The University of Central Arkansas men?s basketball team
was picked third in the Gulf South Conference West Division in the preseason coaches’ poll released Wednesday.
The Bears, under the direction of new head coach Rand Chappell, are picked third behind No. 1 Henderson State (58 points), Chappell’s former school, and No. 2 Delta State (57).
Following the Bears (48) are Christian Brothers (40), Harding (34), Ouachita Baptist (33), Arkansas-Monticello
(17), Arkansas Tech (13) and Southern Arkansas (10).
The GSC West All-GSC preseason team consisted of Billy McDaniel of UAM, Jordan Jeffries and Adam Heitzman of CBU and Tarvoris Uzoigwe and Steve Parillon of HSU.
The top newcomers to watch in the GSC West include UCA’s Lamar Grimes, a 6-foot guard from Indiana State, and Lee Reliford, a 6-5 forward from Labette Community College.
West Georgia was the pick to win the GSC East Division, followed closely by Alabama-Huntsville and Valdosta State. The Braves were also the pick to win the overall GSC Tournament, followed by Alabama-Huntsville, UCA, Delta
State and Henderson State.
Chappell led HSU to four GSC titles in his five seasons at the school before taking over the UCA program last spring. UCA was 5-20 overall last year and 5-11 in GSC play.