CHARLOTTE, N.C. ? Chattanooga and Davidson are the favorites to capture the Southern Conference’s divisional men’s basketball titles in 2008-09, according to a vote by the leagues head coaches. Davidson junior Stephen Curry was also named the SoCon Preseason Player of the Year in the balloting.
The Mocs, who return three starters from last year’s 18-13 (13-7 SoCon) team, were tabbed as the preseason favorites in the North Division. They earned 66 points, the maximum allowed in the coaches balloting. Elon was selected second in the division with 49 points, followed by Appalachian State (48). UNC Greensboro (33) was chosen fourth, edging out Western Carolina (28) and newcomer Samford University (23), which begins its first season in Southern Conference play in 2008-09.
The Davidson Wildcats garnered 11 first-place votes and were named the preseason favorite in the South Division. Davidson returns three starters from last year’s team that advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in Detroit, site of the 2009 Final Four. College of Charleston was picked to finish second in the South Division, garnering 56 points. Georgia Southern earned 43 points to finish third in preseason balloting, followed by Wofford (32), Furman (29) and The Citadel (22).
Junior Stephen Curry of Davidson was named the league’s Preseason Player of the Year. Davidson, Chattanooga and College of Charleston placed two student-athletes on the preseason all-conference team. Nicchaeus Doaks and Stephen McDowell represent the Mocs, while Andrew Goudelock and Jermaine Johnson were selected from College of Charleston. Curry was joined by teammate Andrew Lovedale. Other members of the preseason team included Brandon Giles (Western Carolina), Brett James (Elon), Donald Sims (Appalachian State) and Cameron Wells (The Citadel). Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players or schools as part of the voting.
The season opens Monday, November 10 when Georgia Southern faces Houston as part of the 2K Sports Classic in Durham, N.C. The 2009 SoCon Basketball Tournament will take place March 6-9 at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn.
SoCon Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
North Division
Team (1st Place Votes) Total
1. Chattanooga (11) 66
2. Elon 50
3. Appalachian State (1) 49
4. UNC Greensboro 30
5. Western Carolina 28
6. Samford 23
Team (1st Place Votes) Total
South Division
1. Davidson (11) 66
2. College of Charleston (1) 56
3. Georgia Southern 43
4. Wofford 32
5. Furman 29
6. The Citadel 22
2008-09 Preseason All-Conference Team
Stephen Curry, Davidson
Nicchaeus Doaks, Chattanooga
Brandon Giles, Western Carolina
Andrew Goudelock, College of Charleston
Brett James, Elon
Jermaine Johnson, College of Charleston
Andrew Lovedale, Davidson
Stephen McDowell, Chattanooga
Donald Sims, Appalachian State
Cameron Wells, The Citadel
2008-09 Preseason Player of the Year
Stephen Curry, Davidson