Written by: Danny Talbert
Today (Nov. 8), the Collegiate Conference of the South published the preseason polls for men's and women's basketball. The polls were voted on by the coaches in the CCS conference. First place votes earned the most points, second earned one less and so on. The only restriction was that the coaches were prevented from voting for their own team for first place.
Women's Basketball
The Panthers were voted second out of the nine teams in the CCS women's division. The team received a total of 54 points and earned one first place vote. LC is coming off a 20-7 record which tied the Panthers all time best record from 2010-11. Berea College was placed at the top of the poll with 62 total points and six first place votes. Berea is coming off of a fifth consecutive regular season conference championship and CCS conference tournament title. Piedmont University rounded out the top three with a total of 51 points and one first place vote. The Lions made it to the CCS conference tournament last season but dropped the game 71-63 to Berea.
2023-24 CCS Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Berea 62 points (6)
2. LaGrange 54 points (1)
3. Piedmont 51 points (1)
4. Belhaven 44 points (1)
5. Maryville 39 points
6. Huntingdon 28 points
7. Covenant 23 points
8. Agnes Scott 14 points
9. Wesleyan 9 points
Men's Basketball
LC was placed at third out of the seven CCS teams. The Panthers went 16-11 (7-5 CCS) last year and have multiple key players returning. LC received a total of 24 points in this year's poll. Belhaven edged out LC in the poll with 30 points and one first place vote. The Blazers went 15-12 (7-5 CCS) and lost to Maryville in the conference tournament 84-74. Maryville topped the poll with six first place votes and 36 total points. Last season, they went 18-8 (10-2 CCS) and won the CCS regular season and conference tournament.
2023-24 CCS Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Maryville 36 points (6)
2. Belhaven 30 points (1)
3. LaGrange 24 points
4. Piedmont 20 points
5. Berea 19 points
6. Huntingdon 10 points
7. Covenant 8 points
Come out and cheer on the LC student-athletes in Mariotti Gym. Season tickets can still be purchased here.
