Five Questions for The Sun Belt in 2018
The Sun Belt conference has been dominated by the Ragin Cajuns over the last handful of years but for the first time in a long time that is very much in question with all the changes that took place in the offseason at Lousiana-Lafayette. So, is this the year ULL gets knocked off in the Sun Belt? That is one of many questions heading into the 2018 season.
No. 5: Can Shelly Hoerner Make Appalachian State competitive in the Sun Belt?
Coming off a 2017 season to forget, Appalachian State went 2-22 in conference, and 14-34 overall. That led to the departure of Head Coach Janice Savage. Shelly Hoerner was hired and had spent the last four seasons as Head Coach at Georgia Tech before getting let go after 2017 season. It is a tough job, in a tough conference and in a challenging location. It will be interesting to see if Hoerner can turn the program around in 2018.
No. 4: How will Peejay Brun do at UT-Arlington?
Peejay Brun takes over the Mavericks program as the new Head Coach replacing Kristie Fox who left for the top job at UNLV. Brun takes over a UT-Arlington program that is coming off its first postseason appearance since 2003 making the inaugural NISC Tournament and winning 32 games. Brun now hopes to take the Mavericks to the next level which is the NCAA Tournament. One series to keep an eye on happens May 4-6 when UT-Arlington finishes the regular season at Texas State where Brun spent nine seasons as an assistant coach.
No. 3: Is this the Year Georgia State Makes the NCAA Tournament?
In 2017, Georgia State finished 36-25 overall and 18-9 in the Sun Belt finishing 3rd in the conference behind Texas State and Louisiana. Despite the high finish, the Panthers did not make the NCAA Tournament instead making to the NISC Tournament. Since the Panthers joined the Sun Belt in 2014, they have not made the NCAA Tournament. But 2018 could be the year that Head Coach Roger Kincaid’s Panther’s breakthrough and make the tournament. The Panthers return 17 players from last season including all-conference honorees Ivie Drake, Kinsley Jennings and Megan Litumbe.
Georgia State host both Texas State and Louisiana this season at home this season which could help Georgia State give a leg up in Sun Belt Championship race.
No. 2: What Heights Can Randi Rupp Take Texas State?
With the news of James Madison’s Megan Good being out for 2018 season. One can make the argument that the best nonpower five pitcher in the country resides at Texas State with senior Randi Rupp.
Rupp is coming off a 2017 season where she posted a 1.22 ERA with 325 strikeouts. That earned her All-American honors for the first time. She led Texas State to a second place finish in the conference and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Is 2018 the season that Rupp leads Texas State to a program first conference championship and possibly make a deeper run in the NCAA Tournament as the Bobcats were one win away from a regional final appearance at College Station. Texas State could be the team that no one wants to see when the bracket comes out in May with Rupp in the circle.
No. 1: How will Louisiana look under Gerry Glasco?
It was a rough offseason for Louisiana with scandal around Head Coach Michael Lotief that ultimately led to this firing on November 1st. Gerry Glasco was hired in late November to take over the program. Three key players transfer as a result. Among those three was Player of Year candidate D.J. Sanders who transferred to Oregon, pitcher Allysa Denham, and Aleah Craighton who both went to Arizona.
Those are critical players to lose, but Coach Glasco who appeared on In The Circle on Fastpitch News podcast on December 8th said he wanted players that wanted to be here still. Fans will have to be patient as 2018 which sets up to be a transition season for the program as they enter a new era. Coach Glasco does have the talent to work with and only time will tell if the Ragin Cajun mystique will be there at the end of the season.
