The Southern Conference Sports Media Association agreed with the league’s head coaches as the organization voted Appalachian State University men’s basketball as the North Division preseason favorite.

The Mountaineers received 22-of-30 first-place votes and 170 points overall.
Western Carolina collected the remaining eight first-place nods to accompany 146 total points, 20 more than third-place Chattanooga. Elon and Samford tied for fourth with 64 points each and UNC Greensboro collected 60.
Defending league champion Wofford earned 24 first-place votes and 174 points to win the South, ahead of College of Charleston’s six first-place votes and 156 points. Davidson was third with 118 points, followed by The Citadel (74), Furman (70) and Georgia Southern (38).
Appalachian won the North last season with a 13-5 SoCon mark and advanced to the conference tournament final for the first time since winning it in 2000. The Apps return nine contributors from last year’s squad, including league player of the year Donald Sims (Gaffney, S.C./Fork Union).
Led by first-year head coach Jason Capel, Appalachian plays its first competition of the season on Thursday evening in an exhibition against Less-McRae. Admission is free for the game, which tips off at 7 p.m. at the Holmes Center.

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SoCon Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of FinishTeam (1st Place Votes) Total

North Division

1. Appalachian State (22)        170
2. Western Carolina (8)           146
3. Chattanooga                       126
4. Elon                                   64
    Samford                             64
6. UNCG                                60

South Division
1. Wofford (24)                    174      
2. College of Charleston (6)  156
3. Davidson                         118
4. The Citadel                      74
5. Furman                            70
6. Georgia Southern        38