Jan. 31, 2013

CBI Atlantic Sun preview

Coaches' Preseason All-A-Sun Team

Mercer, FGCU tie for first in Atlantic Sun Preseason Poll

Mercer and FGCU tied for the top spot in a tight Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches as released by the conference office.

The Eagles were the pick to finish first in the A-Sun Facebook Fan Poll.

The Bears picked up three first-place votes and 81 points, while FGCU received a pair of first-place votes in accumulating its 81 points. USC Upstate was a close third, with three first-place votes and 78 points. Kennesaw State got one first-place vote and 72 points to finish fourth, followed by North Florida, Stetson (with one first-place vote), ETSU, Lipscomb, Jacksonville and league newcomer Northern Kentucky.

Mercer, FGCU and Stetson tied for fourth place a season ago in the Atlantic Sun. Belmont, which departed to join the Ohio Valley Conference, won the regular-season and tournament titles in 2012. USC Upstate was second and Kennesaw State finished third a year ago.

The 2013 campaign begins on Friday, Feb. 15, with all 10 teams in action. Conference play kicks off the weekend of March 15-17, with Mercer at Kennesaw State and East Tennessee State at USC Upstate. The Atlantic Sun Championship will be held at Stetson’s Melching Field at Conrad Park in DeLand, Fla. The six-team double elimination tournament will be held from May 22-25.

2013 Atlantic Sun Preseason Polls

Coaches’ Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2012 A-Sun, Overall Records)

t1. Mercer 81 (3) (15-12, 38-21)

t1. FGCU 81 (2) (15-12, 26-31)

3. USC Upstate 78 (3) (16-10, 33-20)

4. Kennesaw State 72 (1) (15-11, 34-25)

5. North Florida 65 (12-15, 31-24)

6. Stetson 61 (1) (15-12, 35-23)

7. ETSU 38 (8-19, 23-32)

8. Lipscomb 36 (14-13, 25-30)

9. Jacksonville 28 (7-20, 18-38)

10. Northern Kentucky 10 (25-11 GLVC, 36-22)

Facebook Fan Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2012 A-Sun, Overall Records)

1. FGCU 95 (15-12, 26-31)

2. Mercer 76 (15-12, 38-21)

3. USC Upstate 50 (16-10, 33-20)

4. North Florida 44 (12-15, 31-24)

5. ETSU 35 (8-19, 23-32)

6. Lipscomb 23 (14-13, 25-30)

7. Jacksonville 14 (7-20, 18-38)

8. Stetson 12 (15-12, 35-23)

9. Kennesaw State 10 (15-11, 34-25)

10. Northern Kentucky 8 (25-11 GLVC, 36-22)