The Ouachita Baptist University men’s basketball team received six first-place votes as the Tigers were selected Thursday to win the Gulf South Conference West Division in the preseason coaches’ poll.
Ouachita was predicted No. 1 for the first time since joining the Gulf South Conference in 2001-01, totaling 45 points behind six first-place votes. Defending GSC Champion Christian Brothers finished second (36) led by one first-place vote, while Delta State (35) came in third, just one point behind the Buccaneers. Arkansas-Monticello earned the final first-place nod en route to fourth place (31). Harding (28) is expected to claim the final GSC Tournament spot, while Arkansas Tech (25) ranked sixth. Completing the poll was Southern Arkansas (14) and Henderson State (10).
The Tigers are also among the favorites to win the Gulf South Conference Tournament. North Alabama, selected the top school in the East Division, garnered seven votes, while Ouachita had six. Christian Brothers and Montevallo each received one vote.
Ed Keyes, who was tabbed to the 2007-08 All-Gulf South Conference First Team, and Jaranimo Marks were named to the West Division preseason team. Keyes, a native of Atlantic City, N.J., was fourth in the conference in blocks (1.87) and sixth in rebounds (7.6). He averaged 12.4 points in helping the Tigers to a 20-10 record. Marks, a native of Arkadelphia, Ark., averaged 9.1 points.
Roger Eiland and Belford Williams were selected top newcomers by the conference. Eiland is a 6-foot-6, forward/guard, junior transfer from Hill College and native of Grand Prairie, Texas. Williams, a 6-4, forward, transfer from the College of Eastern Utah is originally from Hill Air Force Base in Utah.
The Tigers begin the season with a legendary trip to Rupp Arena on Friday, Nov. 7 to take on NCAA Division I Kentucky in an exhibition game. Ouachita opens the season on the road at the St Edward’s Classic in Austin, Texas with games against Texas A&M-International and host St. Edward’s.
