Braves Tabbed Second In PBC Preseason Coaches' Poll

AUGUSTA, Ga. – A set of new expectations continued for the UNCP men's basketball team when the Braves were picked to finish second in the Peach Belt Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll – the highest preseason vote in school history – when the poll was announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon. 

Georgia Southwestern took the top spot in the poll after collecting 10 of 12 possible first-place votes. The 'Canes were picked to finish first for the first time in school history, and enter the season with two members of the Preseason All-Conference squad in Phillip Brown and Colin Slotter. The 2010-11 regular season and tournament champion Augusta State Jaguars were picked to finish tied for third with Clayton State and NCAA Tournament participant Montevallo was picked to finish fifth.

The Braves earned their highest preseason pick after securing one first place, five second place, two third place, three fifth place and one sixth place vote in the poll. The poll is voted on by all 13 of the PBC's head men's basketball coaches.

UNCP finished tied for third in the PBC's East Division last season during league play, and advanced to the PBC Tournament Championship Game for the first time in school history. UNCP also made it's first appearance in the NCAA Division II National Tournament last season. 

The squad returns nine letterwinners including five seniors and five juniors to a squad that lost seven of 12 games by four points or less. 

UNCP will host Athletes In Action on Thursday at the Jones Center in Pembroke at 7 p.m. before officially opening its 2011-12 home and regular season schedules against
St. Andrews on Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. 

The full PBC press release can be found HERE.