APSU Sports Information
Brentwood, TN – Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team was tabbed to finish second in the West Division in the 2016-17 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Media Poll, released Friday by the conference office.
Fourteen voters from around the league participated in the media poll, now in its third season.
![Austin Peay Men’s Basketball predicted to come in second in OVC West in Ohio Valley Conference Media Poll. (APSU Sports Information) Austin Peay Men’s Basketball predicted to come in second in OVC West in Ohio Valley Conference Media Poll. (APSU Sports Information)](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/APSU-Mens-Basketball-3-480x322.jpg)
In the men’s voting Belmont picked up nine of the 14 first-place votes in the overall regular season champions category while Murray State (3) and Morehead State (2) received the others. The Bruins also accumulated 12 of a possible 14 first-place votes in being tabbed the favorite in the East Division, a title they have claimed each of the past four years.
Belmont earned 82 total points to finish ahead of Tennessee State who had 64 points and Morehead State who picked up the other two first place votes and netted 62 points. The East Division was rounded out by Eastern Kentucky (35), Tennessee Tech (32) and Jacksonville State (19).
Murray State received all 16 first-place votes (84 total points) to be named the West Division preseason favorites. Defending tournament champion Austin Peay was tabbed second (60 points) and followed by Eastern Illinois (56), UT Martin (45), Southeast Missouri (28) and SIU Edwardsville (21).
2016-17 Media OVC Preseason Men’s Predicted Order of Finish
Overall Champion: Belmont (9 first-place votes)
East Division
1. Belmont (12 first-place votes) – 82 points
2. Tennessee State – 64
3. Morehead State (2) – 62
4. Eastern Kentucky – 35
5. Tennessee Tech – 32
6. Jacksonville State – 19
West Division
1. Murray State (14 first-place votes) – 84 points
2. Austin Peay – 60
3. Eastern Illinois – 56
4. UT Martin – 45
5. Southeast Missouri – 28
6. SIUE – 21
Preseason Player of the Year: Evan Bradds, Belmont