Benedict College Men's Basketball selected as favorite in SIAC Conference | News

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced its Preseason All Conference Team and Predicted Order of Finish, as voted on by the SIAC Men’s Basketball Coaches Association.
Defending Conference Champion Benedict College was predicted to repeat as champions for the 2012-2013 basketball season. The Tigers return a solid lineup led by Preseason All-SIAC point guard Xavier Collier. The senior from Augusta missed the 2012 season with an injury, but put up stellar numbers as a sophomore. He averaged 14 points and 5.6 assist per game, which ranked him 17th in Division II.

The Tigers were also favored in the East Division followed by Paine College, Clark Atlanta, Fort Valley State, Albany State, Morehouse, and Claflin respectively. Andre Nelson, a 6-foot-7 power forward/center combination was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year.

In the West Division, Stillman voted as the top team. Coach Mike Grant returns one of the top perimeter shooting teams led by his three Preseason All-SIAC picks Damian Ford, Ladarius Rhone, and Jeffery Wherry. Pick to finish behind the Tigers are Tuskegee, LeMoyne-Owen, Kentucky State, Miles College, and Lane College.

Andre Nelson, a 6-foot-7 power forward/center combination was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year. Last season Nelson averaged 16 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for the Maroon Tigers.

The Preseason All-Conference Team and Predicted Order of Finish are listed below
 

SIAC PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM

Name # School Ht Cl. Position Hometown
Calvin Thomas 3 Tuskegee Univ. 6-0 Sr. SG Eufaula, AL
Terrance Bowman 30 Claflin 6-4 Sr. G Cairo, GA
Shawn Allen 32 Morehouse 6-5 Sr. G New Orleans, LA
Xavier Collier 05 Benedict 5-11 Sr. PG Augusta, GA
Damian Ford 1 Stillman 6-3 Sr. G Birmingham, AL
Jeffery Wherry 14 Stillman 5-8 Jr. G Huntsville, AL
Brandon Davey 32 Fort Valley State 6-6 Jr. F Warner Robins, GA
Ladarius Rhone 24 Stillman College 6-5 Sr. SF Fairfield, AL
Andre Nelson 50 Morehouse 6-7 Sr. C/F Valley Stream, NY
Brandon Darrett 12 Kentucky State 6-2 Jr. F Evansville, Ind.

Preseason Player of the Year
Name # School Height Cl. Position Hometown
Andre Nelson 50 Morehouse 6’7 Sr. C/F Valley Stream, NY


Predicted Order of Finish
East Division

1. Benedict College
2. Paine College
3. Clark Atlanta University
4. Fort Valley State University
5. Albany State University
6. Morehouse College
7. Claflin University

West Division

1. Stillman College
2. Tuskegee University
3. LeMoyne-Owen College
4. Kentucky State University
5. Miles College
6. Lane College

Overall Champion: Benedict College