Spartans Rank Sixth in SSC Preseason Poll

MELBOURNE, Fla. - Barry University takes the top spot in 2016-17 Sunshine State Conference preseason men's basketball coaches poll. The Buccaneers received 57 total votes and three of nine first place votes.

VIDEO: 2016-17 Men's Basketball Season Outlooks with SSC Head Coaches

Conference coaches' gave a two-vote edge to the Buccaneers over Saint Leo University for first place. Saint Leo gathered 55 votes and two first place votes. Seven points then separate the Lions from Eckerd College. The third placed Tritons received 48 points votes and a first place vote. Rollins College obtained two first place nods from conference coaches and sit in fourth with 46 votes. The final first place vote goes to Lynn University who ranks fifth in the poll.

The University of Tampa returns all five of its starters to the roster for the 2016-17 season. The Spartans return senior leader Austin Rettig, who averaged 14 points-per-game and contributed 365 points for the season. Sophomore Pat Bacon, was awarded the Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year after averaging 19.2 points a game as well as recording 518 points for the season. Bacon also set the University of Tampa single season scoring record in his novice season. The top four scorers of last season, Bacon, Rettig, Marcel Robinson, and Duke Shelton all return for the 2016-17 season.

Barry, Eckerd, and Rollins all went 12-4 in league play to share the 2016-17 regular season title. It was the second regular season championship for both Eckerd and Barry and the ninth for Rollins. The Buccaneers and Tars also shared the 2006-07 league championship. Eckerd overcame Barry to capture their fourth conference tournament championship.

Barry (26-7, 12-4), Eckerd (25-7, 12-4), Rollins (21-9, 12-4), and Saint Leo (19-12, 10-6) earned entry into the 2015-16 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament. The Buccaneers defeated Rollins (107-92), Union (74-65), and Alabama-Huntsville (87-83) to win the regional. In the Elite Eight, Barry fell to national runner-up Lincoln Memorial (93-75).

The Division II Bulletin Preseason Top-25 poll has Barry ranked No. 19 and Eckerd as a team to watch. Additionally, Marcus Dewberry has been named a Division II Bulletin Super 16 selection. Barry's Elvar Fridriksson was selected as a Sporting News Preseason All-American Honorable Mention. Fridriksson was named the 2015-16 SSC Newcomer of the Year.

2016 - 17 SSC MENS BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL