FAYETTEVLLE, N.C. — Returning a roster full of talent including three starters and the USA South Rookie of the Year from 2014-15, the Piedmont College men's basketball team was picked in a tie for fifth place in the conference preseason coaches poll. Averett University, the regular season champions from a season ago, were selected as the preseason favorite to win the title in 2015-16.
Averett took nine of the available 11 first place votes while earning 94 points overall while N.C. Wesleyan took second with 75 points. Maryville College was just a single point behind in third with 74 points while Greensboro took fourth with 67 points overall.
Piedmont tied for fifth place with LaGrange who earned one first place vote as both teams had 64 points in the poll. Piedmont returns 11 letterwinners including starters Peyton Luken, Chris Meeks and Chase England while also returning the USA South Rookie of the Year from last season, Justin Vallejo. The Lions were one of the biggest surprises in the conference last season being picked ninth preseason but earning their first appearance in the USA South tournament.
Following Piedmont in seventh place was William Peace who took the remaining first place vote to finish with 63 points in the poll, just one shy of the tie for fifth. The final four spots belonged to Methodist (40 points), Ferrum (29 points), Covenant (23 points) and Huntingdon (12 points).
Piedmont's season will begin against Emory University on the road on November 13 at 7 p.m. The Lions shocked the Eagles in 2014-15 picking up a win over then #6 Emory inside Cave Arena in a thrilling victory for the home opener.
