Spartans Selected Sixth in Preseason SSC Poll

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Sunshine State Conference revealed its 2008-09 preseason basketball rankings with Tampa tabbed as the sixth-ranked team in the conference. Florida Southern was overwhelmingly selected to defend its conference championship.

Voting is conducted among the league's women's basketball coaches and sports information directors.

Florida Southern received 128 points and 16 first place votes to top the poll. Rollins followed behind in second with 100 points and one first place vote. Eckerd ranked third (90) followed by Nova Southeastern (73 and one first place vote), while Lynn rounded out the top five with 72 points. Tampa (57) finished in front of Florida Tech (56), Saint Leo (54) and Barry (18).

The Spartans return only two starters from last year's team that finished second in the SSC and appeared in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002. Johnathan Ball, last season's SSC Defensive Player of the Year, returns as does Rashad Callaway who was selected to the 2007-08 SSC all-freshman team.

2008-09 SSC MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
Rank - School, Points (1st Place Votes)
1 - Florida Southern, 128 points (16)
2 - Rollins, 100 (1)
3 - Eckerd, 90
4 - Nova Southeastern, 73 (1)
5 - Lynn, 72
6 - Tampa, 57
7 - Florida Tech, 56
8 - Saint Leo, 54
9 - Barry 18