AASU Men's Basketball Picked Fifth In PBC Preseason Poll

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball squad has been picked to finish fifth in a preseason poll of the Peach Belt Conference's head coaches for the upcoming 2008-09 season, released today by league officials.

USC Aiken is picked to repeat as league champions, receiving seven first place votes and 97 points overall. Augusta State, who finished as the NCAA DII runner-up in 2007-08, is picked to finish second, receiving four first-place votes and 94 points overall. Clayton State (70) is picked third, followed by North Georgia (69) and the Pirates (66).

GCSU (55) is picked sixth, followed by Georgia Southwestern State (42) and Columbus State (42), who are each picked to finish seventh. Francis Marion (34), Lander (26) and UNC Pembroke (10) round out the preseason poll.

The Pirates finished 17-11 overall and 11-9 in the Peach Belt Conference a season ago and return four players from that squad - seniors Parker Hayden, T.T. Hall, Calvin Wilson and Brian Moultrie. Head coach Jeff Burkhamer’s squad welcomes in a few talented transfers, led by Middle Tennessee State transfer Uriah Hethington (6-8, 205) and Charleston Southern transfer Marquise Duvall (6-7, 230), as well as freshman Chris Vanlandingham (6-4, 190), the state of North Carolina's leading scorer a season ago.

AASU opens up the 2008-09 season on Monday, November 17, with a 7:00 p.m. game against Queens (NC) at Alumni Arena.