Lincoln Memorial's Railsplitters are the top choice this preseason, as voted by the league's head coaches. Securing an impressive 11 first-place votes and a total of 143 points in the poll, they are clearly setting the bar high.

In the 2022-23 season, Lincoln Memorial had a standout performance, finishing with a remarkable overall record of 30-5. Not only did they clinch the South Atlantic Conference regular season title once again, but they also emerged victorious in the Southeast Regional competition. Their journey didn't stop there—they made it all the way to the Elite Eight, breaking the 30-win milestone under the leadership of Jeremiah Samarrippas in his second season as head coach.

2023-24 SAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll

Rank School (First Place Votes) Points

1 Lincoln Memorial (11) 143

2 Catawba (2) 134

3 Newberry 107

4 Wingate 105

5 Tusculum 98

6 Carson-Newman 89

7 Anderson 76

8 Lenoir-Rhyne 55

9 Emory & Henry 53

10 Limestone 47

11 UVA Wise 45

12 Coker 34

13 Mars Hill 28

2023-24 South Atlantic Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference 

First Team

Gabe Brown, Emory & Henry

Me'Kell Burries, Lincoln Memorial

Kory Davis, Mars Hill

DeAngelo Epps, Catawba

Javeon Jones, Catawba

Chase Rankin, Lincoln Memorial

Second Team

Mahmoud Bangura, Coker

Martez Brown, Lincoln Memorial

Garrett Denbow, Anderson

Connor Jordan, Tusculum

Donell Nixon II, Wingate

Jordan Walters, Lincoln Memorial

Third Team

Nick Brenegan, Carson-Newman

Kendall Davis, Mars Hill

Kadyn Dawkins, Mars Hill

Peyton Gerald, Catawba

Jake Moynihan, Emory & Henry

Matthew Sells, Lincoln Memorial