Wilson Van Hooser reportly transferring to Troy from Tulane

Wilson Van Hooser

According to the Troy Messenger Wilson Van Hooser is likey to join the Troy Trojans maybe this week. According the Troy Messenger in Troy, the Baton Rouge Advocate first reported that Van Hooser would be transferring.

Van Hooser is a native of Montgomery, Alabama and is looking to transfer back home to be closer to his mom. Tulane coaches has reached out to both Troy and Auburn.

Van Hooser said he need to make a big decision. In 2011 Hooser caught 36 passes for 487 yards and four scores.

SBC New Logo – Together We Wise

The spring meetings are in full swing for the Sun Belt Conference in Destin, FL, and they began the meetings in the Sun Shine State with bright colors. The Sun Belt Conference unveiled their new logo that will represent a new Sun Belt.

Sun Belt Conference New Logo 

Beginning June 1, 2013 the SBC will have a new logo as they welcome several new teams to the conference and will be made up of nearly a new look of members after the 2013 season. Georgia State, Texas State, Texas-Arlington will join in all sports on July 1^st, and South Alabama football program will add their new fledging football program to the Sun Belt Conference as a full member. Sun Belt Conference will welcome New Mexico State, Georgia Southern, Idaho and Appalachian State in 2014. 

"The unveiling of our new logo comes after months of review of how we wanted to express the 'new' Sun Belt Conference," Commissioner Karl Benson said in a press release. "It is a very exciting chance for us to display the opportunity and optimism that exists in the Sun Belt Conference as we move forward."

The Sun Belt Conference is now empowered by a new brand identity that capitalizes on 4 key principles (AMBITIOUS, AUTHENTIC, LOYAL, and ADVENTUROUS). In addition, a new identity will represent the reinvigoration of the Sun Belt Conference brand through several points of uniqueness:

1. The chosen identity highlights the sun as a powerful and iconic expression for the conference that suggests unity, strength, promise and ambition. 

2. The individual parts of the icon combine to create a unified whole and represent strength in togetherness; a foundational value at the core of the Sun Belt Conference brand. 

3. The band of blue across the diameter of the icon symbolizes the Sun “Belt” region, while dually creating the feeling of a sun breaking the horizon at the dawn of a new day.

The Sun Belt Conference as unveil their new motto: "Together We Rise" 

We all are hoping for a brighter future in the Sun Belt Conference as we move forward. As the spring meetings continue through media day Wednesday, I will continue to keep you informed and bring you all the updates. 

Tojans completes there Spring Game with a White Team 22-14 victory

A team that seen two losing seasons and was expected to bounce back last season, is looking to do this year as they look to have improved this spring. Troy is looking to reclaim their identity as champions when they take to the field this fall. The Trojans ran through approximately 80 plays with the defense and offense splitting into two teams to showcase what they have to offer and been working on during this offseason.

Head Coach Larry Blakeney

Four quarterbacks threw for touchdowns and the defense saw multiple highlight plays as the white squad defeated the cardinal, 22-14, on Saturday in Troy.

“We got a little over 80 snaps which was our goal,” head coach Larry Blakeney said. Coach also said that he is expected to bring in more talent when other players who signed with the Trojans come in June and add to the team.

Senior quarterback Corey Robinson finished the day 11-of-15 passing for 130 yards and a touchdown, while senior Deon Anthony finished 7-of-10 for 124 yards and a score, to go along with 29 yards rushing on five carries. Dallas Tidwell went 7-of-7 for 112 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Eric Thomas led the group of receivers on the day with 81 yards on six catches, while K.D. Edenfield finished with 48 yards on five receptions and a touchdown. Chandler Worthy hauled in three receptions for 90 yards and a score, while Bryan Holmes finished with just one catch, a 69-yard touchdown grab.

The Trojans may not have gotten all they wanted in the spring, but there is still time and a chance to get more improved this summer and fall.  I believe that the Trojans have the weapons; they just have to put them in place. 

It’s T-Day in Troy

If a Trojans fans want to see what Troy is offering in 2013, then today is the day to come out and see. At 11:00am at Veterans Memorial Stadium Troy will take the field to showcase what they have learned in the spring and what to expect this fall.

It's hard to say what the defense is made of at this point since there were a lot of holes to fill during the spring. The secondary has injuries but not of concern.

Troy has seen a losing season for the past two years and they are trying to find their light somewhere to bounce back to where they were on the top of the Sun Belt Conference. The Trojans have some signees that will come in this fall that will also make a impact on the team. 

South Alabama & Troy hires new Men Basketball coaches this week

Coach Matthew Graves 

South Alabama has hired Butler assistant Matthew Graves and held a press conference on yesterday to introduce Graves. South Alabama head coach Ronnie Arrow retired at the beginning of the season, after only 10 games. Assistant Jeff Price took over the program as interim head coach, and did a great job to close out the Jags season with a 17-13 record.

Matthew Graves brings experience to South Alabama, having served on Butler MBB staff as an assistant. Coach Graves has helped Butler to two NCAA finals in recent years.

Welcome to South Alabama and the Sun Belt Conference.

Coach Phil Cunningham

Troy hires Western Kentucky Cunningham:

Troy has hired Phil Cunningham from rival Western Kentucky. Coach Cunningham was introduced in a news conference Tuesday at Trojan Arena to replace Don Maestri, who retired at the Sun Belt tournament after 31 seasons and 500 wins.

Cunningham spent five years as an assistant under Lefty Driesell at James Madison and Georgia State and worked for 12 seasons at Mississippi State. He spent one season at Western Kentucky.

Welcome to Troy Coach Cunningham. 

Troy football scheduled for three ESPNU games in 2013

Troy is looking for an exciting season in 2013 as they are beginning to bounce back to where they once were. In 2013 the Troy Trojans is locking up on TV appearances and they are looking to wear a crown.

So far three of the Trojans football games will be televised on national TV according to the Sun Belt Conference.  Troy will host ULM, and travel to UL-Lafayette for both home games. Troy will also get a Thursday night game against Arkansas State on ESPNU as well.

Troy is loaded and talented and expect the Trojans to be a force in 2013. 

Sun Belt Conference releases their 2013 Football Schedule

With spring practices under the way or beginning soon for many Sun Belt schools, they have now learned their complete 2013 Sun Belt Football schedule.

For the first time the Sun Belt Schedule will include two new members in Georgia State and Texas State. All Sun Belt schools will play seven games in the conference and five non conference games. Florida International, Florida Atlantic, North Texas and Middle Tennessee have all left for Conference USA. With those departures the Sun Belt Conference schedule still looks appealing.  

Here is a look at some of the notable non-conference games and conference games for the Sun Belt Conference in 2013.

Notable Non- Conference Games:

South Alabama at Tennessee
Texas State at Texas State

Arkansas State at Auburn

UL-Monroe at Oklahoma

Troy at Ole Miss

UL-Lafayette at Arkansas

Western Kentucky at Kentucky

Georgia State at Alabama

Notable Conference Games:

Arkansas State at Western Kentucky

South Alabama at Troy

Troy at Arkansas State

UL-Monroe at Louisiana – Lafayette

South Alabama at Georgia State

Troy at Western Kentucky

Texas State at UL-Lafayette

I will bring you more coverage during spring practices and later in the year. 

Troy brings in a strong class in 2013

Troy is looking to improve their offensive and defensive line and they found some recruits that would help them get to where they are trying to get to in the upcoming 2013-2014 season and beyond. They have brought in some good talent. Let us take a look at the talent the Trojans have brought in.

Troy 2013 recruiting class is lead by recruit Sam Lebbi of Dematha Catholic in Hyattsville, Maryland; he is rated as the # 6 6’1 235lbs middle linebacker in the country by one scouting service, which also puts him at a four-star recruit with one recruiting service.  

The Trojans have also brought in CB Cardell Lue 6’0 185lbs of Hebron High School in Carrollton, TX , RB Tim Longmire 5’11 194lbs of Godby High School in Tallahassee, FL, OL David Gross, 6’5 270lbs from Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery, Alabama and Jordan Chunn a 6’0 205lbs running back from Madison County High School in Gurley, Alabama. These players where highly recruited and should receive immediate playing time with the Troy Trojans.

Also signed with the Trojans on yesterday are the following recruits.

Joshua Anderson, RB

South Paulding H.S., Douglasville, Ga.

5-11, 230

3-Start Recruit

Arie Anderson, DT

Stanhope Elmore H.S., Millbrook, Ala.

6-3, 285

Jaylen Daniels, DE

Dooley Co., H.S., Vienna, Ga.

6-3, 205

Taylor Driggers, DT

Brantley, Ala., H.S.

6-2, 250

Taylor Edwards, OL

Water valley, Miss., H.S.

6-4, 290

Highly recruited by several schools

Xavier Fields, OL

Stanhope Elmore, H.S., Millbrook, Ala.

6-4, 345

Dondrell Harris, DB

Rutherford H.S., Panama City, Fla.

5-11, 180

Jalen Harris, WR

Northview, H.S., Dothan, Ala.

6-1, 185

Julius McCall, DB

Chelsea, Ala., H.S.

5-10, 170

Brett Medforth, OL

Sylacauga, Ala., H.S.

6-3, 245

Zach Moore, LB

Coffee County, H.S., Douglas, Ga.

6-1, 200

Clark Quisenberry, WR

Enterprise, Ala.

6-3, 205

Seth Roberts, DT

Ariton, Ala., H.S.

6-4, 250

Bryan Slater, DL

St. Paul's Episcopal School, Mobile, Ala.

6-2, 268

Montavious Smoke, DB

Stanhope Elmore H.S., Millbrook, Ala.

6-1, 182

Jevius Terry, DB

Eagles Landing Christian Academy, McDonough, Ga.

5-9, 160

We can also look for Josh Anderson of Douglasville, GA to make a strong impact for the Trojans along with Taylor Edwards of Water Valley, Mississippi.

GO TROJANS! 

Troy adds nine mid-year signees

On Thursday Troy head football coach Larry Blakeney announced the additions of nine mid-year enrollees to their football program for the spring semester of 2013. Looking at each of the individuals that were announced, look like Blakeney and his staff have added some great talent.

The following enrollees to Troy all signed in February of 2012 and took a grayshirt year in the fall and each of the enrollees did not use a year of eligibility.

Defensive back Rishad Goode (Madison, Ala.-Bob Jones HS), 6’0, 190lbs
Linebacker Terris Lewis (Linden, Ala.-Linden HS), 6’3, 195lbs
Linebacker Mitchell Roland (Auburn, Ala.-Auburn HS), 6’1, 230lbs
Quarterback Brandon Silvers (Gulf Shores, Ala.-Gulf Shores HS) 6’3, 200lbs
Defensive end Jamal Stadom (Melbourne, Fla.-Melbourne HS) 6’2, 226lbs

Wide receiver Antonio Johnson of Oklahoma City, OK and cornerback Keion Payne of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. joins Troy football team after spending the 2012 season at Hutchinson Community College. Payne, who was a four-star prospect out of high school, played at Miami for two seasons before transferring to Hutchinson to continue his college career. It is unknown at this time how much of eligibility Payne has left.

Freshmen OL Aaron Herring of Alachua, Fla.-Sante Fe HS, and Jonathan Boring of Lexington, S.C.-Lexington HS also enrolled as mid-year enrollees.

Each of these players seems to be a great fit for the Trojans football program, they all should bring dept and great talent to Troy.

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

Week 11 Sun Belt Conference Football Action

Action Today is Win or You Out For Some Teams

1. Sun Belt newcomer South Alabama will travel to North Texas to face the Mean Green in their only conference matchup. The Jaguars is looking to overcome their last lost to FIU with a win over North Texas, both teams are scheduled to depart for C-USA next season.

2. UL-Lafayette will travel to No. 6 Florida today to face the gators, the Ragin Cajuns is hoping to pull a upset here after a comeback win over the No.1  team in the Sun Belt UL-Monroe.

3. Western Kentucky will host Florida Atlantic in Bowling Green, KY today at @ 12:00noon. Western Kentucky is already bowl eligible with a 6-3 overall record, they are looking to get their 7^th win of the season for another perfect record today against the Owls.

4. Troy Trojans will host Navy today in Troy, the Trojans nearly defeated SEC Tennessee on last Saturday. This is a game to watch to see if the Trojans can get that 5^th win of the season over Navy and get closer to bowl eligibility before the season is over. This match will be at 2:30 CST on ESPN 3.

On Thursday Night, Arkansas State hosted the No.1 team in the Sun Belt Conference UL-Monroe, and handed them a big loss. Arkansas State won 45-23 over UL-Monroe. Arkansas State is now 7-3 this season and UL-Monroe is 6-4 both teams are bowl eligible. I do believe UL-Monroe will finish the season with 7 wins for the first time in a long time.  

Troy beat Mississippi State on Friday in Their Season Opener

In a brand new arena in Troy, the Trojans of celebrates a 

Troy 56, Mississippi State 53 win on Friday.

 

Sun Belt Conference Troy Trojans also beat a major conference team on Friday, when Mississippi State came to town to open their first game of the season. Both teams and fans enjoyed the luxury of the brand new $40 Million arena.

 

Trojans celebrate win over  SEC Mississippi State

“You see stuff like that on TV all the time at the big colleges,” senior guard Emil Jones said. “To have it at home was real big.”

It spoiled Mississippi State coach Rick Ray’s debut and G.W. Carver graduate Craig Sword’s first college game.

Tevin Calhoun scored 12 points off the bench to lead Troy, while Jones and Williams added 10 each. Jalen Steele had 16 points, Trivante Bloodman 11 and Gavin Ware 10 for MSU.

On Monday, the Trojans will travel to face Texas A&M Aggies.

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