ASHEVILLE — Appalachian State’s men’s basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the Southern Conference North Division by the league’s coaches and media.

The Mountaineers were picked to finish behind UNC Greensboro, Elon and Western Carolina by the league’s coaches. Appalachian State did not receive a first-place vote and finished with 36 points.

The Mountaineers lost four seniors and two transfers from last season’s team. Appalachian State beat College of Charleston in the first round of the SoCon Tournament, but lost to UNC Greensboro in the next round.

UNC Greensboro grabbed seven of the 10 first-place votes cast, and finished with 59 points. Elon had three first place votes and 55 points, while Western Carolina was third with two first-place votes and 52 points.

Chattanooga was picked to finish fifth and Samford sixth.

Davidson was picked to win the South Division by the coaches. The Wildcats grabbed 11 first-place votes and 65 points. College of Charleston was second with 54 points and one first-place vote.

Georgia Southern was third, followed by Wofford, Furman and The Citadel.

The league’s media put Appalachian State in a tie with Samford for fourth place with 72 points each. UNC Greensboro was picked to finish first, followed by Western Carolina and Elon. Chattanooga was picked sixth.

De’Mon Brooks was chosen to be the preseason Southern Conference Player of the Year. No Appalachian State player made the preseason all-conference list.

 

Southern Conference coaches predictions

North Division

Team   Points

1. UNC Greensboro (7)           59

2. Elon (3)                                55

3. Western Carolina                 52

4. Appalachian State                36

5. Chattanooga                         26

6. Samford                               18

 

South Division

Team   Points

1. Davidson (11)                        65

2. College of Charleston           54

3. Georgia Southern                  48

4. Wofford                                 32

5. Furman                                  27

6. The Citadel                           15

 

Coaches preseason all-conference

Player  School

Andrew Lawrence       College of Charleston

Trent Wiedman           College of Charleston

Mike Groselle             The Citadel

De’Mon Brooks          Davidson

Nik Cochran                Davidson

Jake Cohen                  Davidson

Jack Isenbarger            Elon

Eric Ferguson              Georgia Southern

Trevis Simpson           UNCG

Trey Sumler                Western Carolina

 

Southern Conference media predictions

1. UNC Greensboro (18)        164

2. Western Carolina (9)           144

3. Elon (3)                               119

T-4. Appalachian State            72

T-4. Samford                           72

6. Chattanooga                        59

 

South Division

1. Davidson (28)                      176

2. College of Charleston          134

3. Georgia Southern    (2)        120

4. Wofford                                101

5.Furman                                   62

6. The Citadel                            37