Oct. 26, 2004
ORLANDO - Defending Atlantic Sun Tournament Champion UCF is favored in the 2004 A-Sun Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll, while two-time tournament champion Georgia State is predicted to win the conference by a poll of the league's head coaches. The two teams have combined for five A-Sun Tournament titles and while UCF has never won the A-Sun Regular Season Title, Georgia State has earned at least a share of the honor four times. The Panthers are favored in both polls to win this season's A-Sun Tournament Championship.
The Golden Knights are coming off of one of the most successful seasons in school history, going 25-6 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the third time under head coach Kirk Speraw. The Knights return two starters from last year's squad. Gary Johnson is the leading returning scorer for the Knights, averaging 7.6 points per game last season. Johnson was one of the leagues top point guards ranking among the league leaders in assists and steals. Senior forward Marcus Avant also returns for UCF. The 6-8 Valdosta, Georgia, native started 29 contests for the Golden Knights and averaged 3.9 rebounds per game.
The top five in both polls also include Stetson, Troy and tournament host Belmont. The Hatters, who return four starters, are predicted to finish second in the coaches poll, garnering four first place votes. Another team to watch is Florida Atlantic, which received a first place vote in each poll and are led by A-Sun Preseason Player-of-the-Year Mike Bell.
The top eight teams will advance to the championship and compete for the A-Sun's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This year's tournament will be hosted by Belmont, on March 3-5, in Nashville, Tenn., at the Curb Event Center.
2004 A-Sun Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team Pts.1. Georgia State (6) 1042. Stetson (4) 1033. UCF 964. Troy 855t. Belmont 745t. Florida Atlantic (1) 747. Jacksonville 628. Mercer 589. Gardner-Webb 2710. Lipscomb 2411. Campbell 19
Tournament Champion:GSU (7)
2004 A-Sun Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
Team Pts.1. UCF (4) 1562. Georgia State (5) 1473. Troy (2) 1444. Stetson (1) 1365. Belmont (2) 1286. Florida Atlantic (3) 1167. Mercer 978. Jacksonville 869. Gardner-Webb 5210. Campbell 3611. Lipscomb 26
Tournament Champion:GSU (6)