The Sun Belt coaches expect defending champion Florida International to repeat as league champions with Denver placing second. Third was North Texas followed by South Alabama, Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State, Arkansas-Little Rock, Western Kentucky and Louisiana-Lafayette. FIU received six first place votes and 71 points in the balloting, while Denver received one first place vote and had 69 points. The Lady Eagles pulled in two first place votes and had 65 points. FIU returns nine starters off last yearÆs 15-6 team that finished the regular season in a tie for first in the Sun Belt standings and then swept to the tournament title. The Golden Panthers will be led by the return of SBC Player of the Year Michelle OÆBrien, a senior forward, and Newcomer of the Year, Sasja Odenyo, also a senior forward. Denver, which finished fourth in the SBC regular season a year ago, returns all 11 starters from last yearÆs team that went 11-6-3. North Texas returns six starters off last yearÆs team that went 15-5-2 and lost to Florida International in the championship game of the Sun Belt Tournament. The core of that Lady Eagles team is intact. They return of sophomore forward Marilyn Marin, who finished among the NCAAÆs top five scorers with a league-leading 24 goals last season. 2001 Sun Belt Preseason Poll 1. Florida International (6) 71 Pts. 2. Denver (1) 69 3. North Texas (2) 65 4. South Alabama 58 5. Middle Tennessee 43 6. Arkansas State 34 7. Arkansas-Little Rock 25 7. Western Kentucky 25 9. Louisiana-Lafayette 15