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

Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cagins – SR Frank Bartley IV

Sometimes players just need a change of scenery to succeed. This is particularly the case with Frank Bartley, who averaged ten minutes a game in his first two years at Brigham Young University. Bartley opted to transfer closer to his native home of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Ragin’ Cajuns over the years have been one of the higher scoring teams in the conference and that offensive magic rubbed off on Bartley, taking his scoring average from 2.48 to 15.27. He finished ninth in the Sun Belt in scoring and second on the team to departing graduate Jay Wright. The team itself averaged 82 points per game, good for No. 19 in the country.

The problem for this team wasn’t s scoring, but defense. Despite being the best offensive team, they were the worst defensive team as well, finishing dead last in both scoring defense and field goal defense.

Bartley will be the leading returning scorer on a team that lost a few key pieces, including both Wright and Bryce Washington who averaged over 11 rebounds last year. Ultimately it won’t be Frank’s offensive leadership, but rather how he leads on the defensive end that will dictate their season next year.