WSSU picked to finish first in Southern Division

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -  Winston-Salem State, the defending CIAA basketball champion, has a rather large bull's-eye on its back after being picked as a favorite to repeat this season. 

The Rams, who went 21-9 last season and didn't lose any starters, were picked to win the Southern Division, according to the preseason coaches' poll.

Coach Bobby Collins of WSSU, who will begin his seventh season, said he's not afraid of the expectations that are heaped on his deep and experienced team.

"The bigger the target, the bigger the opportunity," Collins said. "I've been to the pinnacle of pressure so we'll just go into this season and prepare and play smart and try to do it again."

The Rams won the CIAA title last season by coming together in the tournament, winning three straight games.

"With my assistant coaches (Tim Wells and James Wilhelmi), we try to make our guys better each and every season — and that's what we'll try to do for this season," Collins said.



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