Chattanooga preseason pick to win SoCon men’s hoop title

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Chattanooga is the preseason pick to win the Southern Conference men’s basketball title in separate voting by league coaches and media.

Coaches selected Mocs guard Casey Jones as the preseason player of the year. The media did not vote for a player of the year.

Chattanooga received seven first-place votes and 78 points from coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their teams or players.

Right behind the Mocs in balloting was two-time defending conference Wofford followed by Mercer, East Tennessee and Furman.

SoCon media had the same top five teams in their vote.

Jones and Chattanooga teammate Justin Tuoyo were picked for the coaches’ 10-member preseason all-conference team.