The University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears were
picked to win the Gulf South Conference West Division and the overall tournament title by the league?s coaches, according to the preseason poll released Wednesday.
Coach Ron Marvel’s Sugar Bears, coming off an 28-6 season and an Elite Eight appearance, received 60 votes in the West Division poll.
UCA was ahead of Henderson State (55), Arkansas Tech (48), Christian Brothers (40), Delta State (39), Harding (26), Arkanas-Monticello (22), Ouachita Baptist (20) and Southern Arkansas (14).
The Sugar Bears were the clear favorite to win the GSC Tournament, picking up 12 votes to three for HSU and two for Valdosta State, the No. 2 pick in the East Division. Lincoln Memorial was on top of the East poll with 46 votes, just ahead of VSU (43).
UCA dominated the GSC West preseason All-GSC team with three of the five players named. Junior All-American guard Carone Harris of Bradley was joined by senior centers Bekka Middleton of Bryant and Genai Walker of England. The
other two spots went to CBU’s Crystal Howard and HSU?s Satoya Spates.
Listed among the top newcomers were UCA’s Renita Dobbins, a freshman guard from Little Rock Parkview, and Ashley Hutchcraft, a freshman guard from Guy-Perkins.
The Sugar Bears finished second in the GSC Tournament last year, losing to Arkansas Tech in the championship game. They then turned the tables, beating ATU in the final of the South Regional in Russellville to earn their
first berth in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.