Spartans Chosen Fifth In Preseason SSC Poll

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team has been tabbed No. 5 in the Sunshine State Conference preseason poll. Florida Southern College has been chosen as the favorite to win its third consecutive league title.

The Moccasins collected 118 points in a preseason poll conducted among the league's men's basketball coaches and sports information directors. FSC just edged out Rollins, which ranked second in the poll with 114 points. The Mocs collected seven first-place votes, while the Tars received six. Voters do not rank their own teams when completing their polls.

Lynn, which collected two first-place nods, gathered 82 points to rank third in the poll. Eckerd's 73 points placed the Tritons fourth. Tampa received 64 points to appear in the fifth slot, while Florida Tech nipped at the Spartans' heels with 63 points. The Panthers received the three remaining first-place votes.

Barry (54), Nova Southeastern (43), and Saint Leo (37) occupied the final three slots in the preseason rankings.

Coming off a 16-12 season, UT returns two starters from the 2008-09 season along with 10 letterwinners. Leading the Spartans will be preseason All-American Rashad Callaway as fellow guard Anthony LaBruno also returns to give head coach Richard Schmidt a formidable backcourt duo. Callaway is coming off a sophomore season where he averaged 18.0 points to go with 126 assists and 43 steals.

UT opens the 2009-10 campaign on Mon., Nov. 23 when it hosts Florida Memorial at 7:30 p.m. at the Martinez Center.

2009-10 SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
Rank - School, Points (1st place votes)
1. Florida Southern, 118 (7)
2. Rollins, 114 (6)
3. Lynn, 82 (2)
4. Eckerd, 73
5. Tampa, 64
6. Florida Tech, 63 (3)
7. Barry, 54
8. Nova Southeastern, 43
9. Saint Leo, 37