Sun Belt Basketball Preview

The same source that projected the OVC has given the following predictions for the Sun Belt Conference:

EAST
1. Western Kentucky
2. Florida Atlantic
3. Middle Tennessee
4. South Alabama
5. Florida International
6. Troy

WEST
1. North Texas
2. Denver
3. Arkansas State
4. Louisiana-Lafayette
5. Arkansas-Little Rock
6. Louisiana-Monroe

Conference Champion: North Texas

Let me add a few observations. First, I see that Louisiana-Lafayette is now apparently trying to pass itself off as "Louisiana," while Louisiana-Monroe is now trying to go by "ULM." Let me say right now that the Heath Post isn't putting up with any such nonsense. In fact, if these schools quit trying to pass themselves off with some sort of fake name designed to fool the unwary, we will simply go back to referring to Louisiana-Lafayette as "Southwestern Louisiana" and Louisiana-Monroe as "Northeast Louisiana."

Second, the Sun Belt tournament will once again be held in Hot Springs, Arkansas -- thereby ensuring that only the most fanatical fans will actually make it to the game. I fully expect that this season -- like every season -- the champion of the Sun Belt will be decided in a low-scoring conference championship that will be played before about 5,000 people in a half-empty gym. (That's assuming that Western makes the final. If Western doesn't make the final, the title will be decided before about 1,000 people in an almost totally-empty gym). This is nonsense, and it always makes the Sun Belt look silly during its only appearance on ESPN. The Sun Belt should simply declare that the team with the best overall record gets to host the tournament -- a rule that would at least ensure a full house.

Third, I know that North Texas is the defending champion. But because of the bizarre setting of the Sun Belt tournament, it is extremely difficult to pick a conference winner. Anything can happen in such an environment. Personally, I think Western has a great chance.

Fourth, Denver? Really? When exactly did Colorado become part of the "Sun Belt"?

Fifth, Western Kentucky -- which is one of the all-time great college basketball programs -- deserves better than this motley collection of opponents. I, for one, hope that Western eventually gets into a better league, such as Conference USA.

Sixth, if you have even the slightest interest in Western Kentucky basketball, I urge you to check out HilltopperHaven.com, a truly great web page, and one that is home to perhaps the angriest message board I have ever seen. I understand that some Western fans like UK, and others really, really hate UK. The folks at Hilltopper Haven fall into the latter camp. But to be fair, they also hate everyone else, including U of L, Murray State, Middle Tennessee, the other teams in the Sun Belt, Western's former coaches (the traitors!), their current coach (the idiot!), the Western administration, folks who come to Ed Diddle Arena in UK gear, random people they see in Southern Kentucky who root for UK, Gonzaga, the local media, and the national media. As you can tell, it's a great, great message board, and I always enjoy reading it.

The Heath Post, of course, will be rooting very hard for the Toppers to get their 22d trip to the NCAAs this year. I just bought a new WKU cap, and I look forward to wearing it.