Arkansas State Picked Second in Sun Belt Preseason Poll; Chandler Jackson Earns All-Conference Honors
The Arkansas State men’s basketball team will enter the 2025-26 season with high expectations after being picked second in the Sun Belt Conference preseason coaches’ poll, just behind James Madison.
The Red Wolves, who return key contributors and continue building momentum under head coach Ryan Pannone, received three first-place votes and 154 total points, placing them narrowly ahead of South Alabama (152) and Troy (148).
James Madison, which shared last year’s regular-season title, was tabbed as the preseason favorite with one first-place vote and 175 points. Eight teams received at least one first-place vote, signaling a wide-open Sun Belt race that should make for one of the league’s most competitive seasons in recent memory.
Leading the way for A-State is junior guard Chandler Jackson, who was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team. The Memphis native emerged as one of the league’s top backcourt talents last season, combining steady playmaking with strong defense and leadership.
Old Dominion’s Robert Davis Jr., the league’s top returning scorer, was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year after averaging 15.6 points per game and leading the nation in three-point attempts.
The Sun Belt also announced its Preseason All-Conference Teams, recognizing standout players across 11 programs. Davis was joined on the First Team by James Madison’s Bradley Douglas, Troy’s Thomas Dowd, Georgia Southern’s Tyren Moore, and Marshall’s Jalen Speer.
The 2025-26 Sun Belt season tips off Monday, November 3 with the MAC-SBC Challenge. Conference play begins in December, with each team scheduled for 18 league games.
The 2026 Sun Belt Men’s Basketball Championship returns to the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida, from March 3-9.
With preseason recognition, veteran leadership, and a talented roster, Arkansas State looks poised to make a serious run at the Sun Belt title this season.
2025 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Awards
Preseason Player of the Year:
Robert Davis, Jr., Old Dominion [Jr. | G | Detroit, Mich.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team
Robert Davis, Jr., Old Dominion [Jr. | G | Detroit, Mich.]
Bradley Douglas, James Madison [Gr. | G | Eustis, Fla.]
Thomas Dowd, Troy [Jr. | F | Dothan, Ala.]
Tyren Moore, Georgia Southern [Gr. | G | Louisville, Ky.]
Jalen Speer, Marshall [Gr. | G | Gainesville, Fla.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team
Eren Banks, App State [Jr. | G | Eatonton, Ga.]
Mark Drone, Texas State [Sr. | G | Jackson, Miss.]
Jelani Hamilton, Georgia State [R-So. | G | Marietta, Ga.]
Chandler Jackson, Arkansas State [Jr. | G | Memphis, Tenn.]
RaSheed Jones, Coastal Carolina [Jr. | G | Marion, Ind.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team
Jordan Battle, Old Dominion [Sr. | G | Norfolk, Va.]
John Broom, South Alabama [R-So. | G | Jacksonville, Ala.]
Kaden Gumbs, Texas State [Jr. | G | San Marcos, Texas]
Matt Van Komen, Marshall [Gr. | C | Lehi, Utah]
Nakavieon White, Georgia Southern [R-Sr. | F | Odessa, Texas]
2025 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. James Madison (1) – 175
2. Arkansas State (3) – 154
3. South Alabama (4) – 152
4. Troy (1) – 148
5. Old Dominion (2) – 145
6. Marshall (1) – 128
7. App State (1) – 123
8. Texas State – 106
9. Louisiana (1) – 95
10. Georgia Southern – 66
11. Georgia State – 59
12. Southern Miss – 57
13. Coastal Carolina – 43
14. ULM – 19
Parentheses indicate first-place votes