WINTER PARK, Fla. -- Barry University men's basketball team was picked to finish eighth in the Sunshine State Conference preseason poll.
The Buccaneers, who finished 12-17 overall, 6-10 in league play a year ago, earned 68 points in the league-wide poll as selected by coaching and media relations staff members. Saint Leo was chosen to win the league title this year. Teams could not vote for themselves.
The Lions received 10 of a possible 18 first-place votes. Florida Southern was second, collecting six first-place votes and finishing with 172 points, eight behind the Lions. Eckerd and Rollins each finished with one first-place vote, and finished third and fourth, respectively, in the presason poll.
Barry brings in five new players, including Division I transfer Aaron Martin, and Division II transfer Filip Toric, both who possess considerable experience. The Bucs, under the direction of acting head coach Orlando Gonzalez, a former Buccaneer assistant and interim coach, also expect to get second-semester contributions from Magne Fivelstad, a sophomore from Bergen, Norway, who has yet to suit up in a Buccaneers uniform.
The Bucs will hold an exhibition 7:30 p.m. next Thursday (Oct. 25) against the Chile National Team at Health & Sports Center on Barry's campus in Miami Shores.
Barry's Moonlight Madness event is set for the following 10 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 1) at HSC.
Barry opens the regular season at home 2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 10 against city rival Johnson & Wales.
2012-13 SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
Rank - Team, Points (1st Place Votes)
1 - Saint Leo, 180 (10)
2 - Florida Southern, 172 (6)
3 - Eckerd, 143 (1)
4 - Rollins, 137 (1)
5 - Nova Southeastern, 75
6 - Florida Tech, 74
7 - Lynn, 71
8 - Barry, 68
9 - Tampa, 52