USA South Athletic Conference releases preseason basketball polls

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  – The Huntingdon women's basketball team is ranked fourth in the West Division and the men's basketball team is sixth with the release of the USA South Athletic Conference preseason men's and women's basketball polls on Wednesday.

The Lady Hawks totaled 31 points in the West Division. Maryville and Piedmont each received four first-place votes and 46 points to tie for first. Piedmont is the defending conference tournament champion and Maryville was the conference tournament runner-up last season.

In the East Division, the Ferrum women are the preseason No. 1 with five first-place votes and 60 points. Averett is second with four first-place votes and 58 points.

On the men's side, Maryville earned five first-place votes and 25 points to lead the West Division. Defending conference tournament champion Lagrange is second with one first-place vote and 20 points. The Hawks are sixth with six points.

In the East Division, Methodist leads the poll with five first-place votes and 25 points. The Monarchs were the conference tournament runner-up last season. North Carolina Wesleyan is second in the East Division with one first-place vote and 20 points.

The Huntingdon men open the season at home on Nov. 15 against Berry at 7 p.m. The Huntingdon women open the season at home in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic on Nov. 16 against Pensacola Christian at 6 p.m.

The complete polls are listed below.

USA South Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

West Division

T1. Maryville (4 first-place votes), 46 points

T1. Piedmont (4), 46 points

3. LaGrange, 33 points

4. Huntingdon, 31 points

5. Berea, 29 points

6. Covenant, 19 points

7. Agnes Scott, 12 points

8. Wesleyan, 8 points

East Division

1. Ferrum (5 first-place votes), 60 points

2. Averett (4), 58 points                                                                                                

3. Greensboro, 51 points

4. N.C. Wesleyan, 40 points

5. William Peace, 33 points

6. Methodist, 28 points

7. Salem, 25 points

8. Meredith, 21 points

9. Mary Baldwin, 8 points

USA South Men's Basketball Preseason Poll

West Division

1. Maryville (5 first-place votes), 25 points

2. LaGrange (1), 20 points

3. Covenant, 16 points

4. Piedmont, 13 points

5. Berea, 10 points

6. Huntingdon, 6 points

East Division

1. Methodist, (5 first-place votes), 25 points

2. N.C. Wesleyan (1), 20 points

3. Averett, 17 points

4. Greensboro, 11 points

5. Ferrum, 10 points

6. William Peace, 7 points