VSU Trojan Men's Basketball Predicted to Finish First in CIAA Preseason Rankings

ETTRICK, Virginia -- The Virginia State University men's basketball team was picked as the top team in the CIAA as the league announced its preseason predictions and All-CIAA teams ahead of Thursday's CIAA Basketball Media Day. The Trojans finished the 2016-17 season with a 22-8 overall and 13-3 conference record.

Alongside being predicted to finish in the number one spot by the league's coaches, the Trojans had two players, senior Richard Granberry (Chester, PA) and junior Walter Williams (Richmond, Va.), to earn preseason honors.

Granberry finished last season averaging 14.8 points per game and shot 60% from the free throw line and 58% from the field. During the 16-17 campaign, he secured 121 total rebounds, ranking him 3rd in the conference. Granberry led the team in points (415), field goals (167-of-288), free throws (81-of-135), rebounds (213), and blocked shots (20).

Junior Walter Williams finished last season averaging 8.3 points per game alongside shooting 40.9% from the field, 31.2 % from the 3-point line, and 75.8% from the free throw line.

VSU will start the 2107-18 campaign on Nov. 4, as they travel to take on Norfolk State University for a Division 1 exhibition matchup. Tip-off for the VSU v. NSU game is slated for 6pm at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall on the campus of NSU.

For the most up-to-date information on VSU men's basketball please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.

CIAA Men's Predicted Order of Finish
1. Virginia State
2. Bowie State
3. Virginia Union
4. Winston-Salem State
5. Shaw
6. Fayetteville State
7. Johnson C. Smith
8. Livingstone
9. St. Augustine's
10. Chowan
11. Lincoln
12. Elizabeth City State

CIAA Southern Division Preseason Order of Finish
1. Winston-Salem State
2. Shaw
3. Fayetteville State
4. Johnson C. Smith
5. St. Augustine's
6. Livingstone

CIAA Norther Division Preseason Order of Finis
2. Bowie State
3. Virginia Union
4. Chowan
5. Lincoln
6. Elizabeth City State

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS