Sun Belt Conference coaches predicted the WKU women’s basketball team to finish first in the Sun Belt’s East Division, it was announced Tuesday.

Middle Tennessee was second and Florida International third. Arkasas-Little Rock was predicted to win the West Division.

Seniors Arnika Brown and Amy McNear were also named to the All-Sun Belt first team. Arkansas-Little Rock’s Chastity Reed was nominated the Preseason Player of the Year.

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Preseason Sun Belt Conference Women’s Basketball Poll

West Division

1. UALR — 72 (12)

2. Denver — 55

3. Arkansas State — 45

4. North Texas — 39

5. Louisiana-Monroe — 21

6. Louisiana-Lafayette — 20

East Division

1. WKU — 71 (11)

2. Middle Tennessee — 56 (1)

T-3. FIU — 43

T-3. South Alabama — 43

5. Florida Atlantic — 22

6. Troy — 17

As voted on by the Sun Belt’s 12 Head Coaches

First Place Votes in Parenthesis

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Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Women’s Basketball Team

As voted on by the Sun Belt’s 12 Head Coaches

First Team

Chastity Reed (UALR, Sr., F)

Kaetlyn Murdoch (Denver, Jr., F)

Elisa Carey (FIU, Sr., F)

Arnika Brown (WKU, Sr., F)

Amy McNear (WKU, Sr., G)

Second Team

Asriel Rofle (UALR, Sr., G)

Shanika Butler (UALR, Sr., G)

Shay Scott (Arkansas State, Sr., F)

Emily Queen (Middle Tennessee, Sr., F)

Jasmine Godbolt (North Texas, So., F)

Third Team

Britteni Rice (Denver, Sr., G)

Lyrell Barfield (FAU, Sr., G)

Mercedes Johnson (Louisiana-Lafayette, Jr., F)

Anne Marie Lanning (Middle Tennessee, Sr., G)

Donette McNair (Troy, Sr., F)

Preseason Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year

Chastity Reed (UALR, Sr., F)