BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — There are two things you can count on each October in Texas: The State Fair and Texas Southern being picked to win the SWAC hoops title.
Tigers MBB selected to finish first in SWAC Preseason Poll https://t.co/ega34Qd9k1
– TSU Athletics (@TXSOTigers) October 11, 2017
Texas Southern has been picked to repeat as the Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball champions in a preseason poll of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. The announcement was made by the SWAC during its annual media teleconference on Wednesday, October 11.
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The Tigers finished 2016-17 with an overall record of 23-12, a record with five more victories than the previous season, to go along with a 16-2 conference mark, a record they matched from the previous year. TxSU wrapped up last season as the season’s conference tournament champions for the third time in the last four seasons after defeating Alcorn State 53-50.
Southern, a conference tournament semifinalist from a year ago, was selected to finish in second place, followed by Jackson State in third. Alcorn State, who reached the conference finals last season, was predicted to finish fourth with Prairie View A&M slotted in fifth. Rounding out the poll includes: Alabama State, Grambling State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Mississippi Valley State and Alabama A&M.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Texas Southern (171)
2. Southern (131)
3. Jackson State (124)
4. Alcorn State (117)
5. Prairie View A&M (99)
6. Alabama State (98)
7. Grambling State (75)
8. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (64)
9. Mississippi Valley State (60)
10. Alabama A&M (51)
The Texas Southern women are projected to repeat as SWAC hoops champs as well.
Lady Tigers claim first place selection in SWAC Preseason Poll https://t.co/BOknSb268g
– TSU Athletics (@TXSOTigers) October 11, 2017
MEN’S 2017-18 PRESEASON AWARD WINNERS (Selected by SWAC Head Basketball Coaches and SIDs)
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR Reginal Johnson, Alcorn State
PRESEASON CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Treshawn Bolden, Jackson State
Yanel Reed, Alcorn State
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FIRST TEAM
Guard — Demontrae Jefferson, Texas Southern
Guard — Paris Collins, Jackson State
Forward — Reginal Johnson, Alcorn State
Forward — Kevin Scott, Texas Southern
Center — Jared Sam, Southern
SECOND TEAM
Guard — A.J. Mosby, Alcorn State
Guard — Chris Thomas, Southern
Forward —Rodney Simeon, Alabama State
Forward —Lamont Walker, Texas Southern
Center — Treshawn Bolden, Jackson State
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