Sun Belt Basketball: Who are the stars for every team in 2017-18?

Texas Arlington Mavericks – Kevin Hervey

The question for Kevin Hervey isn’t  whether he’ll be a star, but will he repeat as the Conference Player of the Year. The first team All-Conference stud gave everyone a preview of this last year when he averaged 18 points and almost ten rebounds a game. Unfortunately, a knee injury cut his season short halfway through, but, otherwise, he was a legit contender to win the award last season.

In his full season, his scoring and rebounding averages dipped a tiny bit, but he was much more efficient shooting from the field. Even though Kevin took twice as many three pointers, his percentage went from .32 to .34.

What makes the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year so special is that he shined the brightest against the best competition. At the upset of regional foe Texas, Hervey put up an 18 and 10 double-double. In the game in which the Mavs handed the then No. 12 Saint Mary’s Gaels their first loss, he outplayed Jock Landale with 15 and seven respectively.

Last year, Hervey led the team all the way to the regular season championship and, with most coming back, it’s hard to pick anyone else to win the conference. This year both Hervey and Texas Arlington will be the hunted and will take everyone’s shot. How they deal with this new mental challenge will be the question, because the talent certainly won’t be.