Benedict, Kentucky State Tabbed as SIAC Preseason Hoops Favorites

(AL.com photo)

(Courtesy of the SIAC)

ATLANTA — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference released its 2014 Preseason Men’s Basketball Team and Predicted Order of Finish with Markeith Madison (Stillman), Kendall Jackson (Claflin), Benedict College and Kentucky State highlighting the accolades.

The team and the preseason rankings were announced on Tuesday (Oct. 7) during the SIAC Basketball Media Day at the Holiday Inn Birmingham (Ala.) Airport. The preseason team and predicted order of finish were voted on by the SIAC head coaches.

Madison was voted preseason player of the year on offense while Jackson was awarded with defensive honors. Both fill the 15-man roster that lands 12 players voted to this year’s preseason team.

Madison averaged 16.7 points per game helping Stillman to a 16-13 record. He shot 30 percent from long range connecting a team high 171 field goals in cluding 52 three-pointers. He closed out the year with a team best, 7.5 rebounds per game. He led the team in scoring in 11 games scoring more than 20 points in 10 contests. He recorded a season high 30 points against Miles while posting four double-doubles. He led the Tigers in scoring and rebounds in six contests last year.

Jackson led Claflin in blocked shots with 25 to complement 21 steals. He averaged 10.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game shooting 41 percent from behind the arch including 49 percent overall.

Benedict led the East Division with 29 points and two-first place votes. Clark Atlanta filled the runner-up slot with 25 points (two first-place votes) edging Morehouse at third with 24 points. Albany State (22 – two first-place votes), Paine (17 – one first place votes), Fort Valley State (17) and Claflin (13) capped the standings.

Kentucky State landed atop the West Division notching all available first-place votes for 36 points. Tuskegee (20) and LeMoyne-Owen (20) share second with Stillman (19) following at third. Miles (18), Spring Hill (18), and Lane (16) filled the final three spots.

PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Markeith Madison (Stillman) PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kendall Jackson (Claflin)

PRESEASON TEAM MEN Jerry Hampton (LeMoyne-Owen)
* Kendric Taylor (Paine)
* Markeith Madison (Stillman)
* Ulysses Thomas III (Kentucky State)
Larry Bullock (Albany State)
Austin Anderson (Morehouse)
Kendall Jackson (Claflin)
Quentin Henderson (Kentucky State)
Bryant Hill (Lane)
Andrew Crawford (Benedict)
Alfonso Davis (Paine)
Ralph Wilson (Fort Valley State)
Maurice Crenshaw (Stillman)
Marcel Hawkins (LeMoyne-Owen)
Brennan Reynard (Benedict)

*Denotes players who were automatically selected to preseason team as a result of earning 2013-14 postseason honors.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH EAST DIVISION 1. Benedict – 29 (2) 2. Clark Atlanta – 25 (2) 3. Morehouse – 24 4. Albany State – 22 (2) T5. Paine – 17 (1) T6. Fort Valley State – 17 7. Claflin – 13
WEST DIVISION Team (First Place Votes) 1. Kentucky State – 36 (6) T2. LeMoyne-Owen – 20 T2. Tuskegee – 20 4. Stillman – 19 T5.Miles – 18 T5. Spring Hill – 18 7. Lane – 16