SPARTANBURG, S.C. –   The Southern Conference media has selected Chattanooga as the preseason favorite for the upcoming 2015-16 women’s basketball season. The Mocs, who were also picked first in the coaches poll, garnered 19 of 20 first-place votes and totaled 159 points.

Led by head coach Jim Foster, the Mocs are coming off a season that saw them run the table in conference play en route to their third straight Southern Conference title. 

ETSU collected 122 points to check in second in the poll. The Bucs, who are coming off a 21-12 (11-3) mark in their inaugural season in the SoCon, received one first-place vote from the media. This season will be head coach Brittney Ezell’s third year at the helm in Johnson City, Tenn.

Samford beat out Furman for the third spot, earning 113 points to the Paladins’ 103 points. Last year, Samford posted a 15-15 (8-6) record under head coach Mike Morris. 

Mercer is slotted fifth in the poll with 101 points, followed by Western Carolina (49 points) at sixth. Wofford and UNCG round out the poll with 40 and 33 points, respectively.

All eight SoCon teams will kick off the regular season on Friday, Nov. 13. The 2016 Southern Conference Championship presented by General Shale will be held March 3-6 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, N.C.

SoCon Women’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish – Media Poll

Team (First-Place Votes)          Total

1. Chattanooga (19)                   159

2. ETSU (1)                               122

3. Samford                               113

4. Furman                                 103

5. Mercer                                  101

6. Western Carolina                   49

7. Wofford                                40

8. UNCG                                   33

-www.SoConSports.com-