Montgomery, AL. – The Southern States Athletic Conference announced the men's and women's basketball pre-season ranks on Friday with the Dalton State men's team receiving plenty of respect in the first year of poll eligibility

Not so fast!

Dalton State Coach Tony Ingle says he has a better idea why a team that has yet to play it's first counting conference game can be ranked number two so early.

"This is ridiculous and a total setup," said Ingle. "I refuse to believe it until I actually see the ballots. No sport, college or professional, has ever been ranked so high in a new conference. This ranking is unfair to our team and college."

The Roadrunners, 26-4 in the inaugural season of four-year competition, were ranked second behind the defending SSAC regular season and tournament champions from William Carey University of Hattiesburg, MS. Dalton State actually received three first place votes to William Carey's seven. 

The Crusaders were 18-0 in the SSAC last season and 28-3 overall. They ended their season in the second round of the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Kansas City. Georgetown (KY) defeated William Carey 98-90.

The team that William Carey defeated in the SSAC Tournament was Emmanuel College (GA). The Lions went on to finish second in the NAIA National Tournament. They have since moved to NCAA Divisioin II.
 
SSAC Men's Preseason Rankings
William Carey (7)         128
Dalton State (3)           123
Martin Methodist          111
Bethel (1)                     102
Faulkner                        92
Mobile, U of                   78
Loyola (1)                      73
Coastal Georgia            72
Auburn Montgomery     52
Belhaven                      47
Blue Mountain              33
Brewton-Parker            25 
 
SSAC Women's Preseason Rankings
Loyola (6)                      125
Bethel (5)                      123
Mobile, U of                  106
Martin Methodist            90
Faulkner                         88
Auburn Montgomery      83
Coastal Georgia             65
Belhaven                        53
William Carey                41
Brenau                          40
Blue Mountain              32
Brewton-Parker            12
 
The Dalton State men begin their season Monday night, November 10^th at Life University in Marietta. The Roadrunners home opener will be against Erskine College on Tuesday, November 11^th at Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center. Both games tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET.  

For those of us who can't wait to see some basketball, don't forget the blue and silver scrimmage on Wednesday (October 29) at the Trade Center. A booster club gathering begins at 6, followed by the scrimmage at 7 p.m. There is NO Admission Charge to the game.