Jan. 30, 2013

click here for coaches' preseason All-Southland teams

Sam Houston State is first in Southland Preseason Polls

Sam Houston State, the 2012 regular-season champion, is favored to repeat in the Southland Conference Preseason Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors as released by the conference office.

The Bearkats were the unanimous favorite of the coaches, picking up the maximum nine first-place votes for 81 points. The earned four first-place votes and 75 points in the SID poll. Southeastern Louisiana was second in both polls, registering 68 points by the coaches and 72 by the SIDs. Conference newcomer Oral Roberts finished third in both polls, with 65 points in the coaches’ poll and 71 in the SID poll.

Stephen F. Austin was fourth in the coaches’ poll, followed by Central Arkansas, Lamar, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, McNeese State, Northwestern State and Nicholls. The standings were similar for the SID poll, with Lamar and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi finishing in a tie for sixth.

The 2013 campaign begins on Friday, Feb. 15, with all eight teams in action. Conference play kicks off the weekend of March 22-24. The Southland Championship will be held at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. The eight-team double elimination tournament will be held from May 22-25.

2013 Southland Preseason Polls

Coaches’ Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2012 SLC, Overall Records)

1. Sam Houston State 81 (9) (24-9, 40-22)

2. Southeastern Louisiana 68 (1) (20-13, 39-21)

3. Oral Roberts 65 (17-6 Summit, 38-25)

4. Stephen F. Austin 48 (16-17, 26-33)

5. Central Arkansas 47 (16-17, 26-33)

6. Lamar 45 (14-19, 22-30)

7. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 32 (14-19, 24-33)

8. McNeese State 30 (17-16, 24-30)

9. Northwestern State 19 (14-19, 19-32)

10. Nicholls 15 (13-19, 26-28)

Sports Information Directors’ Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2012 SLC, Overall Records)

1. Sam Houston State 75 (4) (24-9, 40-22)

2. Southeastern Louisiana 72 (3) (20-13, 39-21)

3. Oral Roberts 71 (3) (17-6 Summit, 38-25)

4. Stephen F. Austin 51 (16-17, 26-33)

5. Central Arkansas 46 (16-17, 26-33)

t6. Lamar 34 (14-19, 22-30)

t6. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 34 (14-19, 24-33)

8. McNeese State 32 (17-16, 24-30)

9. Northwestern State 22 (14-19, 19-32)

10. Nicholls 13 (13-19, 26-28)