SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Sun Belt Conference announced the coaches preseason poll and all-conference teams on Monday. Graduate forward Tyrel Morgan was named to the third team while Texas State was picked to finish seventh in the poll.
 
Morgan is coming off an injury-shortened 2023-24 campaign that saw him play in just the first two games. In that time, he averaged 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The Atlanta native also made 11-of-15 shots form the field and was 4-for-5 on three-pointers.
 
For his TXST career, Morgan has played in 60 games and started 33 in a Bobcat uniform. He has put up 6.9 ppg with a 48.2% shooting mark and grabbing 4.8 rpg.
 
Texas State received 89 points in the preseason coaches poll to finish just ahead of both Georgia Southern and Old Dominion, which tied for eighth with 85 points.
 
Claiming the top spot in the poll was Arkansas State with 193 points and 12 first-place votes. Following the Red Wolves was James Madison (170 pts) and Troy (155 pts), respectively, as each program received a first-place selection. Rounding out the top half was Louisiana (4th; 144 pts), Southern Miss (5th; 133 pts) and App State (6th; 122 pts).
 
The Bobcats are coming off a 17-win season that saw them make their second straight run to the semifinals of the Sun Belt Tournament as the 11th seed. Seven players are back from last year in Coleton Benson, Daylan Dawson, Drue Drinnon, Kaden Gumbs, Joshua O'Garro, Christina Turner and Morgan.
 
Among the seven newcomers are Division I transfers Franck Emmou (UMBC) and Tylan Pope (Nevada/Tulane) while Bessanty Saragba (UIC) also brings a year of D1 experience. Other newcomers are juniors Nate Deer, Mark Drone, Austin Green and Jaylen Jones.
 
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