Spartans picked fourth in North Division in SoCon preseason poll
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNCG men's basketball team has been picked to finish fourth in the Southern Conference North Division in 2011-12 according to a vote by league head coaches, the conference office announced on Wednesday.
Chattanooga and Davidson are the favorites to capture the Southern Conference's divisional men's basketball titles in 2011-12. Appalachian State senior guard Omar Carter was also named the SoCon Preseason Player of the Year as part of the preseason all-conference team. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or student-athletes as part of the balloting.
"We have a number of players who have the opportunity to have all-conference seasons," said UNCG head coach Mike Dement. "If those guys can play to that potential all year then I believe it will enhance our chances of competing at a higher level than we've been picked."
Dement begins the sixth season of his second tenure at UNCG and his 10th season overall with the Spartans looking to build upon last season's strong finish. After opening the year with a 0-15 mark, a team consisting of 11 first-and-second year players closed by winning seven of their final 16 games. The Spartans also won their opening game at the Southern Conference tournament before falling in the quarterfinals.
The Spartans return four starters and several key reserves from last season's squad, including 2011 Southern Conference All-Freshman team honoree Trevis Simpson. In 27 games, including nine starts, the 6-4 swingman averaged 11.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Other returning starters include 6-10 senior center Aloysius Henry (9.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and junior point guard Kyle Randall (9.4 ppg, 103 assists). Forward Aaron Brackett (7.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and guard Korey Van Dussen (8.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg) also return.
In all, eight players who averaged 14 minutes per game last season return for '11-12.
Davidson returns 11 lettermen and four starters for 2011-12. The Wildcats posted an overall record of 18-15 (10-8 SoCon) and advanced to the second round of the College Basketball Invitational a season ago. Davidson earned ten first-place votes and finished the balloting with 65 points. College of Charleston earned the final two first-place votes in the South Division and finished with 56 points. Georgia Southern was tabbed third (42) ahead of Furman (34). Wofford (32) was selected fifth with The Citadel (17) rounding out the South Division.
After finishing tied for first in the North Division last year, the Chattanooga Mocs were picked first for the 2011-12 season. The Mocs boast four starters off last year's team that posted a 12-6 mark in league play. UTC captured nine first-place votes and led the North Division with 64 total points. Appalachian State (51) earned two first-place votes and finished third while Western Carolina (44) grabbed the final first-place vote in the North Division. UNCG (42) was slotted fourth, while Elon (39) and Samford (16) rounded out the North Division.
In addition to the preseason polls, the coaches selected an all-conference team. Carter is the league's leading returning scorer from last season (16.3 ppg) and was a first team all-conference selection. Davidson, College of Charleston and Chattanooga each placed a pair on the all-conference team. Juniors Jake Cohen and JP Kuhlman garnered preseason plaudits for Davidson, while College of Charleston was represented by Trent Wiedeman and Antwaine Wiggins. Seniors Keegan Bell and Omar Wattad from Chattanooga were named preseason All-SoCon. They were joined by Willie Powers III (Georgia Southern), Drew Spradlin (Elon) and Trey Sumler (Western Carolina).
The Spartans play their one-and-only exhibition game when they host Greensboro College, 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3 in Fleming Gym. UNCG opens the regular season 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11 at Tennessee.
SoCon Men's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
North Division
Team (1st Place Votes) Total
1. Chattanooga (9) 64
2. Appalachian State (2) 51
3. Western Carolina (1) 44
4. UNCG 42
5. Elon 29
6. Samford 16
South Division
Team (1st Place Votes) Total
1. Davidson (10) 65
2. College of Charleston (2) 56
3. Georgia Southern 42
4. Furman 34
5. Wofford 32
6. The Citadel 17
2011-12 Preseason All-Conference Team
Keegan Bell, Chattanooga
Omar Carter, Appalachian State
Jake Cohen, Davidson
JP Kuhlman, Davidson
Willie Powers III, Georgia Southern
Drew Spradlin, Elon
Trey Sumler, Western Carolina
Omar Wattad, Chattanooga
Trent Wiedeman, College of Charleston
Antwaine Wiggins, College of Charleston
2011-12 Preseason Player of the Year
Omar Carter, Appalachian State
--UNCG--