NEW ORLEANS - The 2025-26 Sun Belt women’s basketball conference slate tips off with seven midweek games, before a six-game slate on Saturday, December 20. All games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
THE REIGNING REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS
James Madison (8-4) is the reigning regular season Sun Belt Champions and enter conference play with high hopes. Having gone 18-0 on the regular season last year, the Dukes currently hold a 20-game win streak in regular season league play. The Dukes played the toughest non-conference schedule in the league facing off against two ranked teams in No. 2 Texas and No. 19 Notre Dame as well as three other A4 programs, compiling a 3-2 record, the most A4 wins in the league. The Dukes head to Coastal Carolina (6-5) to open league play, the two teams last met in the conference tournament with James Madison winning 89-65.
 
TROJANS AT THE TOP
Troy sits at the top of the league standings after starting the season 9-1 with their only loss coming at Kansas State. The Trojans best win of the non-conference slate came in a dominant 100-82 victory over Missouri. Leading the league in rebounds with a 48.1 average, the Trojans are led once again by the leagues double-double and rebound leader Zay Dyer, who has recorded five double-doubles in the teams 10 games. Old Dominion (7-3) looks to spoil Troy’s momentum in their conference opening matchup. Both teams are on six game win streaks, looking to start conference play on a high note.
 
MARSHALL’S MOMENTUM
After winning four games in four days in the conference tournament last season, Marshall starts the 2025-26 season with a 9-3 record, winning their last four. The Herd returned three consistent contributors in Peyton Ilderton, Meredith Maier and Blessing King, but are also seeing an impact from VCU transfer Timaya Lewis-Eutsey who leads the team in scoring at 14.9 ppg and is shooting at a .512 clip. The Herd has also relied on freshman Olivia Olson who has started in all 12 games and is averaging 10.8 ppg and 4.2 rpg. The Herd faces App State (6-3) to kick off league play.
 
GAME OF THE WEEK
The last two regular season champions James Madison and Marshall meet on Saturday in the first Women’s Basketball game of the week of the season. The Dukes have bested the Herd in their last two regular season meetings taking place in the 2024-25 season. The last time Marshall took down the Dukes was during the 2024 conference tournament with a 95-92 overtime loss.
 
IN THE NET
James Madison has the highest net in the league at 57 and are joined by three other teams in the top 100 with Troy at 75, Marshall at 93 and App State at 98.
 
IMPACT PLAYERS – Sun Belt Statistical Leaders
Points Per Game: Peyton McDaniel, JMU, 19.4
Rebounds Per Game: Zay Dyer, TROY, 12.2
Assists Per Game: Zakiya Stephenson, JMU, 4.8
Blocks Per Game: Riley Stack, ODU, 3.2
Steals Per Game: Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, MAR, 3.6
Field Goal Percentage: Cordasia Harris, USA, .538
3-Point Field Goal Percentage: Emani Jenkins. Troy, .455

 WHERE TO WATCH

Date	Time	Matchup	ESPN+
Weds., Dec. 17	10:00 a.m.	Troy at Old Dominion	ESPN+
Weds., Dec. 17	10:00 a.m.	App State at Marshall	ESPN+
Weds., Dec. 17	5:00 p.m.	James Madison at Coastal Carolina	ESPN+
Weds., Dec. 17	5:00 p.m.	Louisiana at Texas State	ESPN+
Weds., Dec. 17	7:00 p.m.	ULM at Arkansas State	ESPN+
Thursday, Dec. 18	4:00 p.m.	Georgia State at Georgia Southern	ESPN+
Thursday, Dec. 18	5:00 p.m.	South Alabama at Southern Miss	ESPN+
Saturday, Dec. 20	12:00 p.m.	James Madison at Marshall	ESPN+
Saturday, Dec. 20	1:00 p.m.	App State at Georgia Southern	ESPN+
Saturday, Dec. 20	1:00 p.m.	ULM at Texas State	ESPN+
Saturday, Dec. 20	2:00 p.m.	Georgia State at Coastal Carolina	ESPN+
Saturday, Dec. 20	2:30 p.m.	Louisiana at Southern Miss	ESPN+
Saturday, Dec. 20	3:30 p.m.	South Alabama at Arkansas State	ESPN+