JONESBORO, Ark. (11/12/20) – Arkansas State men's basketball was picked fourth in the Sun Belt Conference's West Division as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches, the league office announced Thursday.
The divisional poll is released with the conference shifting to a division-only schedule for the 2020-21 season. Little Rock was picked to win the division followed by Louisiana and UT Arlington. Texas State was selected fifth while ULM rounds out the division. In the overall poll, A-State was selected to finish ninth behind Georgia Southern.
On the East side, Georgia State was picked to win, followed by South Alabama. Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Troy round out the division. The Sun Belt Conference Tournament is March 5-8 in Pensacola, Fla. All 12 teams will advance to the tournament with the top two teams in each division earning a first-round bye.
The Red Wolves return two starts, preseason All-Sun Belt selections Marquis Eaton and Caleb Fields, from the 2019-20 squad that finished with a 16-16 record. Fourth-year head coach Mike Balado and A-State return four letterwinners and adds eight newcomers along with two players who redshirted last season.
A-State is scheduled to open the 2020-21 season Wednesday, Nov. 25 against Jackson State at the Justin Reed Ole Miss Classic in Oxford, Miss. The home opener is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4 against Crowley's Ridge College at First National Bank Arena. For the latest on A-State men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@AStateMB), Facebook (/AStateMB) and Instagram (@astatemb).
2020-21 Sun Belt Preseason Coaches Poll
Overall
1. Little Rock – 140 (9)
2. Georgia State – 131 (1)
3. Louisiana – 106 (1)
4. South Alabama – 98
5. UT Arlington – 87 (1)
6. Coastal Carolina – 86
7. Appalachian State – 79
8. Georgia Southern – 55
9. Arkansas State – 49
10. Texas State – 47
11. ULM – 35
12. Troy – 22
East Division
1. Georgia State
2. South Alabama
3. Coastal Carolina
4. Appalachian State
5. Georgia Southern
6. Troy
West Division
1. Little Rock
2. Louisiana
3. UT Arlington
4. Arkansas State
5. Texas State
6. ULM
