The Sun Belt Conference tournament is back. And so is the format known as “The Gauntlet.” Four teams tied atop the Sun Belt standings this season with matching 13-5 records in conference play — South Alabama,

Troy’s 2025 football schedule includes four straight non-conference games to begin the season and a Saturday “Battle for the Belt.” The Sun Belt Conference announced its full schedule on Friday. The Trojans will host South Alabama on Oct. 4, the first time the “Belt” rivalry game has been on Saturday since 2020.

South Alabama’s 2025 football schedule includes two midweek Sun Belt Conference games, but neither of them is the “Battle for the Belt” vs. Troy. The Jaguars and Trojans will face off Oct. 4 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy,

There are four top seeds are the clear favorites to win this tournament. Despite being the No. 4 seed due to a four-way tiebreaker atop the conference, Arkansas State is the betting favorite (+200 at FanDuel), followed by Southern Alabama (+270), James Madison (+350) and Troy (+400).

South Alabama head coach Richie Riley instructs South Alabama forward Barry Dunning Jr. against Central Michigan in the first half of a NCAA basketball game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell/AL.com) Mike Kittrell/AL.com

Troy Trojans (17-11, 11-4 Sun Belt) at South Alabama Jaguars (6-20, 2-13 Sun Belt) Mobile, Alabama; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Zay Dyer and Troy visit Daniela Gonzalez and South Alabama in Sun Belt play Saturday. The Jaguars are 4-6 in home games.

The 2025 championships mark the fifth consecutive year that Pensacola has welcomed the Sun Belt Conference and the championship games.

Texas State earns 102-93 OT victory over James Madison, deny Dukes outright Sun Belt title

The stage is set for the 2025 Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball ... as four teams—South Alabama, James Madison, Troy, and Arkansas State—wrapped up conference play with identical 13-5 ...