SAU men’s tagged fifth in basketball

Southern Arkansas has been picked to finish fifth in this season’s GAC basketball race, according to the preseason coaches’ poll released on Thursday. The Muleriders received 80 points, just three short of East Central (83) in the fourth spot.

Southern Nazarene was picked to finish first, receiving 121 points, and 11 of 12 first place votes. Northwest Oklahoma State, picked to finish sixth, received 78 points and the other first place vote.

Southeastern Oklahoma State (92 points) and Arkansas Tech (86) were picked to finish second and third, respectively.

Ouachita (53), Arkansas-Monticello (52), Southwestern Oklahoma State (46) and Harding (43) round out spots seven through ten and Henderson State (41) and Oklahoma Baptist (17) bringing up the pack at 11th and 12th.

The Muleriders return nine players from a team that finished 15-14 (11-11 GAC) last season, including top scorer and top assister, redshirt senior CJ Elkins (14.0 ppg and 3.2 apg), as well as top rebounder and top shotblocker, sophomore forward DeVante Brooks (4.3 rpg and 0.9 bpg).

The Muleriders also return top-five scorers from last season, senior point guard Draylan Perkin (10.3 ppg) and senior forward Wesley Nosakhare (6.8 ppg).

The Muleriders open on the season on the road in Lancaster, Texas, against Augustana University and University of Mary on November 9-10 as a part of the GAC/NSIC Challenge. The first home game this season is Nov. 13 against Southeast Baptist College, a week in which they also host Paul Quinn College and Mississippi College on the Nov. 17 and Nov. 20, respectively.

The Muleriders go to Tennessee to play Union University to wrap up nonconference play. Conference play opens up Nov. 29 when the Muleriders host Henderson State.

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