CANTON, Ga. (October 23, 2024) – Returning a foundation of three all-conference performers from a year ago, Sewanee was picked No. 1 in the 2024-25 Southern Athletic Association men’s basketball preseason poll.
 
The Tigers earned 32 points and four first place votes, followed by No. 2 Oglethorpe with 30 points and two first place nods. Four-time defending champion Berry came in No. 3 with 26 points and the last first place vote. Rhodes (22 points) and Centre (16) points rounded out the top-five.
 
Voting was conducted among the SAA’s seven head coaches.
 
2024-25 MBB PRESEASON POLL RESULTS
1. Sewanee - 32 (4)
2. Oglethorpe - 30 (2)
3. Berry - 26 (1)
4. Rhodes - 22
5. Centre - 16
6. Hendrix - 12
7. Millsaps – 9
 
Sewanee is seeking its first SAA championship after tying for third place last season at 12-15 overall and 7-7 in league play. Russ Marr was named first team All-SAA for the second straight season and returns to lead Brian Emerson’s squad. The senior averaged 17.1 points a game in conference last season. Tre Corrigan led the SAA in assists and Luka Avaliani averaged 12.3 points a game to bolster the Tigers attack.
 
Oglethorpe also went 7-7 in the SAA last season and earned the three-seed in the tournament. Perry Robinson is the top returning scorer in the conference after netting more than 18 points to go along with eight rebounds a night, earning first team All-SAA honors last season. Guard Malachi Dooley was 10^th in the conference with 12.2 points a game.  
 
The 2024-25 season tips off on Friday, November 8 with six schools in action. Centre hosts Asbury and Sewanee welcomes Huntington. Four teams open on the road; Oglethorpe against Covenant at Sewanee, Berry at Hanover, Hendrix at Ozarks and Rhodes at WashU. Millsaps hosts Auston on November 10 to start its season.
 
The 2025 SAA Men’s Basketball Tournament opening rounds are slated for Sunday, February 3 on campus sites. Winners will then advance to the semifinals and finals, hosted by top seed Feb. 28 and March 1.
 
Fans can follow the SAA men’s basketball all season long with live links at SAA-sports.com.  
 
SAA Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll History
2023-24 (No. 1 Berry)
2022-23 (No. 1 Berry)
2021-22 (No. 1 Berry)
 
SAA Men’s Basketball Champions
2023-24 - Berry (13-1)
2022-23 – Berry (14-0) 
2021-22 – Berry (11-1)
2020-21 – Berry (11-1)*Covid altered season
2019-20 – Centre (10-3)
2018-19 – Centre (12-2) 
2017-18 – Centre (12-2)
2016-17 – Rhodes (11-3)
2015-16 – Birmingham-Southern (14-0)
2014-15 – Centre/Rhodes (11-3)
2013-14 – Centre (13-1)
2012-13 – Centre/Rhodes (11-3)