Continuing with the New Year Report, we have Part Five today, which includes three VERY underrated conferences – the Summit League, the Sun Belt, and the Big West – and a conference in total transition that might be better than people think, the WAC.
SUMMIT
Gone was Oral Roberts last year and Oakland defected this year. The league is hurting with the departure of its two best programs, but they have some up-and-coming programs there to take their places, including the addition of a real up-and-coming program in Denver.
- Preseason Favorite: North Dakota State
The Bisons were expected to be one of the best mid-majors this year and are the clear favorites in the Summit. - Most Impressive: North Dakota State
Though they did lose at IPFW in their conference opener just last night, the Bisons were really solid throughout the non-conf slate, including wins over Delaware, Towson, and the big one – at Notre Dame. - Most Disappointing: South Dakota State
Any time you lose a guy like Nate Wolters, you are going to take a step backwards, but the Jackrabbits looked lost at the beginning of the year. They have started to pick up the pieces and might be tough in conference play, but they are no longer dominant without Mr. Wolters. - “My” Favorite: Nebraska-Omaha
A lot to choose from here because there are some good under-the-radar teams here this year. But, I’m going with a team that isn’t even eligble for the postseason this year – which might be a good thing for the rest of the SL, as the Mavericks look ready to compete for a bid. - Potential Sleeper: IPFW
Even before their big win over NDSU last night, I had pegged this team as a real sleeper in the Summit because they went 12-5 against a decent non-conference slate. - Also Relevant: Denver
This Denver team was supposed to be the only challenge to NDSU this year, but with IPFW and Omaha emerging, it is clearly at least a 4-team race with the Pioneers clearly in the middle of it. - Dregs: IUPUI
How far this program has fallen since their shoeless coach took them to the Dance. They are really bad this year. - The Pick: North Dakota State
While the race is going to be a lot tighter than originally expected, the Bisons are still relatively heavy favorites, and I would NOT want to see them next to me on Selection Sunday.
SUN BELT
Massive changes to one of the most stable leagues this year, as the Sun Belt was raided by Conference USA, who stole Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Florida-Atlantic, and Florida-International. The Belt struck back by grabbing two decent programs in Georgia State and UT-Arlington and one potential sleeping giant in Texas State (who is starting to just pour money into the athletic department).
- Preseason Favorite: Georgia State
There were some who liked WKU or Arkansas State or even a few that were on LA-Lafayette, but Georgia State has two high-major players in the coach’s son, R.J. Hunter and the transfer from Kentucky (among others), Ryan Harrow. - Most Impressive: Louisiana-Lafayette
The best non-conference season has to go to the Ragin’ Cajuns, who beat Oakland, Northwestern State (by 31), La Tech (on the road), and Houston. Before a shocking loss to the SWAC’s Jackson State, their only losses were road games at Louisville, Arkansas, and Baylor. - Most Disappointing: South Alabama
When you bring a guy back that averaged a shade under 20 and 10 last year (Augustine Rubit), you are supposed to good. And, the Jaguars have plenty of talent around Rubit, as well. But, they have been snakebitten in the early going and sit at 0-3 in conference play, which might be a hole too big to overcome. - “My” Favorite: South Alabama
I still believe in the talent on this team, particularly when you have the best player on the floor just about every night. - Potential Sleeper: Louisiana-Monroe
Used to be the league doormat, ULM has surprised some people in the early going. I doubt they will actually contend, but they might actually play in the Sun Belt tourney this year. - Also Relevant: Arkansas State, AR-Little Rock, UT-Arlington
The two Arkansas teams definitely have what it takes to win this league, if things break right. Arlington is probably not quite a title contender, but they will be a tough out every night. - Dregs: Texas State
They are coming along. It may only be a year or two before this team breaks through, but as of right now, they aren’t very good. - The Pick: Georgia State
I actually like Hunter better than Rubit, and the GA State team around him is much better.
BIG WEST
The league that used to be Long Beach & Co. has really progressed to the point where all 10 teams are decent and the league has become very interesting. They did lose a founding member, in Pacific, this year, though.
- Preseason Favorite: UC-Irvine
This was supposed to be a WIDE OPEN race this year, but generally it was thought that the Anteaters were probably a slightly better pick than anyone else. - Most Impressive: UC-Santa Barbara
If you haven’t heard of Alan Williams, look him up. He is probably the best player in college basketball that no one has ever heard of. And, his Gouchos have been fantastic this year, including a win at Cal. - Most Disappointing: UC-Davis
Last year was supposed to catapult this Davis team into perennial contention, but they seem to have taken a surprising step backwards this year. - “My” Favorite: Cal Poly
Cal Poly has done it right, building slowly and effectively and now they are reaping the benefits of being a real Big West contender that should stay that way year in and year out. In this wide open league, they might just be able to take that first step and win a conference title. - Potential Sleeper: Long Beach State
Hard to call Dan Monson’s squad a sleeper, as they have dominated this league for a couple of years now, but Casper Ware, T.J. Robinson, and Larry Anderson aren’t walking through that door, and not much was expected of this young team. But, don’t count out Monson and his boys, as there is talent there. - Also Relevant: Hawaii, CS-Fullerton
The Rainbows really struggle on the mainland, but they have a LOT of talent, so if they can pull out a couple road games, they might win this wide open league. The Titans are a bit of a longshot, but I wouldn’t count them out. - Dregs: UC-Davis
It’s really only Davis that is bad here, which is a credit to UC-Riverside and CS-Northridge because they have played better than expected. - The Pick: UC-Santa Barbara
I want to take Poly, but UCSB looks really, really good right now, fueled by Mr. Williams.
WAC
This is the single most lopsided conference in terms of the best team and then all the rest. But, if you take New Mexico State out of it, you have a pretty interesting race for second in a conference that is basically all brand-new.
- Preseason Favorite: New Mexico State
There is no question who the best team is in this conference. It’s reminiscent of the Memphis/ConfUSA thing, except NMSU isn’t quite as nationally relevant and the rest of the WAC is completely irrelevant. - Most Impressive: New Mexico State
They have a 7’5″, 360-pounder on their team. Yep, that’s right. - Most Disappointing: Idaho
The Vandals are the only team that could even be considered a minor disappointment, as the rest of the league has exceeded their very low expectations so far. - “My” Favorite: Seattle
In their first full-fledged D-I season, the Redhawks are decent and have a legit shot at a second-place finish here. - Potential Sleeper: UMKC
UMKC is supposed to be terrible, but they already have road wins at Idaho and Seattle to start conference play…WHAT?!?!? - Also Relevant: CS-Bakersfield, Grand Canyon, Utah Valley
They are only relevant in a potential race for second place. However, Dan Majerle’s Grand Canyon team is ineligible for postseason play as it is their transition season. - Dregs: UT-Pan American
UTPA was the worst team in the now-defunct Great West. They will have trouble competing here. - The Pick: New Mexico State
The easiest pick in the country. This team should scare a big boy come March, though.
