ATLANTA – The Piedmont men’s basketball team was selected fourth overall in the Collegiate Conference of the South Preseason Coaches Poll announced Wednesday.
Following a fifth-place finish in the league in 2022-23, the Lions received 20 points to finish one point ahead of Berea in the standings.
Last season, Piedmont went on the road and toppled the Mountaineers in the quarterfinals in double overtime for an 86-80 victory. It was a thrilling contest that propelled the Lions to the semifinals, where the eventual CCS Champions, Maryville, won at home to advance.
Maryville is projected to repeat as champions with 36 points in the poll, coming in six points ahead of Belhaven. The Blazers were the Scots’ opponent in the inaugural CCS Championship a season ago as the Scots won 84-74.
Following Belhaven’s 30 points is LaGrange in third place with 24 points. Piedmont came in at fourth with 20 points, while Berea was one behind in fifth with 19 points. Huntingdon (10 points) and Covenant (8 points) round out the seven teams.
This year, Piedmont brings back a star-studded lineup featuring all three all-conference performers from a season ago in Ryan Jolly, Devin Dean, and Noah Reardon, the top three scorers from a season ago.
The Lions begin the year with Emory University coming to Cave Arena on Sunday, November 12, with tipoff set for 4 p.m.
Conference play begins in the new year with Piedmont facing LaGrange on Friday, January 5, at 7 p.m. at home.
The 2023-24 CCS Men’s Basketball Championship opens on Tuesday, February 20, and is capped by the championship game on Saturday, February 24, hosted by the highest seeded team.
2023-24 CCS Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
| 1. | Maryville | 36 points (6) |
| 2. | Belhaven | 30 points (1) |
| 3. | LaGrange | 24 points |
| 4. | Piedmont | 20 points |
| 5. | Berea | 19 points |
| 6. | Huntingdon | 10 points |
| 7. | Covenant | 8 points |
