Feb. 8, 2013

Coaches' Preseason All-SWAC team

Southern, Alabama State, Jackson State top SWAC Poll

Southern was picked to win the Western Division, while Alabama State and Jackson State tied for first in the Eastern Division in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Preseason Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors as released by the conference office.

Southern received 10 first-place votes and 85 points to take first in the West, followed by Prairie View A&M, Grambling State, Texas Southern and Arkansas Pine Bluff.

Alabama State and Jackson State both earned eight first-place votes and 77 points for the top spot in the East. Alcorn State was third, followed by Mississippi Valley State and Alabama A&M.

The 2013 campaign begins on Friday, Feb. 15, with conference play kicking off the weekend of March.2-3. Alabama State visits Alcorn State to highlight that weekend. The SWAC Tournament will be played May 15-19.

2013 SWAC Preseason Poll

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

Eastern Division

t1. Alabama State 77 (8) (14-10, 20-36)

t1. Jackson State 77 (8) (21-3, 34-17)

3. Alcorn State 61 (2) (14-10, 18-37)

4. Mississippi Valley State 45 (1) (10-14, 17-39)

5. Alabama A&M 22 (1-23, 8-42)

Western Division

1. Southern 85 (10) (17-7, 33-16)

2. Prairie View A&M 74 (6) (15-8, 28-25)

3. Grambling State 59 (2) (13-11, 22-26)

4. Texas Southern 56 (2) (8-15, 26-28)

5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 26 (6-18, 8-38-1)