Cajuns’ Hoops Picked to Win Sun Belt

Ever since Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns forward Shawn Long announced back in April that he would return for his senior season, expectations have risen considerably for Bob Marlin's club in the 2015-16 season.

Today the Sun Belt Conference announced the target is on Louisiana's back.

The Cajuns have been named the favorites to win the Sun Belt regular season championship according to a poll of the league's coaches.

And, it's no surprise Long has been named the pre-season Player of the Year in the league

The Cajuns return all five starters and their top eight scorers from a team that went 22-14, 13-7 in conference play and advanced to the quarterfinals of the CollegeInsider Tournament.  The Cajuns received nine of the eleven first place votes. Defending champion Georgia State was second in the poll and received the other two first place votes.

Long, who averaged 16.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, is closing in on 2000 points for his career and will break the all time school record for rebounds early this season.  He was joined on the first team by Arkansas State's Anthony Livingston, South Alabama's Ken WIlliams, Emani Grant of Texas State and Wesley Person of Troy.

Cajuns Devonte Walker and Jay Wright were preseason third team selections.

UL Monroe was picked to finish third, followed by Arkansas State, Little Rock, Appalachian State and South Alabama.  UT Arlington and Texas State tied for the eighth spot, with Georgia Southern and Troy rounding out the poll.

The Cajuns will play an exhibition game on November 9th against Mississippi College and entertain Louisiana College in the regular season opener on Friday, November 13th.

The results of the poll and entire preseason all conference team can be found by clicking here.