SSC Mens Basketball Preseason Poll Released

ORLANDO, Fla. (Men’s Basketball) – The Sunshine State Conference released its preseason men’s basketball poll as voted on by the league’s
coaches and sports information directors and Florida Tech, which finished eighth last season, was picked to finish ninth in the 2007-08 season.  
Despite the low pick for the Panthers, head coach Billy Mims isn’t phased.   “I’m not surprised,” said Mims, “but to be honest,
preseason polls mean nothing. They’re based strictly on history – how the teams did last year. But games aren’t played by teams of the past. Teams win
championships because of the players they have on the floor.”   As expected, last year’s SSC regular-season co-champion Rollins College received the
top spot and 12 first place votes, with Eckerd College slated second with three first place votes. The University of Tampa, picked to finish fourth,
garnered the remaining three first place nods.   Coach Mims plans to use this poll as somewhat of a motivation for his team this season. With four out
of his five regular starters from last season back, the third-year coach hopes to surprise the conference this year.   “To win, you need three things:
first you need talent, and we have that this year; second you need to be healthy and have your key players remain injury free throughout the year; third
you need a bit of luck,” explains Mims. “Only one of those things you can control.   “Respect is not given, it’s earned,” Mims continued. “Those teams
that were picked at the top have earned that respect, and we’ll get there, but polls are political, games aren’t. We’ll let the five guys on the floor this
season decide what the final standings are going to be.”   Mims and his crew head to Stetson Friday night for preseason action. The Panthers and
Hatters tip off in DeLand at 7 p.m., and the game can be heard live at gopanthers.fit.edu.   2007-08 SSC Preseason Men’s Basketball
Poll Place – School, Points (First-Place Votes) 1 – Rollins, 32 (12) 2 – Eckerd, 46 (3) 3 – Nova Southeastern, 73 4 – Tampa, 78
(3) 5 – Lynn, 90 6 – Barry, 101 7 – Saint Leo, 110 8 – Florida Southern, 133 9 – Florida Tech, 147