Men’s hoops picked second in preseason SAC poll
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Carson-Newman’s men’s basketball program has been picked for a second place finish by the league’s coaches in the South Atlantic Conference’s annual preseason poll.
VIDEO: Chuck Benson Interview
Lincoln Memorial was picked to repeat with nine first place votes and 128 out of 132 total points in the poll. The Railsplitters return first team all-conference guard Luquon Choice and added Mississippi State transfer Jalen Steele to the mix as well.
The Eagles collected two first place votes themselves on their way to being tabbed second in the league's preseason prognostication.
C-N was picked seventh last year before rallying late in the year to finish second in the league, tied with Queens and Newberry. In 2013-14 (Antoine Davis and Ish Sanders' senior years), the Eagles were also picked to finish second behind LMU.
"It really doesn't carry a lot of weight," head coach Chuck Benson said. "It's a nice little thing. But we'll get it out of our minds in a hurry and focus on our first game on Nov. 13."
Checking in behind Carson-Newman is Queens. The Royals return a pair of first team all-SAC players in Rob Lewis and Sean Morgan. The Eagles and Royals split their meetings last year, with the home team losing each contest. Queens received the final first place vote in the poll.
Wingate checks in in fourth. The Bulldogs will be looking to replace all-league guard Ryan Daye, but have plenty of horses returning inside with Isaiah Cureton, Herbert Harrison and Keith Griffin back.
Newberry and Catawba check in in a tie for fifth. The Wolves will be looking to replace All-SAC performers Dondray Walker and Demarkus Smith. The Indians return freshman of the year Jerrin Morrison, but lost KJ Arrington, another All-SAC performer, to injury in the offseason.
Coker, which returns four starters from a year ago, and Anderson, which will feature a new head coach in Jeff Brookman, round out the top eight.
The bottom four is comprised of Lenoir-Rhyne, Tusculum, Mars Hill and Brevard.
The Eagles open their season Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. against Southern Wesleyan. Coverage of that game will be available on the Eagle Sports Network on Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
2015 Men's Hoops Preseason Poll
1. Lincoln Memorial (9) 128
2. Carson-Newman (2) 115
3. Queens (1) 113
4. Wingate 97
5. Newberry 93
Catawba 93
7. Coker 61
8. Anderson 60
9. Lenoir-Rhyne 57
10. Tusculum 51
11. Mars Hill 30
12. Brevard 27
