ORLANDO, Fla.— Florida Southern has been chosen as the preseason favorite to win its third consecutive Sunshine State Conference men’s basketball title. Despite a strong showing down the stretch last season, the Bucs placed seventh in this year’s preseason poll.
FSC just edged out Rollins, which ranked second in the poll with 114 points. Lynn, which collected two first-place nods, gathered 82 points to rank third in the poll. Eckerd’s 73 points placed the Tritons fourth. Tampa received 64 points to appear in the fifth slot, while Florida Tech nipped at the Spartans’ heels with 63 points.
The Bucs earned 54 points for the seventh spot, while Nova Southeastern (43) and Saint Leo (37) occupied the final two slots in the preseason rankings.
The Bucs return eight players from last year including Erick Nsangou who earned SSC Defensive Player of the Year last season. In addition to Nsangou, a number of starters from last year’s squad are back including Willie Whitfield, Zack Trapp, and Jeran Morris.
The Bucs finished with a 13-15 overall record and an 8-8 record in the SSC. Barry hosted Tampa in the first round of the SSC tournament last season, falling 61-55.
|
|
| School |
Points
|
(1st Place Votes)
|
| Florida Southern |
118
|
(7)
|
| Rollins |
114
|
(6)
|
| Lynn |
82
|
(2)
|
| Eckerd |
73
|
|
| Tampa |
64
|
|
| Florida Tech |
63
|
(3)
|
| Barry |
54
|
|
| Nova Southeastern |
43
|
|
| Saint Leo |
37
|
|
