FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist men's basketball team claimed five of the six possible first-place votes as it was selected first in the USA South East Division Coaches Preseason Poll.
 
The Monarchs, who shared the regular season conference title a season ago, tallied a total of 25 points to lead the East Division, while N.C. Wesleyan received the final first-place vote and 20 points as it was picked to finish second. Averett (17 points), Greensboro (11), Ferrum (10) and William Peace (7) rounded out the preseason poll for the East. Pfeiffer, which is currently reclassifying to Division III, was not included in the coaches poll.
 
In the West, Maryville also earned five first-place votes for a total of 25 points to sit atop the poll. The defending-USA South Tournament champion LaGrange gained the final first-place vote and tallied 20 points to place second. Covenant (16 points), Piedmont (13), Berea (10) and Huntingdon (6) rounded out the voting in the West. Brevard, which is currently reclassifying to Division III, was not included in the coaches poll.
 
MU returns four of five starters from last season, including Davion Ayabarreno who finished second in the conference in scoring last season. Ayabarreno, a First Team All-USA South and NCCSIA All-State second team pick, averaged 20.3 points per game and scored at least 25 points in eight games. Also returning is Jackson Whitley who earned honorable mention honors from the league last year. He recorded 14 double-doubles and ranked sixth in the nation with 3.2 blocks per game. Also returning is Rae Hall and Bryan Rouse who averaged 12.6 and 11.5 points per game, respectively.
 
Methodist kicks off its season on Nov. 18 against Oglethorpe in a neutral-site contest on the campus of Sewanee beginning at 8 pm.
 

 

2017-18 USA South Men's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll East Division Rank Institution (1st Place Votes) Pts. 1. Methodist (5) 25 2. N.C. Wesleyan (1) 20 3. Averett 17 4. Greensboro 11  5. Ferrum 10 6. William Peace 7  --- *Pfeiffer - *Ineligible for USA South Championship (Div. III Reclassifying Member)

 

2017-18 USA South Men's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll West Division
Rank	Institution (1st Place Votes)	Pts.
1.	Maryville (5)	25
2.	LaGrange (1)	20
3.	Covenant	16
4.	Piedmont	13
5.	Berea	10
6.	Huntingdon	6
---	*Brevard	-
*Ineligible for USA South Championship (Div. III Reclassifying Member)