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CONCORD, N.C. – The Coastal Carolina University men’s basketball team has been picked to finish eighth in the Big South Conference in 2008-2009, the League announced today in its annual Basketball Media Day in Concord, N.C. The poll was voted on by the Big South’s head coaches and a media panel.
The Chanticleers earned 107 points in the poll. Coastal Carolina had one second-place vote and 12 votes in the top-five of the conference. The parity of the league in 2008-2009 was shown in the poll, as Winthrop, last year’s Big South Tournament champion, was picked to win the conference with 202 votes and nine-first place votes, but the Eagles also received one 10th-place vote. Seven teams earned a first-place vote in the poll.
Winthrop was followed by Radford (189 points, seven first-place votes), Gardner-Webb (188 points, three first-place votes) and Liberty (148 points, two first-place votes) in the top four. High Point was picked fifth with 132 points and one first-place vote, while Charleston Southern was sixth with 128 points and one first-place vote.
VMI was picked just ahead of the Chanticleers with 110 points and one first-place votes. Coastal Carolina was next, followed by 2007 Big South co-regular season champion UNC Asheville (83 points) and Big South newcomer Presbyterian (33 points).
The 2008-2009 Big South Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference team also was announced at Media Day. Liberty’s Anthony Smith was picked as the Big South Preseason Player of the Year, earning 74 points and 10 first-place votes. He was joined on the team by VMI’s Chavis Holmes (61 points, five first-place votes), Charleston Southern’s Omar Carter (43 points, one first-place vote), Gardner-Webb’s Grayson Flittner (42 points, one first-place vote) and Radford’s Joey Lynch-Flohr (41 points, one first-place vote).
Coastal Carolina will open the 2008-2009 season Saturday, Nov. 15 against Coker College. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
2008-09 Men's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
Anthony Smith, Liberty (10 first-place votes, 74 total points) - Preseason Player of the Year
Chavis Holmes, VMI (5 first-place votes, 61 points)
Omar Carter, Charleston Southern (1 first-place vote, 43 points)
Grayson Flittner, Gardner-Webb (4 first-place votes, 42 points)
Joey Lynch-Flohr, Radford (1 first-place vote, 41 points)
2008-09 Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll (combined points)
Rk Team (first-place votes) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Points
1. Winthrop (9) 90 54 24 21 12 -- -- -- -- 1 202
2. Radford (7) 70 36 40 21 12 5 -- 3 2 -- 189
3. Gardner-Webb (3) 30 72 40 21 12 5 8 -- -- -- 188
4. Liberty (2) 20 18 32 21 18 15 16 6 2 -- 148
5. High Point (1) 10 9 16 35 6 35 8 12 -- 1 132
6. Charleston Southern (1) 10 -- 16 21 36 15 20 6 4 -- 128
7. VMI (1) 10 9 16 14 18 15 8 6 12 2 110
8. Coastal Carolina -- 9 8 7 24 25 16 9 8 1 107
9. UNC Asheville -- 9 -- 7 6 5 16 27 12 1 83
10. Presbyterian -- -- -- -- -- -- 4 3 8 18 33