Tuesday, October 1, 2013

GCAC coaches poll projects XU Rush for second-place finish

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana, winner of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championships in men's basketball each of the past two years, is picked to finish second in the league in 2013-14. 

Coach Dannton Jackson's Gold Rush received one first-place vote and 50 points in a poll of the GCAC's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own teams. Philander Smith, which shared the GCAC regular-season title with Xavier last season and won the conference tournament, topped the poll with 63 points and received the other eight first-place votes. 

It's the fourth consecutive year and the sixth time in seven seasons that Xavier finished in the poll's top two. 

The Gold Rush will attempt to become the second GCAC team to win three consecutive regular-season championships. SUNO did it three straight times from 2001-04. 

Xavier will begin its 76th season at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1 against Carver College of Atlanta at the Convocation Center. It will be one of five November home games for the Gold Rush. Also in the opening month will be a 7 p.m. exhibition Nov. 6 at LSU. 

The Gold Rush — 24-8 overall, 11-3 in the GCAC and 24th in the NAIA Division I postseason poll a year ago — are aiming for a fourth consecutive 20-win season, a fourth consecutive berth in the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship and a 14th consecutive winning season, which would extend a school record. 

The NAIA Division I Coaches' Preseason Top 25 will be announced Oct. 29.


Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
Men's Basketball
2013-14 Preseason Coaches Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses)

No.SchoolPoints
1.Philander Smith (8)63
2.Xavier (1)50
3.SUNO43
4.Edward Waters42
5.Voorhees33
6. (tie)Talladega27
6. (tie)Tougaloo27
8.Dillard25
9.Fisk14


Xavier in previous GCAC polls
2012-13 — 1st
2011-12 — 2nd
2010-11 — 1st
2009-10 — 8th
2008-09 — 2nd
2007-08 — 1st
2006-07 — 6th
2004-05 — 3rd
2003-04 — 4th
      2002-03 — 5th
2001-02 — 1st
2000-01 — 2nd
1999-2000 — 3rd
1992-93 — 2nd
1991-92 — 1st
1989-90 — 6th
1988-89 — 4th
1987-88 — 2nd

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  

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