Streaking Xavier Gold Nuggets picked to win another GCAC title

NEW ORLEANS — No surprise here. Xavier University of Louisiana, winner of its past 29 games against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponents, was picked first again in the preseason coaches poll.

The Gold Nuggets received seven first-place votes and 49 points. SUNO received the other first-place vote and tied with Tougaloo for second place with 37 points.

It's the ninth time in 10 seasons that the Nuggets finished in the top two of the coaches poll.

Xavier hasn't lost to a GCAC team since a 59-56 decision at LSU-Shreveport in the semifinals of the conference tournament on March 6, 2009. The Gold Nuggets went 18-0 in the GCAC regular season and 3-0 in the tournament in 2009-10, then 6-0 in the regular season and 2-0 in the tournament this past year.

LSUS no longer is in the GCAC, but the conference expanded from six to eight teams during the summer by adding Philander Smith and Talladega. All teams will play a double round-robin schedule of 14 games.

Keldra Hall, Jazmoné Kelly and Brandi Young, all seniors, are returning starters for Xavier, which will travel to SEC member LSU for a 7 p.m. exhibition on Nov. 2, then open the regular season at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 against Florida Memorial at The Barn. Hall and Kelly were All-GCAC this past season, and Young was All-GCAC Tournament. Hall was GCAC Newcomer of the Year.

Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Women's Basketball 2011-12 Preseason Coaches Poll (first-place votes in parentheses) No. School Points 1. Xavier (7) 49 2. (tie) SUNO (1) 37 2. (tie) Tougaloo 37 4. Talladega 32 5. Dillard 29 6. Edward Waters 20 7. (tie) Fisk 10 7. (tie) Philander Smith 10 Xavier in previous GCAC polls 2010-11 — 1st 2009-10 — 2nd 2008-09 — 1st 2007-08 — 2nd 2006-07 — 3rd 2004-05 — 1st       2003-04 — 2nd 2002-03 — 2nd 2001-02 — 1st 1999-2000 — 1st 1993-94 — 1st

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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