No. 1 – Liberty
2018-19 Record: 29-7 (14-2)
Key Returnee: Almost Everyone
Exciting Non-Conference Matchups: Radford, Vanderbilt, LSU, Grand Canyon, Navy
Who else would it be? For the second season in a row, the ASUN has an overwhelming favorite with an absurd amount of returning talent entering the season. And unlike last season’s presumptive winner, Lipscomb, Liberty enters hot off an NCAA Tournament upset.
The Flames bring back six of their eight rotation players, with Lovell Cabil being the only regular starter to depart. Scottie James and Caleb Homesley replace Lipscomb’s Garrison Mathews and Rob Marberry as the dominant big-wing duo in the league. Elijah Cuffee, Darius McGhee, Georgie Pacheo-Ortiz, and Myo Baxter-Bell make up an experienced and talented supporting cast.
Liberty also has a couple of chances at big non-conference wins, but the non-ASUN schedule isn’t too brutal. These guys are gunning for at-large bid territory this season. And there’s not much in the way to stop them, outside of shooting themselves in the foot.
I don’t think UNF is quite capable of playing the formidable spoiler to the favorite role, as Liberty did to Lipscomb last season, and Lipscomb did to FGCU two seasons ago.
Barring a surprise, the Flames will be dancing.