Bryan Hodgson’s Arkansas State squad looks to build off last year’s second-half momentum in pursuit of a Sun Belt title.
Last season was a banner year for the Sun Belt. James Madison and Appalachian State garnered national headlines with nonconference victories over Michigan State and Auburn, respectively, and the Dukes picked up an NCAA Tournament victory over Wisconsin.
The 2024-25 season, however, represents something of a reset for the conference. Four programs are welcoming new coaches, and a handful of squads saw mass exoduses. As for last year’s bannermen, JMU bid farewell to now-Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington, while App was one of several teams that saw a core group leave via graduation or power conference opportunities in the portal.
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These changing times create new opportunities for Sun Belt programs to take their shot at a conference title. Atop of that list, Arkansas State head coach Bryan Hodgson has his Red Wolves poised for a trophy hunt, and Troy brings most of its production back from yet another 20-win team under Scott Cross.
1. Arkansas State Red Wolves
The Bryan Hodgson era did not get off to the best start last season, yet the Red Wolves found their rhythm over the final two months. They won 12 of their final 16 games — including a run to the Sun Belt Tournament title game. Arkansas State now returns five of its top seven scorers, headlined by leading scorer Taryn Todd (12.8 ppg, 2.4 apg) and dynamic scorer Derrian Ford (10.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg).
The league’s best offense should reach even greater heights in 2024-25 thanks to Louisiana transfer Kobe Julien (17.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg with the Ragin’ Cajuns). When healthy, Julien has proven to be one of the Sun Belt’s very best players throughout his career, as shown during his first full campaign last season.
The emergence of Izaiyah Nelson (9.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.0 bpg) as an elite rim protector bolstered an otherwise lackluster defense, and a late offensive surge indicates a breakout may be coming. Taken together, no one else in the Sun Belt returns as much proven production. Then throw in Nelson’s progression, Julien’s arrival and another year under Hodgson, and the Red Wolves are the clear favorites to win the league.
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