NORCROSS, Ga. – The Southern States Athletic Conference released the 2012 Men’s Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll, on Wednesday, October 31st. The coaches poll consisted of the head coach from each institution ranking the SSAC overall and their division standings. Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) has been selected by the coaches as the overall SSAC champion receiving 151 points. Lee University trails SPSU by only a four point margin with 147. Loyola rounds out the top three with 124 points.
Nationally, the Southern Polytechnic claims the sixth rank overall, receiving 208 points in the 2012 NAIA DIMBB Top-25 Preseason Poll. The Hornets finished the 2011 season with a 25-7 record, 15-3 in the SSAC, and ranked 11th nationally. In the SSAC conference tournament, Southern Poly was upset by Belhaven in the quarter finals. However, the Hornets received an at-large bid to play in the NAIA National Tournament, making it to the Sweet 16 before falling to Louisiana State University-Shreveport. The Hornets are returning some key players including Cortez Irby, CJ McElrath, Ricky Fuller, and De’Andre Blackman. Southern Poly also has four NCAA Division I transfers: Martavis Kee, Florida International; Artie Marine, Kennesaw State; Chase Robinson, Kennesaw State; and Sean Williams, Cal. St. Fullerton.
Lee University was voted into a close second place in the overall standings, but claimed the top rank in the East poll by a margin of one point. Lee is only one of two SSAC teams to be voted into the 2012 NAIA DIMBB Top-25 Preseason Poll, ranked 15th nationally. The Flames finished the 2011-12 season 20-9 overall and 13-5 in the SSAC, ranked 18th nationally. In the SSAC tournament, the Flames made it to the quarterfinals before falling to Faulkner University. Lee received an at-large bid into the NAIA Tournament falling in the first round to Georgetown College. Lee’s top returners are Steve Bennett, Duran Blue, Chad Lee, and Patrick Shaughnessy.
Loyola University was voted into the third rank overall and first in the SSAC West poll. The Wolf Pack are coming off a 20-10 season with a SSAC record of 11-7 and first in the SSAC West. Loyola made it to the semifinals in the 2011 SSAC Conference Tournament, falling to Belhaven University. Top returners for the Wolf Pack are McCall Tomeny, Robert Lovaglio, and Steve Davis.
Rank School Points
1. Southern Polytechnic St. Univ. 151
2. Lee University 147
3. Loyola University New Orleans 124
4. Emmanuel College 106
5. University of Mobile 102
6. Faulkner University 94
7. William Carey University 88
8. Belhaven University 71
9. Spring Hill College 54
10. Southern Wesleyan University 41
11. Brewton-Parker 37
12. Auburn-Montgomery 36
13. Truett-McConnell 26
14. Coastal Georgia 15
East School Points
1. Lee 34
2. Southern Poly 33
3. Emmanuel 26
4. Brewton-Parker 16
5. Southern Wesleyan 16
6. Truett-McConnell 12
7. Coastal Georgia 10
West School Points
1. Loyola 35
2. William Carey 26
3. Mobile 24
4. Belhaven 22
5. Faulkner 21
6. Spring Hill 12
7. Auburn Montgomery 7