The Arkansas State Red Wolves men’s basketball team competes in the Sun Belt Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. The Red Wolves are a member of the Sun Belt Conference along with eleven other teams that make up the East Division and seven teams from the West Division. Arkansas State has been in the Sun Belt Conference since the 2007–08 season.
History of the Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a collegiate athletic conference that has been in existence since 1976. It is composed of 11 schools from the East Division and seven schools from the West Division. The schools in the East Division are Appalachian State University, Coastal Carolina University, Georgia State University, Troy University, University of Louisiana at Monroe, University of South Alabama, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at San Antonio, and University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The schools in the West Division are Georgia Southern University, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Southern Mississippi, and University of Texas at El Paso.
The conference was first known as the Big West Conference and was founded in 1976. In 2001, the conference changed its name to the Sun Belt Conference. The conference has produced several NCAA tournament teams, including Arkansas State.
Arkansas State Basketball’s Move to the Sun Belt
Arkansas State University joined the Sun Belt Conference in the 2007–08 season. The move was made to help the university better compete athletically and also to increase its visibility in the region. Arkansas State was previously a member of the Big West Conference from 1976 to 2001, before the conference was renamed the Sun Belt Conference.
The Red Wolves have been very successful since their move to the Sun Belt Conference. The team has won three regular season championships, two tournament championships, and made two NCAA tournament appearances. The Red Wolves have also posted a winning record in seven out of the last eight seasons.
Arkansas State Basketball’s Success in the Sun Belt
Since joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2007–08, the Arkansas State Red Wolves have been very successful. The team has made two NCAA tournament appearances, won three regular season championships, and two tournament championships. The Red Wolves have also had a winning record in seven out of the last eight seasons.
In the 2015–16 season, the Red Wolves went 22–11 overall and 14–4 in conference play. The team won the Sun Belt regular season championship and the Sun Belt tournament championship, and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second time in school history.
In the 2016–17 season, the Red Wolves went 22–11 overall and 13–5 in conference play. The team won the Sun Belt regular season championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament, but lost in the first round.
In the 2017–18 season, the Red Wolves went 20–12 overall and 13–5 in conference play. The team won the Sun Belt regular season championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament, but lost in the first round.
Conclusion
The Arkansas State Red Wolves men’s basketball team has been a member of the Sun Belt Conference since 2007–08. The team has been very successful since then, winning three regular season championships and two tournament championships, and making two NCAA tournament appearances. The Red Wolves have also had a winning record in seven out of the last eight seasons. With the continued success of the Red Wolves, it is clear that Arkansas State is firmly entrenched in the Sun Belt Conference.