Atlantic Sun Releases Preseason Women’s Basketball Poll

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MACON, Ga. – The Atlantic Sun conference office released the preseason women’s basketball coaches and media polls Wednesday, and Mercer was picked to finish ninth and eighth, respectively, among its league opponents.

Florida Gulf Coach was tabbed as the overwhelming favorite to capture the regular season title, capturing the top spot in both polls.  Due to FGCU’s ineligibility for postseason play, both the coaches and media predicted East Tennessee State to be crowned tournament champion.

“For me there are a lot of unknowns and personally I didn’t know where to pick us,” head coach Susie Gardner said.  “The preseason poll is what it is . . . it’s something fun to talk about.”

FGCU collected 104 total points in the coaches’ poll and 234 points in the media poll.  Points are awarded in descending order, with a first-place vote being worth 11 points and an 11th-place vote being worth one point.

In the coaches’ poll, both East Tennessee State and USC Upstate gathered a pair of first-place picks, but the Lady Bucs edged the Spartans for the second-place spot by one point.  North Florida was slotted fourth while (84) Belmont and Campbell tied for fifth with 71 points apiece.

Jacksonville (53), Kennesaw State (51), Mercer (39), Stetson (32) and Lipscomb (20) rounded out the 11-team field.

In the media poll, ETSU and USC Upstate tied for second place with 221 points while Belmont grabbed fourth place honors with 155 points.  UNF(137) beat out Campbell (133)for fifth place while Kennesaw State snuck in the seventh spot (125).  Mercer (102), Jacksonville (98), Stetson (54) and Lipscomb (38) comprised the remainder of the poll.

 Mercer returns two starters from last year’s team that finished 14-16 (11-9 A-Sun).  The Bears tip off action this season hosting Georgia College and State in an exhibition at 5 p.m.