Coming off a 21-13, Southern Conference North Division title-winning season, the Elon University men’s basketball team was selected as the league’s preseason favorite in both the Media and Coaches Preseason Polls. Elon edged out defending champion Davidson College by six points in the coaches poll and two points in the media’s.
The Phoenix returns all five starters from last season’s squad. Senior guard Jack Isenbarger and senior forwards Lucas Troutman and Ryley Beaumont were all named to the All-Conference Preseason team as well. No other school had more than two honorees.
The first chance to catch a glimpse of head coach Matt Matheny’s team will be Friday, Oct. 18, inside Alumni Gym, when both the men’s and women’s basketball teams host “Late Night with the Phoenix” at 8 p.m., a series of maroon and gold scrimmages and other fun activities. The Phoenix hosts Lynchburg College in an exhibition game on Monday, Nov. 4, while opening night is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. vs. Washington & Lee.
SoCon Preseason Media Poll
(First Place Votes in parentheses, followed by total)
- Elon (14) – 270
- Davidson (12) – 268
- Western Carolina – 233
- Samford – 176
- Wofford – 165
- Appalachian State – 164
- Chattanooga – 161
- UNC-Greensboro – 98
- Furman – 69
- Georgia Southern – 66
- The Citadel – 46
(First Place Votes in parentheses, followed by total)
- Elon (7) – 96
- Davidson (3) – 90
- Western Carolina (1) – 82
- Appalachian State, Samford – 67
- Wofford – 57
- Chattanooga – 50
- UNC-Greensboro – 32
- Georgia Southern – 30
- Furman – 20
- The Citadel – 14
- Ryley Beaumont, Senior, Elon
- De’Mon Brooks, Senior, Davidson
- Jay Canty, Junior, Appalachian State
- Karl Cochran, Junior, Wofford
- Jack Isenbarger, Senior, Elon
- Raijon Kelly, Sophomore, Samford
- Z. Mason, Senior, Chattanooga
- Trey Sumler, Senior, Western Carolina
- Lucas Troutman, Senior, Elon
- Tim Williams, Sophomore, Samford
De’Mon Brooks, Senior, Davidson