CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Chattanooga and Davidson were tabbed as preseason favorites to win the divisional championships for the 2008-09 Southern Conference Men’s Basketball titles in a vote of the league’s media members.  The vote took place as part of the Southern Conference’s Basketball Tip-Off on Thursday (Oct. 30) where the league’s coaches and select student-athletes met the media.

Chattanooga captured 17 of 20 first-place votes to earn first place in the north division.  Appalachian State picked up two first-place votes and finished with 92 points for second place, while Elon earned the final first-place vote and took third place with 80 points.  UNC Greensboro (62), Western Carolina (37) and Samford (32) completed the north division standings.

Davidson finished with 119 points on the strength of 19 first-place votes.  The College of Charleston earned the final first-place vote and finished second with 98 total points.  Georgia Southern was chosen third, followed by Wofford, Furman and The Citadel.

Georgia Southern is the first SoCon team to hit the hardwood, as the Bulldogs face Houston as part of the 2K Sports Classic in Durham, N.C on November 10.  The 2009 Southern Conference Basketball Tournament will take place March 6-9 at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn.

2008-09 Media Preseason Polls

North Division

Team (1^st Place Votes) Points

1. Chattanooga (17)                    117

2. Appalachian State (2)             92

3. Elon (1)                                 80

4. UNC Greensboro                    62

5. Western Carolina                   37

6. Samford                                32

South Division

Team (1^st Place Votes) Points

1. Davidson (19)                         119

2. College of Charleston (1)         98

3. Georgia Southern                   79

4. Wofford                                 56

5. Furman                                 44

6. The Citadel                            24