SSC Releases Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Tampa came in eighth as Rollins College has been tabbed as the preseason favorite to win its third straight Sunshine State Conference Men's Basketball Championship.

With all nine SSC teams graduating players who made significant contributions a year ago, there was little separation throughout the rankings. The preseason poll was conducted among the league's men's basketball coaches and sports information directors.

The Tars grabbed the top spot with 183 points and 13 first-place votes. Eckerd was picked to finish second with 164 points. The Tritons claimed the remaining five first-place nods.

Only six points separated Florida Southern and Florida Tech in the third and fourth slots. The Moccasins collected 134 points to assume the No. 3 spot, while the Panthers took No. 4 with 128 points.

Things were also tight in the next three positions in the rankings, with just 14 points separating Lynn, Barry, and Nova Southeastern. Lynn was predicted to finish fifth with 99 points. Barry was tabbed sixth with 87 points. Just two points shy of the Buccaneers, Nova Southeastern tallied 85 points to take No. 7 in the rankings. Tampa (83 points) and Saint Leo (29 points) rounded out the poll.

Head coach Richard Schmidt's squad returns just two starters from last year's 22-7 team, though the losses of twop two scorers Rashad Callaway and Anthony Griffis will see an average of 34.9 points come off the board.

Junior Callum Townsend and senior Ashton Graham are the returning starters, with the duo averaging 8.7 and 8.4 points last year.

2011-12 SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
Rank - Team, Points (1st Place Votes)
1. Rollins, 183 (13)
2. Eckerd, 164 (5)
3. Florida Southern, 134
4. Florida Tech, 128
5. Lynn, 99
6. Barry, 87
7. Nova Southeastern, 85
8. Tampa, 63
9. Saint Leo, 29