It’s Georgia Tech Again in SELC-I
ATLANTA -- After back-to-back runs to the national semifinals, Georgia Tech has been installed as the favorite to win the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference Division I title again, according to the league's preseason coaches poll.
The Yellow Jackets (16-2) were comfortably in first place in the poll, 24 points clear of second place Virginia Tech (15-5) and 31 ahead of third place Liberty (8-7).
"The SELC has made great strides in the past few years and we hope to continue our rise on the national scene," said Georgia Tech coach Ken Lovic. "Virginia Tech and Liberty have been huge rivals during the conference tournament the last few years, but programs like Florida State, Florida, Georgia and NC State are emerging as contenders.
"We bring back a very young team with only three seniors, but we will lean on our large rookie class to contribute and buy into our system early against some quality opponents. We expect nothing but the best from everyone in the SELC and MCLA."
Georgia Tech was also chosen as the favorite in the SELC Southwest division (poll below). Virginia Tech was tabbed the favorite in the Northwest, Clemson (13-2) was the pick in the Northeast while Florida State (13-4) got the nod in the Southeast.
Similarly, in the championship game prediction poll (also below), the Ramblin' Wreck was overwhelmingly expected to participate in the SELC championship game yet again.
SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference Division I Preseason Coaches Poll
Rank | Team | Points |
1. | Georgia Tech | 19 |
2. | Virginia Tech | 43 |
3. | Liberty | 50 |
4. | Florida State | 59 |
5. | Clemson | 103 |
6. | Florida | 112 |
7. | Georgia | 116 |
8. | South Carolina | 119 |
9. | NC State | 125 |
10. | Auburn | 139 |
11. | Central Florida | 158 |
12. | Alabama | 185 |
13. | Elon | 205 |
14. | George Washington | 224 |
15. | Vanderbilt | 235 |
16. | Mississippi | 245 |
17. | Tennessee | 248 |
18. | South Florida | 256 |
19. | Miami | 258 |
20. | East Carolina | 277 |
21. | West Virginia | 303 |
SELC Division I Regional Preseason Polls
Rank | Northeast Division | Points |
1. | Clemson | 22 |
2. | NC State | 33 |
3. | South Carolina | 36 |
4. | Elon | 60 |
5. | East Carolina | 74 |
Rank | Northwest Division | Points |
1. | Virginia Tech | 20 |
2. | Liberty | 26 |
3. | Tennessee | 54 |
4. | George Washington | 56 |
5. | West Virginia | 69 |
Rank | Southeast Division | Points |
1. | Florida State | 19 |
2. | Florida | 32 |
3. | Central Florida | 42 |
4. | Miami | 64 |
5. | South Florida | 68 |
Rank | Southwest Division | Points |
1. | Georgia Tech | 18 |
2. | Georgia | 36 |
3. | Auburn | 43 |
4. | Alabama | 58 |
5. | Mississippi | 78 |
6. | Vanderbilt | 81 |
Championship Game Prediction Poll
Team | Win | Runner up |
Georgia Tech | 9 | 5 |
Virginia Tech | 2 | 3 |
Florida State | 2 | 2 |
Liberty | 1 | 5 |
Florida | 1 |