William Carey (Miss.) received nine of 12 first-place votes to claim the top spot in the 2018-19 SSAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll. Dalton State (Ga.), Faulkner (Ala.) and Bethel (Tenn.) each claimed one first-place vote.
The 2nd-6th slots in the poll were separated by only nine points.
The Crusaders claimed the 2017-18 regular season and tournament titles. Of the 20 First- and Second-Team All-Conference selections last season, 13 were seniors. Bethel's Isaac Edmondson, Mobile's Tony-Toni Wright and Middle Georgia State's Darrell White are the lone returning First-Team selections. William Carey returns only three players from last year's squad, led by Branden Sheppard, who started 25 games last season and averaged 7.7 points and 7.2 rebounds, while leading with 41 blocks
William Carey Head Coach Steve Knight said, "We are quite honored to have been selected as the SSAC preseason favorite in men's basketball. This is a tough league, with many excellent programs, and our past success surely figured into the voting scenario. Although a relatively new squad this year, I believe our team will be able to compete at a high level once we gain some experience during the season. It should be another great season of exciting SSAC basketball action"
2018-19 SSAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. William Carey - 136 (9)
2. Dalton State - 111 (1)
3. Faulkner - 108 (1)
4. Stillman – 105
5. Bethel - 104 (1)
6. Loyola – 102
7. Mobile – 71
8. Florida College – 55
9. Middle Georgia – 53
10. Martin Methodist – 50
11. Blue Mountain – 27
12. Brewton-Parker – 14