Feb. 10, 2011

click here for coaches' preseason All-Atlantic Sun team

FGCU, Mercer share top spot in Atlantic Sun poll

Defending regular-season champion FGCU and tourney titlist Mercer tied for first in the Atlantic Sun preseason poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

The Eagles received five first-place votes and 112 points. FGCU has won the regular-season title each of the past three seasons.

The Bears won their first A-Sun championship in 27 years in 2010. Mercer earned four first-place votes on its way to 112 points.

ETSU picked up one first-place vote and 98 points for third. Jacksonville garnered the final first-place vote and came in fourth with 91 points, followed by Stetson, Belmont, UNF, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Campbell and USC Upstate.

The 2011 season kicks off on Friday, Feb. 18, with all 11 A-Sun teams in action. Conference play begins on Friday, March 4. For the second consecutive season, the Atlantic Sun Championship will be played at Ken Dugan Field on the campus of Lipscomb in Nashville, Tenn.

 
Atlantic Sun Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Team, Points (First place) (2010 A-Sun, Overall Records)

T1. FGCU, 112 (5) (25-5, 38-20)

T1. Mercer, 112 (4) (16-11, 38-24)

3. ETSU, 98 (1) (15-12, 32-28)

4. Jacksonville, 91 (1) (14-12, 27-29)

5. Stetson, 73 (14-13, 27-31)

6. Belmont, 61 (13-13, 27-27)

7. UNF, 56 (14-12, 30-28)

8. Kennesaw State, 46 (12-15, 23-32)

9. Lipscomb, 39 (9-17, 19-36)

10. Campbell, 25 (8-19, 28-27)

11. USC Upstate, 14 (8-19, 19-37)

A-Sun Tournament Champion: Mercer (five votes)