West as they return three letterwinners.

Arkansas State senior guard Trey Finn rounded out the Preseason All-SBC First Team after sinking 11.6 points per game last season for the Red Wolves. Finn tallied 21 double-digit scoring games last season and also brought down 5.3 rebounds per game. He started 29 of 30 contests for ASU and connected on a team-high 61 three-pointers while shooting 45.9 percent from long-range.

Under the direction of fifth-year head coach John Brady, ASU was picked to finish second in the SBC West Division. The Red Wolves return four starters from last year’s team, including leading scorer and Preseason All-SBC Third Team selection Marcus Hooten.

Defending SBC Tournament champions WKU was tabbed for a third place finish in the SBC East and returns 63.3 percent of its scoring from last season. The Hilltoppers knocked off Mississippi Valley State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season and have won at least one game in its last three NCAA Tournament appearances (2008, 09, 12).

WKU returns four starters and nine letterwinners from last year’s team, including Preseason All-SBC Second Team selection George Fant. The Hilltoppers have made it to at least the SBC Tournament semifinals in eight consecutive seasons.

The SBC will have two regular-season nationally televised games on ESPN2 in addition to the SBC Championship finals in Hot Springs on March 11. Florida Atlantic will travel to Indiana on Dec. 21 in the first nationally televised game, and either WKU at MT or UALR at NT will be aired on ESPN2 on Jan. 26.

Four SBC contests will be nationally televised on ESPNU, and an additional eight matchups can be seen on ESPN3.com. The Sun Belt Network will air seven regular-season games and the SBC Championship quarterfinals and semifinals.

2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference First Team

 ■Will Neighbour (UALR, Jr., Forward)

 ■Trey Finn (Arkansas State, Sr., Guard)

 ■Marcos Knight (Middle Tennessee, Sr., Guard)  

 ■Tony Mitchell (North Texas, So., Forward)

 ■Augustine Rubit (South Alabama, Jr., Forward)

2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Second Team

 ■Brandon Peterson (Arkansas State, Sr., Forward)

 ■Greg Gantt (Florida Atlantic, Sr., Guard)

 ■JT Sulton (Middle Tennessee, Sr., Forward)

 ■Bruce Massey (Middle Tennessee, Sr., Guard)

 ■George Fant (WKU, So., Forward)

2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Third Team

 ■Marcus Hooten (Arkansas State, Sr., Guard)

 ■Raymond Cintron (Middle Tennessee, Sr., Guard)

 ■Javier Carter (South Alabama, Sr., Forward)

 ■Freddie Goldstein (South Alabama, Sr., Guard)

 ■T.J. Price (WKU, So., Guard)

2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year

 ■Tony Mitchell (North Texas, So., Forward)

2012-13 Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

(First place votes in parentheses)

EAST DIVISION

1. Middle Tennessee – 65 points (11)

2. South Alabama – 51 points

3. WKU – 47 points

4. Florida Atlantic – 29 points

5. Troy – 22 points

6. FIU – 17 points

WEST DIVISION

1. North Texas – 55 points (11)
2. Arkansas State – 40 points
3. UALR – 33 points
4. Louisiana-Lafayette – 24 points
5. Louisiana-Monroe – 13 points

Middle Tennessee defeats Florida International in their last game as a conference foe

Middle Tennessee showed no mercy to Florida International in their last game as a conference foe as they rallied for a 34-30 victory on Saturday night.

Reggie Whatley scored on a 7-yard TD rush with 36 seconds to go as Middle Tennessee rallied to defeat FIU 34-30 on Saturday night. Whatley helped set up his own game-winning score after FIU (1-6, 0-3) had taken the lead, returning the ensuing kickoff 43 yards to set up Middle Tennessee at the FIU 40-yard line in the game's final minute.

Benny Cunningham scored two touchdowns and rushed for a career-high 232 yards on 36 carries for the Blue Raiders, while Logan Kilgore threw for 267 yards and a touchdown.

This was a game I gave to Middle Tennessee, and they pull it off just like that. I can also say that I am counting FIU out of a conference title with the Sun Belt Conference as they depart for their new home in the C-USA.

Middle Tennessee is bouncing back for success in the Sun Belt on a winning streak and looking to get to post season action. Seemed as though someone did call Tyrone!...lol. The new defensive coordinator is work is showing on the newly improved Blue Raiders team.

Reggie Whatley, Logan Kilgore and Benny Cunningham are my top players of the game on Saturday night in Miami.