UAPB men picked 10th in SWAC

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men’s basketball team has been picked to finish 10th in the SWAC this season, the league announced Friday.

The preseason poll was voted on by the SWAC’s coaches and sports information directors. A 10th place finish would be one spot lower than last year’s 9th place campaign.

Reigning champions Grambling State were picked to repeat atop the SWAC, receiving 10 of 20 first place votes. Perennial contender Texas Southern was picked second. Southern and Jackson State round out the top four.

In total, each of the top eight teams received at least one first place vote, with Alcorn State, Alabama State, Prairie View A&M and Bethune-Cookman completing that group. Alabama A&M was picked ninth, just a few points shy of Bethune.

Florida A&M, 11th, and Mississippi Valley State, 12th, were the two teams picked to finish behind the Golden Lions this year.

The Golden Lions did not place any players on the preseason all-SWAC teams. Grambling State’s Kintavious Dozier was named preseason offensive player of the year, and Kenny Hunter from Texas Southern was named defensive player of the year.

These preseason picks come after UAPB lost most of last year’s key contributors. Kylen Milton transferred to Murray State, and Ismael Plet transferred to Robert Morris. Other players such as Joe French, Rashad Williams and Lonnell Martin Jr. exhausted their eligibility.