Eagles Picked to Finish 2nd in AAC
WALESKA, Ga. - Union is the team to beat in the hunt for the 2022-23 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Basketball Championship, according to the AAC Coaches' Preseason Poll released Wednesday.
The men's basketball coaches of the AAC voted.
Union collected 12 first-place votes and 168 voting points to claim the top spot. The Bulldogs went 25-9 overall last season and won the regular-season crown with a 20-4 league record. Union went on to win the AAC Tournament and advanced to the NAIA National Championship Tournament.
Reinhardt garnered 148 voting points to land second, while Columbia International sits third with 127 points.
The Reinhardt Eagles have a very talented squad returning from last year's 20-win season and they have added new faces to the roster that should help them compete for the top spot in the AAC. Jalin Wimberly, Tyler Smith, Greg Hobbs, Tafari Thomas, Nate Louis, and other returning players will keep the Eagles pushing for that top spot and they have added a lot of talent as well. Coach Newton worked hard over the offseason adding quality depth to this roster with size, speed, and the ability to shoot from long range. It will be an exciting season at the Brown Athletic Center this winter!
Tennessee Wesleyan (111 points) and Truett McConnell (110 points) are fourth and fifth, while Montreat (92 points) is sixth and collected the remaining first-place vote.
The top 10 teams in the conference will advance to the 2023 AAC Tournament, which is set for Feb. 20-25.
The 2022-23 AAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
Team (1st-Place Votes) - Total Points
- Union - 168 (12)
- Reinhardt - 148
- Columbia International - 127
- Tennessee Wesleyan – 111
- Truett McConnell – 110
- Montreat - 92 (1)
- Bluefield - 90
- Point - 89
- Bryan – 85
- Milligan - 61
- Johnson - 41
- Kentucky Christian - 36
- St. Andrew's – 25