MELBOURNE, Fla.– Barry University was picked fifth in the Sunshine State Conference women’s basketball pre-season poll, receiving 31 points.
The SSC women’s basketball coaches selected Tampa as the 2014 – 2015 preseason favorite. The Spartans received 60 total votes and four of nine first place votes. At 14-2 in SSC play, Tampa won the 2013 - 2014 conference regular-season title and was runner-up in the postseason tournament.
One vote separates Tampa with Nova Southeastern, the 2014 SSC tournament champions. The Sharks received 59 votes and four first place votes. Rollins College Tars are third in the poll with 52 votes and the final first place vote. Florida Tech was picked fourth with 38 points.
The Buccaneers, who were 16-11 last season and 8-8 in the SSC, were picked to finish this year in the same spot they had last season. Bill Sullivan will have to replace three starters, including 2014 SSC Player of the Year Tyler Hardy. The Bucs also lost guard Colette Eule and center Danika Pisconeri. One returner who should help ease the transition is forward Kaylia Richardson. Named to the SSC All-Newcomer team, Richardson averaged 10.7 points per game, 5.3 rebounds and shot 55.8 percent from the field. Jackie Perez, who missed last season after being injured in camp, chipped in 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 32.0 percent from three-point range as a sophomore in 2012-13.
The Bucs open the season with an exhibition game at FIU on Nov. 7 at 6:00 pm, then play in the NSU Tip-off Classic Nov. 14-15 against Shorter and Alabama-Huntsville.
2014 - 15 SSC WOMENS BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Rank | School (FPV) | Total Points |
1 | Tampa (4) | 60 |
2 | Nova Southeastern (4) | 59 |
3 | Rollins (1) | 52 |
4 | Florida Tech | 38 |
5 | Barry | 31 |
6 | Lynn | 29 |
7 | Eckerd | 27 |
8 | Saint Leo | 16 |
9 | Florida Southern | 12 |