LAFAYETTE, La. ? The Sun Belt Conference had its annual Media Day Monday where it announced the Preseason Coaches Poll, Preseason All-Conference Team and the 2006-07 Sun Belt Basketball TV Schedule. USA had two players named to the preseason all-conference team as junior Demetric Bennett was named to the second team and senior Carlos Smith was named to the third team.
Along with the preseason all-conference team being announced, the Preseason Coaches Poll also was announced as South Alabama was picked second in the East Division behind Western Kentucky. USA had 60 points and two first place votes, while the Hilltoppers had 73 points and nine first place votes. Behind the Jags in the East was Middle Tennessee with 55 points and one first place vote followed by Troy (41), Florida International (23) and Florida Atlantic with 21 points and one first place vote.
In the West Division UALR was tabbed at the favorite with 73 points and three first place votes, followed by New Orleans and North Texas tied for second with 70 points. UNO had five first place votes and North Texas had four. Arkansas State and Denver were selected fourth with 51 points and Denver had one first place vote, followed by Louisiana-Lafayette (28) and Louisiana-Monroe with 21 points.
Western Kentucky’s Courtney Lee was tabbed as Preseason Player of the Year and named to the first team, as well as Rashad Jones-Jennings (UALR), Isaac Wells (Arkansas State), DaShawn Walker (Denver) and Kendrick Davis (North Texas.)
Bennett was fourth on the team in scoring as a sophomore in 2005-06 at 8.8 points per game. He also was fourth on the squad in rebounds (3.7) and fourth in total rebounds with 115. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Coors Classic after USA knocked off No. 25 Houston, 66-62. He played in all 31 games in his first year at South Alabama after transferring from Southern Methodist.
Smith played and started 30 of 31 games at point guard last year. He averaged 7.1 points per game. He had a career-high 91 assists and just 60 turnovers. Smith was one of seven Jaguars to shoot over 40 percent from the field and make 60 or more field goals.
South Alabama will be on TV four times this season highlighted by the Coors Classic in Mobile on Dec. 16 against Ole Miss. The Jaguars and the Rebels will battle at 5 p.m. in the first game of the Coors Classic on CSS. USA also will have games on CSS at Auburn (Dec. 6) and at Mississippi State (Dec. 8.) USA will host Louisiana-Monroe on ESPN Plus on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.
USA begins its title defense at the Basketball Travelers Classic at Fresno on Nov. 10 against UC-Irvine. Game time is set for 8 p.m. central time. USA opens the home portion of its schedule on Nov. 17 against Morehead State at 7:05 p.m. in the Mitchell Center.
2006-07 Preseason Sun Belt All-Conference Team
First Team
Rashad Jones-Jennings (UALR)
Isaac Wells (Arkansas State)
DaShawn Walker (Denver)
Kendrick Davis (North Texas)
Courtney Lee (Western Kentucky)
Second Team
Antonio Porch (Denver)
Adam Vogelsberg (Middle Tennessee)
Calvin Watson (North Texas)
Cedric Jackson (Troy)
Demetric Bennett (South Alabama)
Third Team
Lekeythan Malone (UALR)
Yual Banks (Arkansas State)
Alex Galindo (Florida International)
Johwen Villegas (Florida International)
Carlos Smith (South Alabama)
