Patriot Men tabbed ninth in pre-season PBC MBB poll
USC Aiken has been selected as the favorite to win the 2008-09 Peach Belt Conference men's basketball title in a poll of the league's head coaches released this week, while Francis marion University was picked to finish ninth.
USCA received seven of a possible 10 first-place votes to edge out second-place Augusta State University by three points. Clayton State University was third, followed by North Georgia College & State University, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Georgia College & State University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Columbus State University, Francis Marion, Lander University, and UNC Pembroke.
Third-year FMU head coach Gary Edwards welcomes back seven lettermen, including all five starters, from last year's 12-16 squad that tied for eighth in the PBC.
Leading the returnees is senior forward Sam Smith (10.6 ppg), last year's team MVP, and senior sharp-shooting guard Houston Power (11.1 ppg). Also returning is sophomore swing player Simel Boyd (5.9 ppg), who was named the 2008 PBC Freshman of the Year.
Seven newcomers are listed on the roster, including two post players (6-9 Stanley Jones and 6-7 Matt French) who are transferring from NCAA Division I schools. Other top newcomers include Kendrick Robinson, a two-year All-Region point guard at Spartanburg Methodist College; 6-3 guard Anthony Wallen, a transfer from Northwest Shoals Community College; and freshman 6-3 swing player Brynjar Bjornsson, who is a past member of the Icelandic National Basketball team.
The PBC regular season begins Nov. 15 and continues through the 2009 PBC Tournament, March 3-8 in Aiken, S.C.
2008-09 Peach Belt Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
No. Team (1st-place votes) Total
1. USC Aiken (7) 97
2. Augusta State (4) 94
3. Clayton State 70
4. North Georgia 69
5. Armstrong Atlantic St. 66
6. GCSU 55
t7. Georgia Southwestern St. 42
t7. Columbus State 42
9. Francis Marion 34
10. Lander 26
11. UNC Pembroke 10
