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AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University men's basketball team has been picked to finish third in the 2018 Peach Belt Conference preseason coaches poll that was released on Thursday morning after a vote from the leagues head coaches.
For the second year in a row, UNC Pembroke is the favorite to win the PBC men's basketball title. The Braves received nine of a possible 11 first-place votes and 118 total points, nine ahead of second-place Clayton State. Augusta was third in the voting with USC Aiken in fourth and Georgia Southwestern in fifth. Columbus State was sixth with Francis Marion seventh and eighth a tie between Georgia College and North Georgia. Flagler, Lander and Young Harris rounded out the voting.
Augusta has already gotten off to a great start to the 2018-19 season with a 77-72 exhibition win at South Carolina on Oc. 26. The Jaguars finished fourth or better in the PBC standings for the 12th year in a row and bring back three of their top five scorers from a year ago. Senior preseason All-Conference selection Deane Williams was second on the team with 13.1 ppg and led the Jags in rebounding with 8.1 per outing. Senior forward Tyvez Monroe was third in scoring and sixth in the PBC in three-pointers made.
The PBC Coaches Preseason Poll is listed below. Coaches were not permitted to rank their own teams. The regular-season begins on Friday, Nov. 9, with conference play starting on Saturday, Dec. 1. The 2018-19 PBC Tournament will be held March 6, 9-10 with the final four playing at the site of the highest remaining men's seed. The Jaguars signed six in the offseason and return seven players from last year
To view the full PBC press release click here
2018 PBC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. UNC Pembroke, 118
2. Clayton State, 109
3. Augusta, 100
4. USC Aiken, 89
5. Georgia Southwestern, 73
6. Columbus State, 59
7. Francis Marion, 57
t8. Georgia College, 49
t8. North Georgia, 49
10. Flagler, 45
11. Lander, 28
12. Young Harris, 16
About Augusta Men's Basketball
The Augusta University men's basketball team is led by head coach Dip Metress. On May 10, 2004, Metress was introduced as the fifth head coach in program history. He previously led the Belmont Abbey Crusaders (1996-04) and was an assistant for the Jaguars under Clint Bryant (1989-95). He has never had a losing season in his 14 seasons at the helm of the Jaguars. A two-time Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year, Metress and the Jags hosted five straight NCAA Regional Tournaments from 2007-11 and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight three seasons in a row. He was named the South Atlantic Coach of the Year in 2007, the Southeast Region Coach of the Year in 2009, and the NABC Southeast District Coach of the Year in 2011.
Augusta men's hoops has retired four numbers in its 52-year history: Ben Madgen (1), Keshun Sherrill (10), Tyrekus 'AJ' Bowman (23), and Keenan Mann (32). The Jaguars have reached the NCAA tournament 11 times and won their region three times.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics / on Twitter at @AugustaJags and on Instagram @augustajags
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