GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Conference Carolinas office announced their annual men's basketball coaches poll on Thursday afternoon, Converse University was picked to finish 12
th this season.
Converse is coming off a 12-15 season where the Valkyries missed the postseason for just the second time in program history. The Valkyries tallied 95 points in the poll this season, finishing ahead of Ferrum, Lees-McRae, Shorter and Erskine.
UNC Pembroke was slated to win the conference with 219 total points and nine first place votes in this year's poll. Chowan was picked to finish second with 201 total points and four first place votes. Young Harris is third in the poll with 197 total points and three first place votes.
This is the second straight year that
Camden Edmonds has been named to the Conference Carolinas Preseason Players to Watch List. Edmonds started 20 games last season, averaging 10.6 points per game, tallying 90 total rebounds, 29 assists and 21 steals.
This is the first time
Tre Locklear has been named to the Preseason Players to Watch List. Last season, Locklear made 22 starts, averaged 33.8 minutes per game, averaged 11.6 points per game, tallied 61 rebounds, 86 assists and 28 steals.
Ayden Hickman is in his first season at Converse, he transferred from Limestone at the end of last season. Hickman played in 85 career games for Limestone, tallying 1,922 minutes, 566 points, 158 rebounds, 120 assists, 76 steals and 26 blocks.
2026-2027 Conference Carolinas Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
Rank School Total (First Place Votes)
- UNC Pembroke 219 (9)
- Chowan 201 (4)
- Young Harris 197 (3)
- Emmanuel 172
- North Greenville 158
- Barton 150
- Francis Marion 129
- Mount Olive 115
- Southern Wesleyan 103
- Belmont Abbey 102
- King 99
- Converse 95
- Ferrum 61
- Lees-McRae 53
- Shorter 51
- Erskine 15
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