Sun Belt Tournament 2026

[Bigdaddyg1]

It’s been said but worth mentioning again. For schools at our level who simply can’t or won’t spend ridiculous money to buy (rent really) a new roster every year in hopes of MAYBE sneaking into the tournament as a 15 seed the apathy and don’t give a damn will only get worse. It was widely believed that the team we had a few years ago who stormed thru the Belt could had conceivably been a legit top 40 (at least or maybe better) team the next year had all of the eligible returned. In the old days that would have happened unless by chance one guy went pro or was dismissed from the team. Now we are asked to help pay some salaries for rentals and to get genuinely excited every year. All I’m really saying is that it’s going to get tougher to maintain that same level of enthusiasm.

[app97]

A common denominator for the teams playing in the championship…. They are two of the teams that App beat easily during the regular season. Momentum is crucial during March. Hopefully we can find it at the right time in the near future.

[BambooRdApp]

Maybe this question needs to have its own thread but I shudder to think what irrational comments would follow. I have to ask in all seriousness to the “fire the coach” crowd.

How on earth do you expect any good coach at our level to maintain success? I keep reading that we need to find and spend more money. I see lots of decent players coming and going at App and at our level in general. Those who spout the money thing have no clue what that magic number is. There will always be a finite number of legit D1 talent every season. Losing is disappointing but it’s got to be a minor miracle to turn a brand new roster into a 20 game winner- every year! What on earth do some expect our coach to do?

UNCW seems to find a way to do it

I would assume they put much more towards basketball than we do.

Of course. No football.

Both schools play D1 basketball at mid-major level. Stating football is the reason funding is an excuse to me... if that's the explanation, we should pack up all sports and just play football or expect to be average or below average in all sports except football. Both schools made an elective decision to field men's basketball teams and are competing for the same players in the free agent market.

[RaleighApp27609]

Can anyone help me understand how S. Alabama got an NIT invite already? What is the likelihood App gets an invite to the NIT?

[hapapp]

Maybe this question needs to have its own thread but I shudder to think what irrational comments would follow. I have to ask in all seriousness to the “fire the coach” crowd.

How on earth do you expect any good coach at our level to maintain success? I keep reading that we need to find and spend more money. I see lots of decent players coming and going at App and at our level in general. Those who spout the money thing have no clue what that magic number is. There will always be a finite number of legit D1 talent every season. Losing is disappointing but it’s got to be a minor miracle to turn a brand new roster into a 20 game winner- every year! What on earth do some expect our coach to do?

UNCW seems to find a way to do it

I would assume they put much more towards basketball than we do.

Of course. No football.

Both schools play D1 basketball at mid-major level. Stating football is the reason funding is an excuse to me... if that's the explanation, we should pack up all sports and just play football or expect to be average or below average in all sports except football. Both schools made an elective decision to field men's basketball teams and are competing for the same players in the free agent market.

According one set of figures that I saw from about 8 years ago, UNCW generated about $2.9m in basketball revenue to our $1.7m. I have no idea what those figures are today. Our overall athletic budget is more than double theirs but, again, they don't have football to both generate revenue and expenses. We have approximately 100 more athletes than they do according to the most recent Knight Report.

[CoachRob]

Boone is one of the best college football towns in America. Most Alumni want to take the 5-6 weekend trips up the mountains to spend a fall Saturday centered around 1 of the top football environments.

Boone is also one of the worst college basketball towns in America. Most Alumni struggle to take more than 1 of the 12-13 midweek/weekend trips up the mountain in the winter temps/weather to watch a mid-major basketball game between two teams destined for the CBI tournament.

If the product is to grow, got to figure out how to get more students into the arena and create an environment that you find at your more prominent basketball programs.
Just my 2 cents

[BambooRdApp]

UNCW seems to find a way to do it

I would assume they put much more towards basketball than we do.

Of course. No football.

Both schools play D1 basketball at mid-major level. Stating football is the reason funding is an excuse to me... if that's the explanation, we should pack up all sports and just play football or expect to be average or below average in all sports except football. Both schools made an elective decision to field men's basketball teams and are competing for the same players in the free agent market.

According one set of figures that I saw from about 8 years ago, UNCW generated about $2.9m in basketball revenue to our $1.7m. I have no idea what those figures are today. Our overall athletic budget is more than double theirs but, again, they don't have football to both generate revenue and expenses. We have approximately 100 more athletes than they do according to the most recent Knight Report.

I fully understand that. That is also the only revenue generating sport UNCW has. Yes, some fans show up for baseball, soccer, tennis, etc. However, mens basketball is also helping to fund other sports, including athletic dept general positions, like I assume football is for us.
At the end of the day, both schools have elected to field basketball teams at D1 level. We are all , for most part, on a level playing field. It just comes down to commitment. UNCW chooses basketball.and App chooses football.

[JTApps1]

Boone is one of the best college football towns in America. Most Alumni want to take the 5-6 weekend trips up the mountains to spend a fall Saturday centered around 1 of the top football environments.

Boone is also one of the worst college basketball towns in America. Most Alumni struggle to take more than 1 of the 12-13 midweek/weekend trips up the mountain in the winter temps/weather to watch a mid-major basketball game between two teams destined for the CBI tournament.

If the product is to grow, got to figure out how to get more students into the arena and create an environment that you find at your more prominent basketball programs.
Just my 2 cents

Students and locals.

[BambooRdApp]

Boone is one of the best college football towns in America. Most Alumni want to take the 5-6 weekend trips up the mountains to spend a fall Saturday centered around 1 of the top football environments.

Boone is also one of the worst college basketball towns in America. Most Alumni struggle to take more than 1 of the 12-13 midweek/weekend trips up the mountain in the winter temps/weather to watch a mid-major basketball game between two teams destined for the CBI tournament.

If the product is to grow, got to figure out how to get more students into the arena and create an environment that you find at your more prominent basketball programs.
Just my 2 cents

Students and locals.

As an alum of both App. St and UNCW, UNCWs atmosphere for most conference games are like our home football games inside the arena/stadium. It is a great atmosphere for basketball. I am sure the smaller arena helps as less than 7k seating I believe. It would be great to have that atmosphere at Holmes during bball season. A benefit for Wilmington is the larger city. As such, some locals do attend. However, you also have quite a few alumni that never leave the area after graduation.

There is no comparison on pregame as really not tailgating during bball season...even in Wilmington

[Coltrane]

Can anyone help me understand how S. Alabama got an NIT invite already? What is the likelihood App gets an invite to the NIT?

South Alabama has NIT invite rescinded: 'Unacceptable'

South Alabama was given priority to this year's NIT after having their 2025 invite rescinded when UC Riverside changed their mind and decided to accept a spot in the NIT that had already been reallocated to USA.

As for App, if Alonzo's injury is as bad as it appeared to be, I don't anticipate any urgency to join a post season tournament this year (especially since our only option will likely be a pay to play tournament like the CBI).

[T-Dog]

Can anyone help me understand how S. Alabama got an NIT invite already? What is the likelihood App gets an invite to the NIT?

Last year, South Alabama was one of the co-champs and No. 1 seed. They lost in the Sun Belt semis and had the record and criteria to make the NIT. Except the NIT forgot them, somehow, and the Jags turned down other tournaments waiting for the NIT, which never came.

So the NIT and SoAl agreed to a deal that if this year, Jags got a certain number of wins (didn't say how many, but they met the threshold) and didn't get the NCAA auto-bid, they would be automatically invited to the NIT.

[RaleighApp27609]

Can anyone help me understand how S. Alabama got an NIT invite already? What is the likelihood App gets an invite to the NIT?

Last year, South Alabama was one of the co-champs and No. 1 seed. They lost in the Sun Belt semis and had the record and criteria to make the NIT. Except the NIT forgot them, somehow, and the Jags turned down other tournaments waiting for the NIT, which never came.

So the NIT and SoAl agreed to a deal that if this year, Jags got a certain number of wins (didn't say how many, but they met the threshold) and didn't get the NCAA auto-bid, they would be automatically invited to the NIT.

Thanks. Didn't know that.

[hapapp]

Looking like GS is running out of steam. Trail Troy by 14.

[BambooRdApp]

Please do not choke Men of Troy!!

[B30020]

Honestly asking, why do we care? I'm watching the SoCon tourney...

[BambooRdApp]

Tell me that you do not know our rival school without directly telling me you do not know our rival school
I hate Stink!! Therefore I care!!

[appvette]

Not to mention it looks better for the Sun Belt to have a higher ranked team in the NCAA tournament (Troy)

[311neers]

Boone is one of the best college football towns in America. Most Alumni want to take the 5-6 weekend trips up the mountains to spend a fall Saturday centered around 1 of the top football environments.

Boone is also one of the worst college basketball towns in America. Most Alumni struggle to take more than 1 of the 12-13 midweek/weekend trips up the mountain in the winter temps/weather to watch a mid-major basketball game between two teams destined for the CBI tournament.

If the product is to grow, got to figure out how to get more students into the arena and create an environment that you find at your more prominent basketball programs.
Just my 2 cents

Back the game up to 7ish. Do something to get fraternities and other sports programs to attend like we used to do. Think it was called Athletes supporting Athletes. Host elementary kids school night…etc. Have to do more to draw to the masses.
Quit playing horrid teams like Carolina U. (Although I’ve heard no one worth a dang will come to Boone)

[ASUFan4863]

We absolutely should care. Troy winning confirms five things:
1. Georgia Southern lost
2. The best team from the conference won the conference tournament
3. Georgia southern lost
4. Despite lengthy discussion, the tournament format worked as designed, which was to ultimately send a top team to the tournament.
5. Georgia southern lost

[Stonewall]

We were 3-0 against them.