VSU Trojans Ranked 16th in the National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Preseason Rankings

ETTRICK, Virginia – The Virginia State University men's basketball team is ranked 16th in the preseason men's basketball NABC NCAA Division II Ranking released yesterday.

The Virginia State University men's basketball program is coming off the best season in school history with a 26-5 overall record. The Trojans were ranked the number one team in the Atlantic Region, and hosted the 2018 NCAA Atlantic Region Men's Basketball tournament, where they advanced to the Regional Semi-Finals. During the past season at one point the Trojans were 17-1 and ranked eighth in the nation.

This year's 2018-2019 program returns nine players including starters Cyonte Melvin (6-3/Guard/Hampton, Va.) and Walter Williams (6-4/Guard/Richmond, Va.), who have started and played significant minutes since they were freshmen. VSU also returns sharp-shooter Brandon Holley (6-2/Guard/Richmond, Va.), who was injured a large part of the season, junior Andrew Corum (6-7/Forward/Leesburg, Va.), sophomore William Vedder (6-9/Forward/Washington. DC), who came up huge for us in some big games as freshman. Senior Philip Owens (5-11/Combo Guard/Virginia Beach, Va.), sophomore Lual Rahama (6-5/Forward/Khartoum, Sudan), sophomore James Smith (6-1/Guard/South Boston, Va.) will all be key players. The Trojans also return two players who sat out the past year senior Jalen Jackson (6-2/Combo Guard/Cleveland, OH) and senior Tony Richardson (6-9/Center/Sterling, Va.).

We also have an outstanding recruiting class coming in the 2018-19 season that includes Kevin Holmes (6-9/Forward/Virginia Beach, Va.) a transfer from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Azariah Sykes (6-8/Forward/Richmond, Va.) a transfer from Morgan State University, Cedric Wiggins (6-0/Guard/Richmond, Va.) a transfer from North Carolina Central, and Armond Griebe (6-7/Forward/Woodbridge, Va.) a transfer from the University of Mount Olive. Also added to the roster is freshman Dallas Wilson (6-7/Forward/Portsmouth, Va.) and All-State, 3A Player of the Year (Antwan Miles (6-0/guard/Hampton, Va.) who has a chance of having a tremendous career here at Virginia State University.

NABC/ Division II Rankings
Oct. 30, 2018 (Pre-Season Poll)

Rank School Record Pts Previous
1 Bellarmine, Ky. (14) 29-3 398 4
2 West Liberty, W.Va. (1) 26-4 364 12
3 Lincoln Memorial, Tenn. 32-2 347 1
4 West Texas A&M 32-4 332 11
5 Northwest Missouri State (1) 27-4 277 5
6 Saint Anselm, N.H. 22-9 272 NR
7 Queens, N.C. 32-4 259 7
8 Indiana, Pa. 22-8 231 NR
9 Cal Poly Pomona 23-7 225 25
10 Southern Nazarene, Okla. 27-3 207 8
11 Valdosta State, Ga. 26-5 196 15
12 West Florida 28-4 195 9
13 Ferris State, Mich. 38-1 183 2
14 Western Washington 21-8 182 NR
15 East Stroudsburg, Pa. 27-6 162 NR
16 Virginia State 25-5 148 17
17 Morehouse, Ga. 25-3 138 10
18 St. Cloud State, Minn. 24-9 113 NR
19 Regis, Colo. 27-6 110 22
20 Southwest Minnesota State 25-9 93 NR
21 Dallas Baptist, Texas 26-6 92 16
22 Florida Southern 21-11 81 NR
23 Findlay, Ohio 28-5 75 13
24 UC San Diego 21-11 63 NR
25 Missouri Southern 20-10 58 NR

Others receiving votes: Clayton State (Ga.) 40, Fairmont State (W.Va.) 38, UNC Pembroke 35, Point Loma (Calif.) 34, Saint Martin's (Wash.) 32, Northern State (S.D.) 27, Nova Southeastern (Fla.) 19, Barry (Fla.) 18, Minnesota State 18, Texas A&M-Commerce 17, Drury (Mo.) 13, Shaw (N.C.) 13, Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 12, Dominican (N.Y.) 12, Ashland (Ohio) 11, Lees-McRae (N.C.) 13, Tarleton State (Texas) 10, Claflin (S.C.) 9, Daemen (N.Y.) 8, Fort Lewis (Colo.) 4, Merrimack (Mass.) 4, Chico State (Calif.) 3, King (Tenn.) 3, Clark Atlanta (Ga.) 2, Stanislaus State (Calif.) 2, Colorado School of Mines 1, Dixie State (Utah) 1.

Records are final from 2017-18 season. Last ranking was from the final 2017-18 poll.

The Virginia State University Men's Basketball team rounds out exhibition play Friday, Nov. 2 as they travel to face the Spartans of Norfolk State University in Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall. The contest is set for a 7 p.m. tipoff.

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

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY TROJANS SPORTS INFORMATION