SFA Tabbed 2018-19 Southland Favorites in League's Preseason Poll
10/10/2018 9:01:00 AM | Men's Basketball
'Jacks gather 23 of 26 first-place votes
Complete Southland Conference Release
FRISCO, Texas - No men's basketball squad in the nation has exceeded the in-conference dominance of SFA over the past six seasons and given the way the voting shook out when the league's preseason poll was released Wednesday morning, the conference's head coaches and athletic media relations personnel expect do not expect that trend to change in 2018-19.
The 'Jacks have been tabbed as the overwhelming favorites to capture the 2018-19 Southland Conference regular season crown, gathering up 23 of a possible 26 first-place votes. In all, SFA accumulated 287 points to take the top spot in the preseason listing but it was followed closely by 2017-18 Southland Conference regular season co-champion Southeastern Louisiana who totaled two first-place votes and 243 total points.
Following up the 'Jacks and Lion for third place in the poll was New Orleans (204 points) with fourth-place Abilene Christian (196 points) receiving a single first-place vote. Lamar (186 points) rounded out the top five teams in the poll.
Since the 2012-13 season began, SFA has rolled up an impressive 91-13 (.875 winning percentage) record in Southland Conference skirmishes which is tied with American Athletic Conference power Wichita State for both the best in-conference winning percentage and the highest number of in-conference victories in the nation throughout that same span.
Last season, the 'Jacks wreaked havoc on opposing teams, leading the nation in total steals, steals per game and turnovers forced per game. They used that disruptive defense to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the past five seasons and finished the campaign with a 28-7 record. Entering his third season in charge of the 'Jacks, head coach Kyle Keller retains the services of nine letter winners from last season's squad.
Led by 2018-19 Preseason All-Southland Conference First Team choices Shannon Bogues, Kevon Harris and TJ Holyfield, the 'Jacks lift the lid on their 2018-19 campaign on Tuesday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. inside William R. Johnson Coliseum. That night, SFA takes on Texas Wesleyan for the 35th time in program history.
2018 Southland Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
Place | School (first-place votes) | Total points
1. SFA (23) | 287
2. Southeastern Louisiana (2) | 243
3. New Orleans | 204
4. Abilene Christian (1) | 196
5. Lamar | 186
6. Sam Houston State | 184
7. McNeese | 172
8. Central Arkansas | 136
9. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 115
T10. Houston Baptist | 101
T10. Nicholls | 101
12. Northwestern State | 73
13. Incarnate Word | 30
-SFA-
