SU men’s picked fifth in preseason SWAC poll

The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its men’s basketball preseason predicted order of finish for the upcoming 2007-08 season. In a poll conducted by the conference office in which votes were received from the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, defending tournament champion Jackson State was tabbed to finish first in the conference.
Jackson State finished last season 21-14 overall and 12-6 in conference play. The Tigers – the number two seed in the post-season conference tournament – defeated Mississippi Valley State to claim the tournament title and participate in the NCAA Tournament. Jackson State fell in the first round to eventual champion Florida.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State each received 141 total points and was tied for the second-place spot. The Lions finished second in the conference after a strong season. They will be led by preseason player of the year William Byrd. Grambling State is led by all-conference guard Andre Ratliff and forward Anthony Williams. Mississippi Valley State was chosen fourth after finishing the 2006-07 campaign in first place. The 2006 tournament champion Southern was picked to finish fifth.
Rounding out the list were Alabama A&M (109 pts), Alcorn State (103 pts), Alabama State (100), Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M (58 pts).