SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference media tabbed Wofford and Appalachian State as the favorites to capture the conference's divisional men's basketball titles in 2010-11. The Terriers and Mountaineers were also selected favorites by the league's head coaches last week in preseason balloting.
Appalachian State earned 22 first-place votes and earned a total of 170 points. Head coach Jason Capel takes the reigns in Boone for the Mountaineers who return 12 lettermen from a team that won the North Division and finished 24-13 last season. Appalachian State was followed by Western Carolina (146) which received eight first-place votes. Chattanooga (126) was tabbed third while Elon and Samford tied for fourth place with 64 points. UNCG was slotted in sixth place with 60 points.
Wofford earned 24 of 30 first-place votes and was the clear choice to win the South Division with 174 points. The Terriers return four starters and six of their top seven scorers from last season's squad which won both the South Division and the conference tournament. College of Charleston came in second (156) behind six first-place votes. Davidson (118) was slotted third, edging out The Citadel (74) which is under the direction of first-year head coach Chuck Driesell. Furman (70) and Georgia Southern (38) rounded out the South Division.
The regular season opens Wednesday, November 10 when College of Charleston visits Maryland. Ten league teams hit the hardwood November 12 with all conference teams in action by Saturday, November 13. The Southern Conference Tournament will be held March 4-7, 2010 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
SoCon Men's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish - Media Poll
North Division
Team (1st Place Votes) Total
1. Appalachian State (22) 170
2. Western Carolina (8) 146
3. Chattanooga 126
4. Elon 64
Samford 64
6. UNCG 60
South Division
Team (1st Place Votes) Total
1. Wofford (24) 174
2. College of Charleston (6) 156
3. Davidson 118
4. The Citadel 74
5. Furman 70
6. Georgia Southern 38