The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns men’s and women’s basketball programs earned a lot of accolades on Thursday afternoon, headlined by Theo Akwuba and Ty Doucet being named men’s and women’s basketball Sun Belt Conference Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.
Russell, the league’s third-leading scorer, was a first-team selection while Akwuba, the league leader in blocks, was a second-team pick and the SBC Defensive Player of the Year.
Russell finished among the SBC leaders in scoring, 3-point field goal percentage and 3-pointers made per game. The senior guard was 14th nationally in total made 3-pointers (76), 15th in 3-point FG attempts (190), 21st in 3-pointers per game (2.92), 22nd in total field goal attempts (363) and 36th in 3-point FG percentage (40.0)
Akwuba led the league in blocked shots while being ranked among the league leaders in rebounds, offensive rebounds, field goal percentage and double-doubles (10). The University of Portland transfer finished third on the team in scoring and ranked seventh nationally in total blocks with 68.
Doucet became the first Ragin’ Cajun to earn First Team honors since Jaylyn Gordon did so following the 2016-17 season. The Ville Platte native ranked third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.7 points per contest while leading the team in total rebounds (154) and blocks (33). On the year, she nearly averaged a double-double in league play, boasting 10.8 points and 8.7 boards per contest.
Brandi Williams, who was tabbed as a Preseason Third Team All-Conference selection, earned a spot on the Second Team following her junior season, while Goodwin earned a spot on the Third Team.
Williams led the team in scoring in league play and the tournament, averaging 12.0 points per game, the 13th-best average in the league, while scoring in double figures 10 times in that stretch, including a 20-point outing at Texas State (Jan. 1) and a career-high 32-point performance at ULM (Feb. 13).
Goodwin ranked second on the team in league play by averaging 11.2 points per contest, while grabbing 102 rebounds, good for an average of 6.0 boards per game. She boasted a 79.8 free throw percentage, the eighth-best in the league, and was effective from long range, shooting at a 34.4 percent clip (22-for-64).
Below are the Sun Belt Men’s and Women’s Basketball Postseason Honors
2020-21 SUN BELT MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON HONORS
All-Sun Belt First Team
DeVante Jones, Coastal Carolina
Michael Flowers, South Alabama
Mason Harrell, Texas State
Cedric Russell, Louisiana
Norchad Omier, Arkansas State
All-Sun Belt Second Team
Shahada Wells, UTA
Marquis Eaton, Arkansas State
Corey Allen, Georgia State
Justin Forrest, App State
Theo Akwuba, Louisiana
All-Sun Belt Third Team
Caleb Asberry, Texas State
Ruot Monyyong, Little Rock
Michael Almonacy, App State
Adrian Delph, App State
Eliel Nsoseme, Georgia State
Men’s Basketball Player of the Year: DeVante Jones, Coastal Carolina
Men’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year: Theo Akwuba, Louisiana
Men’s Basketball Freshman of the Year: Norchad Omier, Arkansas State
Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Year: Michael Flowers, South Alabama
Joe Gottfried Coach of the Year: Terrence Johnson, Texas State
2020-21 SUN BELT WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON HONORS
All-Sun Belt First Team
Alexus Dye, Troy
Pre Stanley, App State
Ty’Reona Doucet, Louisiana
Antoinette Lewis, South Alabama
Da’Nasia Hood, Texas State
All-Sun Belt Second Team
Felmas Koranga, Troy
Brandi Williams, Louisiana
Teal Battle, Little Rock
Lainey Gosnell, Appalachian State
Jasmine Robinson, Troy
All-Sun Belt Third Team
Aja Blount, Coastal Carolina
Skyler Goodwin, Louisiana
Taylor Hosendove, Georgia State
Tiyah Johnson, Troy
Mayra Caicedo, Little Rock
Women’s Basketball Player of the Year Alexus Dye, Troy
Defensive Player of the Year Ty’Reona Doucet, Louisiana
Freshman of the Year Terren Ward, Georgia Southern
Newcomer of the Year Felmas Koranga, Troy
Coach of the Year Chanda Rigby, Troy
