A semi-surprising team has laid claim to the SBC

I remember it like it was November: the Dukes of James Madison taking then #4 Michigan State to overtime before dispatching the Spartans 79-76. Michigan State never recovered (they sit around the bottom third of the Big 10 standings). The Dukes rode the wave straight into the AP Top 25, where they would spend weeks dunking on the likes of Howard, Coppin State and Keystone. In fact, the Dukes would not meet a real challenge until the team met Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, where the Golden Eagles handed JMU a surprise 81-71 defeat.

Naturally, one conference loss is always enough for AP voters to sentence SBC teams to the purgatory outside the Top 25, and the Dukes were no exception. However, the loss seemed to embolden one team with a penchant for shot blocks and a passion for stifling defense – Appalachian State, who has now trumped the Dukes both in Boone and in Harrisonburg.

The Mountaineers didn’t seem particularly special in the out-of-conference. Sure, Dustin Kerns led Appalachian State to a stunning victory over Auburn, but let’s face it, any foe can be dusted in Boone, where the air is thinner than Tennessee’s code of ethics. But did anybody see Justin Abson dishing out 2.7 blocks per game? Or that Tre’Von Spillers would become a Board Monster beneath the rim – in addition to a dangerous shot blocker and scorer?

The Mountaineers are 8-1 heading in the second half of conference play, with the team’s only stain a 66-62 loss at Troy – another team that has mildly surprised. The schedule leans to an undefeated run heading into the Sun Belt Tournament.

Tremendous Transfer: Dyondre Dominguez, Forward, Arkansas State

Arkansas State entered the season acquiring a number of higher profile transfer athletes like Darrian Ford (Arkansas) and Freddy Hicks Jr. (Tarleton), but it’s 6’9″ junior forward Dyondre Dominguez from UMASS that has provided the most firepower to the Red Wolves this season. Dominguez leads A-State in rebounds (8.1) and points (13.1) while providing wisdom on the floor and huddle.

Unstoppable: Justin Abson, Forward, Appalachian State

Isaiah Gaiter of South Alabama and Vasean Allette of Old Dominion are both averaging 20 points per game in conference play, but the Sun Belt’s most unstoppable force is the 6’9″ sophomore Justin Abson, delivering 2.7 blocks per game on an Appalachian State team currently ranked first in the nation for blocked shots. For his part, Abson ranks fourth in the nation for blocks making the rim unaccessible to foes. For confirmation, just ask the Dukes, who saw EIGHT shots blocked by Abson their last go-around.

Jekyll and Hyde: Georgia Southern

Led by first year head coach Charlie Henry, the Eagles opened the season a perfect 0-12 in out of conference play – only to acquire Henry’s first victory as a head coach against Southern Miss. Sporting a 5-4 conference record, Georgia Southern has enjoyed hot shooting from senior guard Tyren Moore and some nice hustle beneath the rim from 6’9″ freshman Avante Parker. Don’t expect the good times to get easier: the Eagles’ schedule gets tougher with JMU, Appalachian State, Marshall and Troy among those waiting to close out the season.

Shockingly Meh: Texas State

Old Dominion – historically an upper-tier mid-major program – might deserve this spot, but we’ve slotted the puzzling Bobcats here. Since winning the regular-season conference title in 2021-2022, the Bobcats have endured a tragic slide. However, we expected head coach Terrence Johnson to get it together sooner than later. However, Texas State currently stand 1-8 in conference play (7-14 overall) and are only scoring more points than ULM in conference play.

Sun Belt Heater: Tre’Von Spillers, Forward, Appalachian State

You could place a pair of Dukes in this position – Terrance Edwards and TJ Bickerstaff are worthy inclusions. One could acknowledge the sizzling shooting of Louisiana’s Kobe Julian or the bustling-boarding of Georgia State’s Jay’Den Turner. But in our estimation, nobody has been more dangerous on the hardwood than 6’7″ junior forward Tre’Von Spillers, who leads the Mountaineers in scoring (14) and rebounding (8) while delivering nearly two blocked shots per game.

Back 9 Team To Watch: Louisiana

With nine conference games left, it does appear that Appalachian State has a clear runway to the SBC Tournament’s top seed. Troy and James Madison will threaten, and teams like Southern Miss and Marshall could become dangerous should they become more consistent. But the Ragin Cajuns are the team entering the Sun Belt Back Nine with the most mo. Winners of five straight, the inside presence of Hosana Kitenge and Joe Charles, coupled by Kobe Julian’s hot hand, makes the Cajuns a dangerous foe. Don’t try to beat Louisiana by avoiding Kitenge and Charles and launching threes – the Cajuns enjoy the fourth best perimeter defense in the nation.

PHOTO CREDIT: me