ATLANTA — The Georgia State men’s basketball team was selected the unanimous favorite to win the Sun Belt Championship once again this year by the league’s head coaches.
The Panthers are coming off a second NCAA tournament appearance in the last four years. The league’s 12 head coaches voted in the Preseason Sun Belt All-Conference Team and Poll.
Junior D’Marcus Simonds, the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year, was selected the Preseason Player of the Year and to the All-Sun Belt Preseason First Team. Senior Devin Mitchell, who earned All-Sun Belt Third Team honors last year, was selected to the All-Sun Belt Preseason Second Team.
Georgia State went 24-11 last year, winning the Sun Belt Conference tournament after finishing in second place during the regular season. The Panthers advanced to the postseason for the fourth time in the last five years, while also winning 20 or more games for the fourth time in that same span.
“Although we don’t put too much weight into preseason polls, it is nice to see others have so much respect for us,” head coach Ron Hunter said. “Now we need to earn that respect on the court.