Elfrid Payton in 2014. R.J. Hunter in 2015. Shawn Long in 2016? The 6-foot-11 Louisiana Lafayette center could become the third consecutive player from the Sun Belt selected in the NBA draft's first round. Long will need a big year to climb his way up draft boards, but he's not an unknown entering the season. He's made Louisiana Lafayette a must-see for scouts.
The talent in the Sun Belt probably isn't deep enough to see multiple teams receive NCAA bids, but its champion should again be good enough to avoid a NCAA tournament First Four matchup.