No. 7 – Jacksonville
2018-19 Record: 12-20 (5-11)
Key Returnee: Tyreese Davis
Exciting Non-Conference Matchups: Xavier, Campbell, Marquette, Clemson
The Dolphins lost their two best players from last season (JD Notae, who also transferred to Arkansas, and Jace Hogan), but their talent level keeps their floor from being in the ASUN basement.
Tyreese Davis and David Bell will be expected to step up into the roles vacated by Notae and Hogan, while redshirt-freshman Diante Wood, a transfer from Alabama, will be one to watch.
Wood was the top-ranked player in the state of Alabama coming out of high school, and he was granted four years of eligibility by the NCAA.
No. 6 – North Alabama
2018-19 Record: 10-22 (7-9)
Key Returnee: Jamari Blackmon
Exciting Non-Conference Matchups: South Carolina, Indiana, South Dakota State, Louisiana Tech, Florida State, UAB
The other ASUN newcomer got a little lost in Liberty’s shadow last season, but the Lions were more competitive in conference play than expected for a newcomer to Division I.
A big reason why was the freshman guard duo of Jamari Blackmon and Christian Agnew, both of who, return for UNA this season. So does fellow sophomore Emaunuel Littles, one of the conference’s top rebounders. The Lions make not make the leap into the top five this season, but watch out for UNA as an under the radar contender when these three are upperclassmen.