NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Men’s Basketball team received one first-place vote and was picked to finish second overall in the West Division as the Sun Belt Conference released its preseason basketball polls on Thursday.
Louisiana, which earned the third-most points in voting done by the league’s head coaches, received 106 points to finish second in the West Division behind Little Rock. UT Arlington, Arkansas State, Texas State and ULM rounded out the voting in the West.
Georgia State was predicted to finish as the East Division champion with South Alabama, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Troy following.
This season, the 12 schools will be play its divisional opponents in an 18-game league schedule to minimize travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sun Belt Conference Championships will be played March 5-8 in Pensacola, Fla., with all 12 teams participating. The top two finishers from each division will receive a first-round bye.
Louisiana, which returns Preseason All-Sun Belt selections Mylik Wilson and Cedric Russell, is scheduled to officially open its 2020-21 season against Xavier of New Orleans on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at the Cajundome. The Ragin’ Cajuns will open their SBC slate on Jan. 1-2, 2021 at home against Texas State.
The Ragin' Cajuns will host Little Rock (Jan. 8-9), Arkansas State (Jan. 22-23) and UTA (Feb. 19-20) in two-game series at the Cajundome with a single-game against ULM on Feb. 11.
The Cajundome will operate at a significantly reduced capacity for the 2020-21 season (unless state COVID-19 policy changes during the season). This will allow for fans and University students to be accommodated this season. The Department of Athletics will quickly communicate any schedule adjustments or changes to attendance protocols through its social media channels and RaginCajuns.com.
Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsMBB), Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsMBB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Men’s Basketball.
2020-21 PRESEASON SUN BELT CONFERENCE POLL
West Division (first-place votes in parentheses)
Little Rock - 140 (9)
Louisiana - 106 (1)
UT Arlington - 87 (1)
Arkansas State - 49
Texas State - 47
ULM - 35
East Division
Georgia State - 131 (1)
South Alabama - 98
Coastal Carolina - 86
App State - 79
Georgia Southern - 55
Troy - 22
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