Oct. 12, 2006

Raleigh, N.C. - Bethune-Cookman College men's basketball has been selected to finish eighth in the Preseason All-MEAC poll, while women's basketball has been picked to finish 11th in the Preseason poll. Meanwhile, men's basketball senior forward Sam Barber was selected to the Preseason All-MEAC Second Team.

The women's squad for the Wildcats has several new faces in key positions this year, but the Bethune-Cookman coaching staff believes this is the year to turn it around. With the coaches and media disagreeing with the `Cats, it should be a fun one to watch as the `Cats will try for an "upset" bid each and every game. Coppin State picked up 18 first place votes while Delaware State collected one vote, as well as Howard.

The women's top five is placed with Coppin State, Delaware State, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Howard and South Carolina State.

Two-time defending champion Coppin State has been selected to finish atop the polls again, while Rashida Suber is this year's Preseason Player of the Year ... also from Coppin State.

On the men's side of things, after finish last year in a tie for third place in the league, Bethune-Cookman College has been picked to finish eighth this season amongst media and fellow MEAC coaches. Defending regular season champ Delaware State has been picked to repeat as regular season champion, receiving all 14 first place votes. The men's top five gathers Delaware State, Norfolk State, Florida A&M, Coppin State and Hampton together.

Jahsha Bluntt, last year's MEAC Player of the Year, has been picked to repeat as Player of the Year for the Delaware State Hornets. Sam Barber (Palm Beach, Fla.), a swing forward for the Wildcats of B-CC, was picked to the Second Team All-MEAC Preseason Team.

For more information on the Preseason All-MEAC Team and Poll, please log on to www.MEACsports.com, or call the B-CC Office of Sports Information at (386) 481-2206.