 |
 Jake Robinson (42) is one of five seniors returning for the Catamount men's basketball team that was picked to win the SoCon North Division by both the media and head coaches. |
 |
Nov. 10, 2009
Cullowhee, N.C. - For the second time in as many weeks, Western Carolina's men's basketball team has been tagged as the favorite in the Southern Conference's North Division in 2009-10, this time by the voting members of the media as released today by the conference office.
WCU was named the preseason favorite by the 12 league head coaches in a preseason prognostication released back on Nov. 5. According to available records, it is the first time in school history that a Catamount men's basketball team has been favored to win a division entering the season.
Western Carolina earned 16 first-place votes and earned a total of 129 points to headline the media's North Division selections. The Catamounts, which won a share of last season's divisional crown, were followed by Appalachian State (109) which received five first-place votes. Samford (88) was tabbed third, narrowly edging Chattanooga (84), which picked up two first-place votes. Elon (51) was slotted fifth while UNC Greensboro (43) earned the final first-place vote in the division.
In the South Division, coaches' favorite, the College of Charleston, picked up 21 of 24 first-place votes and was the clear choice with 140 points. Davidson, last year's divisional champ, came in second with 107 points. Wofford was tabbed third with 87 points, while The Citadel was close behind with 84 points, including two first-place votes. Georgia Southern (49) was picked fifth with Furman (35) slotted in sixth place.
Western Carolina opens its 2009-10 season this Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:00 pm in the Ramsey Center by hosting St. Catharine (Ky.) College. The Catamounts will then play in four games as a part of the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic, first hitting the road to face preseason No. 3 Texas in Austin on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 9:00 pm ET / 8:00 pm CT in a game that will be televised on ESPN-U.
WCU will host three teams - Arkansas-Monticello, Binghamton and Duquesne - in the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic sub-regional held in Cullowhee at the Ramsey Center on Nov. 23-25.
|
|
 |
North Division
Team (1st Place Votes) - Total
1. Western Carolina (16) - 129
2. Appalachian State (5) - 109
3. Samford - 88
4. Chattanooga (2) - 84
5. Elon - 51
6. UNC Greensboro (1) - 43
Team (1st Place Votes) - Total
South Division
1. Coll. of Charleston (21) - 140
2. Davidson (1) - 107
3. Wofford - 87
4. The Citadel (2) - 84
5. Georgia Southern - 49
6. Furman - 35
