University of Tampa Ranks Third in SSC Preseason Poll

MELBOURNE, Fla. - Sunshine State Conference men's basketball coaches select Barry University to win its third consecutive regular season championship. The Buccaneers take the top spot following 95 total votes and six first-place votes in the preseason poll. 

WATCH: 2017-18 Men's Basketball Season Outlooks with SSC Head Coaches

Barry edges out Rollins College for the top spot in the coaches poll. The Tars, last year's SSC tournament champs, tallied 87 total votes and three first-place votes. Three votes separate teams three through five, with the University of Tampa grabbing 68 votes, Eckerd College receiving 67 votes, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University garnering 65 votes. Embry-Riddle and Lynn University split the final two first-place votes.

The University of Tampa will be led by returning seniors Duke Shelton and Marcel Robinson as well as juniors Pat Bacon, Freddy Ibrahim, and Anthony Gamble. Robinson and Shelton led the Spartans last season averaging 14.2 and 14.0 points per game, respectively. UT has also added three transfers to the roster as well as two freshmen.

During the 2016-17 season Barry (23-7, 13-5), Eckerd (21-9, 13-5), and Rollins (24-11, 12-6) gained entry into the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament. Barry defeated Eckerd (91-87) in the opening round of the tournament before falling in the next round to the University of Alabama - Huntsville (96-82). Rollins rode into the NCAA tournament hot handed, on an eight-game win streak. The Tars then took down Valdosta State University (89-85, OT), Delta State University (88-61), and Alabama-Huntsville (72-68) to win the regional tournament. Rollins' season came to an end in the Elite Eight following a loss to Fairmont State University (86-68).  

In the Division II Bulletin Preseason Top-25, Rollins ranks No. 10 and Barry is pegged as No. 16. Additionally, Barry ranks No. 5 in Street & Smith's preseason poll. The D2 Bulletin has also recognized Elvar Fridriksson of Barry and Sam Daniel of Florida Tech. Fridriksson was tabbed a Super 16 (All-American) selection, while Daniel earns preseason honorable mention All-American. Last season's SSC Player of the Year, Fridriksson, was also named preseason All-American by Street & Smith. 

The 2017-18 season tips off with Saint Leo University and Palm Beach Atlantic University in California on November 3rd. Conference play begins with a full slate of games on November 15th.

Below are the full results of the 2017-18 SSC preseason coaches' poll. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams (points: 11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses).

2017 - 18 SSC MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL