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. 

WKU Explosive Offensive Performance gets a 42-3 Win in Annual Spring Game

It was an explosive day in Bowling Green that resulted in a showcase of talent, as new Head coach Bobby Petrino watch his new team prepare for what could be their championship year in football and second bowl appearance in FBS history.

Behind 509 total yards of offense, including 314 yards passing from junior quarterback Brandon Doughty, the WKU Red Team took down the White Team 42-3 in front of an estimated 6,500 fans at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on Saturday in the annual Spring Game.

The Red Team, comprised of the first team-offense and the first-team defense, accounted for a total of 357 yards through the air, while churning out 152 yards rushing on 27 carries, averaging more than five yards per rush, while limiting the White Team to 159 yards of total offense.

Western Kentucky wide receivers Willie McNeal and tight end Mitchell Henry proved to be lethal for the Red Team, as the duo combined for 209 yards receiving on 13 catches and five touchdown grabs. McNeal has a good day as he hauled in seven catches for 115 yards and three scores, while Henry had 94 yards receiving on six catches and two touchdowns. Henry was one of three total tight ends to catch multiple passes on Saturday, as his Red Team counterpart Tyler Higbee caught three passes for 73 yards and a touchdown, while White Team tight end Tim Gorski had three catches for 36 yards.

Head coach Petrino has put together a staff to assist him getting this explosion to happen with the Hilltoppers. Looking into the fall and to who will lead the team to their victories was something to watch on yesterday.

All eyes were on the three WKU quarterbacks on Saturday, as Doughty led the Red Team, while James Mauro played primarily on the White Team and Damarcus Smith split reps with both the Red and the White team. Doughty finished his day 23-of-35 for 314 yards and five touchdowns, with three of the touchdown passes going to Willie McNeal. Mauro threw for 107 yards on 8-of-18 passing, while Smith totaled 83 yards passing on 6-of-16 passing with one touchdown.

Not only did the offense score and perform well, the defense rocked along to be impressive to. "I thought defensively we did a nice job," WKU head coach Bobby Petrino said.

We will wait and see who Coach Bobby Petrino name as starting quarterback this fall, as expected if nothing happens I expect him to name Brandon Doughty as starting quarterback.  

Report: Western Kentucky is headed to CUSA

Over the past few days many reports and rumors have surfaced that Western Kentucky is headed to Conference USA a conference that would look like the old Sun Belt Conference soon.

It is reportedly that WKU will move all of it’s athletic programs to CUSA and a official announcement could come as early as Monday. I have learn today that a special called meeting has been called and scheduled with the Board of Regents on Monday; so this is a sign of truth for the Hilltoppers that want out of the Sun Belt Conference.

Western Kentucky has denied and continued to deny any communication with CUSA, however the silence didn’t last too long. Western Kentucky will be replacing Tulsa after they bolt CUSA for the un-named conference in 2014. Western Kentucky is not expected to leave early but will depart the SBC in 2014.

It is rumored as well that the Sun Belt Conference will invite James Madison Dukes as its newest member to replace Western Kentucky in a soon to be eastern division of the Sun Belt Conference. Other FCS candidates have been mention as well such as Liberty, Lamar, UT-Chattanooga and etc. However everyone believes James Madison is that leading candidate.

Stay Tuned! 

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. 

A look around the Sun Belt Conference on Signing Day 2013

The Sun Belt Conference programs, coaches and staff recruited big this 2013 signing class, I love the talent they have brought in all SBC programs, especially the size of the players. I think the SBC programs can now put together a rooster for this fall that will be very competitive with other FBS schools.

Trent Miles signs his first class at Georgia State

Two three star recruits in OLB Knight Dallas and DT Jalen Lawrence both of Georgia leads the 2013 signing class for the Georgia State Panthers.  Dallas is a 6’1 220lbs OLB from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain and Lawrence is a 6’0 265lb Defensive tackle from Westside High School in Macon, Ga, both of these recruits should get immediate reps and make an immediate impact on the team.

Texas State goes big with it’s 2013 signing class

The Bobcats brings in (2) four star recruits in running back Jamel James 5’11 220lbs of Katy, TX and Brice Gunter 6’3 190lbs a wide receiver from Stephenville, Texas. The Bobcats 2013 recruiting talent continues with (4) three star recruits in Dila Rosemond 5’10 166lbs of Cypress, TX,  JUCO Marcus Dallas a 6’4 245lbs from Reedly, CA, Demun Mercer 6’2 180lbs of La Marque, Texas and offensive guard Jackson Hoskins 6’5 290lbs from Drippings Springs, Texas.

Western Kentucky signs 33 in 2013

Head coach Bobby Petrino's first Western Kentucky recruiting class includes 33 players and some talented players that will help WKU to have a winning program. All Twenty-five prospects signed on Wednesday and the other eight are mid-year enrollees eligible to participate in the Hilltoppers' spring practices.

One four star recruit in Offensive tackle Joe Fennell 6’5 310lbs of South Ft. Myers, FL, and (3) three star offensive linemen stand outs on signing day in JUCO Connor Popeck 6’3 280lbs of Itawamba CC, Olive Branch, MS, Issac Turner 6’0 201lbs of Tampa, FL and Donald Rocker 6’4 301lbs of Sandalwood High, Jacksonville, Fla.

Arkansas State head football coach Bryan Harsin first signing class looking good

Coach Harsin brought in some talent in the Red Wolves 2013 signing class in Offensive line backer Xavier Woodson 6’1 210lbs of Eufaula, Alabama,Carl Lee a 6’3 188lbs wide receiver from Mobile, Alabama,Wide receiver Marquez Lanton 6’1 170lbs from Memphis, TN and  Logan Cart a 6’3 300lbs defensive tackle from Owensboro, Kentucky.

All of these guys plus many other talented players should get immediate reps and playing time with the Arkansas State Red Wolves.

ULL head coach Mark Hudspeth calls his class the most talented in school history

The UL-Lafayette class consists of 22 players, including 18 from high school and four junior college players.

ULL signing day stand outs includes JUCO Cedrick Tillman a 5’9 190lbs corner back from Grenada, MS and JUCO Corey Trim a 5’11 180lbs corner back from Baton Rouge, LA and both are rated at three stars.  Also signing with the Ragin Cajuns on signing day were three start wide receiver Scott Austin 6’3 180lbs of Biloxi, MS, three star offensive line backer James Clark 6’2 205lbs from Sebastian, FL, and Simeon Thomas a 6’3 172lb three star safety from Miami, FL.

UL-Monroe signs talent on Signing Day

Coach Todd Berry brought in a decent class in during the 2013 National Signing Day period. Coach Berry and his staff worked hard this off season in recruiting to land two big recruits in Tevin Horton and Chase Regian and also picking up Bivins Caraway in the process.

(1)    Tevin Horton is a three star RB from River Ridge, LA and stands at 5’10 190lbs.

(2)    Chase Regian is a three star offensive guard from Heath, TX and he stands at 6’3 276lbs.

(3)    Bivins Caraway is a talented QB/DT from Longview, TX and he stands at 5’11 210lbs.

All of these recruits among several others should make an immediate impact on the Warhawks squad in 2013. 

Joe Miday hired at Western Kentucky

Coach Joe Miday

Joe Miday has been hired at WKU after six seasons on the strength and conditioning staff at Marshall University, including the last two seasons as the head strength and conditioning coach with the Thundering Herd football team. Miday will oversee the entire WKU football strength and conditioning program.

I am really excited to add Joe to our staff and can't wait to see the impact he will have on our football program," WKU head coach Bobby Petrino said. "Joe did an outstanding job as the head strength and conditioning coach at Marshall and I feel like he will be a great fit for us here at WKU."

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. 

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.  

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