AMERICUS, Ga. -- The Georgia Southwestern men's basketball program is ranked fifth of 12 teams in the Peach Belt Conference preseason coaches poll.
UNC Pembroke, who received nine first place votes, led the way and is atop standings with 118 points followed by Clayton State (109), who received three first place votes. Augusta (100), USC Aiken (89) and GSW (73) are the top five teams in the conference. Columbus State (59) holds sixth place, Francis Marion (57) holds seventh place while North Georgia and Georgia College are tied for eighth place with 49 points. Flagler (45), Lander (28) and Young Harris (16) rounds out the voting.
The Hurricanes return four of their top five scorers including All-Conference selection R.J. Sessions, who led the team and was 10th in the league in scoring averaging 15.3 points per game last season. GSW returns Andre Statam, who was fourth on the team in scoring and second in rebounding along with senior Quenten Taylor, who was second in scoring and led the team in assists.
GSW will play Mississippi State in an exhibition match Sunday, Nov. 4, but will begin their regular season competing in the Barton College 45 Second Classic, Nov. 9-10 in Wilson, N.C. The Hurricanes will have their first home game Wed., Nov. 14 as they will host Fort Valley State for a 7 p.m. start.
The 2018-19 PBC Tournament will be held March 6, 9-10 with the final four playing at the site of the highest remaining men's seed.