The College of Charleston and Western Carolina were picked to win their respective divisions and College of Charleston junior guard Andrew Goudelock was named preseason player of the year in a vote by Southern Conference head coaches announced Thursday.

Charleston received eight first-place votes to lead the way in the South Division. Wofford, with three first-place votes, was second and perennial SoCon power Davidson was third in the voting and received one first-place vote. The Citadel was fourth, followed by Furman and Georgia Southern.

Western Carolina, which returns all five starters from a team that tied for the North Division championship last season, received 10 of the 12 first-place votes. Appalachian State was second and received two first-place votes.

Charleston, Wofford, Western Carolina each placed two players on the pre-season all-conference team.

Goudelock, who averaged 16.7 points last season, was joined by teammate Tony White Jr., a senior who averaged 12.0 points a year ago. The Citadel's Cameron Wells, a junior who averaged 15.6 points and 4.9 rebounds last season, also was selected to the 10-man team.

Charleston coach Bobby Cremins said the good part of preseason rankings is that "it generates interest," but said the predictions mean more to fans than players and coaches.

Goudelock said player of the year votes don't mean anything until the end of the season.

"I talked to my dad and my mom about it, but they were less enthusiastic about it than I was," Goudelock said of the honor. "I came back to earth. It's a humbling experience. But for me to focus on the team and winning will help out more than anything."

Both Charleston and The Citadel open their seasons Nov. 13, with the Cougars traveling to Coastal Carolina while The Citadel plays host to Kenyon College.

Preseason All-Conference

Will Archambault, Davidson

Kellen Brand, Appalachian State

Noah Dahlman, Wofford

Brandon Giles, Western Carolina

Andrew Goudelock, College of Charleston

Harouna Mutombo, Western Carolina

Willie Powers, Georgia Southern

Junior Salters, Wofford

Cameron Wells, The Citadel

Tony White Jr., College of Charleston

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