1. Clayton State--Despite losing four starters from last year's 18-13 team, fifth year head coach Gordon Gibbons has reason to believe this year's edition of the Lakers can win their second Peach Belt Conference regular season title during his tenure. Clayton State brings back just one starter in Michael Sloan, who enters his sophomore season. But seven-footer Aristide Sawadogo returns in hopes of making a tremendous impact at center, while the Lakers also will depend on five junior college transfers, including NJCAA All-American Todd McLaurin, as well as two NCAA Division I transfers. Whether the influx of transplants will be enough to finally put Clayton State in the NCAA tournament this season, though, remains to be seen.
2. Columbus State--The Cougars won the Peach Belt Conference tournament title with a 23-9 record, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. If Head Coach Herbert Greene and the CSU men hope to make another trip to the postseason, they must replace six seniors, including PBC leading scorer Yandel Brown. But the Cougars do have a strong frontcourt with Nathan Patterson and Will Davis both returning for their senior seasons. Six new transfers, including Antoine Ransom from Troy University and Justin Wilson from Kishwaukee Community College are also expected to make an immediate impact.
3. USC Upstate--The Spartans hope to repeat a 24-8 campaign which saw them reach the second round of the NCAA tournament last season. But with four players gone due to graduation, including C.J. Paul and Charleston Long, Upstate has a lot of big shoes. But the Spartans do return Jay Free and Luke Payne to provide some firepower from long distance.
4. Lander--The Bearcats lose only one senior from last season's 17-11 squad. All-PBC guard Jarred Jackson will provide quality minutes for second year head coach Bruce Evans. Jackson averaged 14 points a game last season.
5. Augusta State--The Jaguars welcome back two starters and six lettermen from a team that posted a 19-11 mark last year. Karim Telfer and Tyrekus "A.J." Bowman are the lone returning starters returning for Augusta this year.
6. Armstrong Atlantic State--The Pirates must replace three starters from a team that 15-14 last season, including a win over Francis Marion in the first round of the PBC tournament.
7. Georgia College & State University--The Bobcats were one of the most improved teams in the PBC last season, finishing 13-15 overall. If GC&SU has any chance of moving up in the conference standings this season, seniors Ronnie Dennis, Bryan Harrison, Jeremy Mayweather, and Andre Smith must provide leadership both on and off the court.
8. North Georgia--The Saints had their best showing in nine years, finishing the 2004-05 season at 23-10 in their final season as an NAIA member. But North Georgia faces a new challenge in 2005-06, as the Saints begin their first season in the NCAA Division II ranks, as well as the Peach Belt Conference.
9. Francis Marion--With 11 returning lettermen, the Patriots hope to improve upon last year's 11-17 mark. The team's title hopes will rest on the contributions of senior guards Michael Jenkins and Vony Rivers, as well as junior forward Raymond Dorsey.
10. USC Aiken--Vince Alexander comes to USCA from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania in hopes of digging the Pacers program out of its most recent doldrums. Alexander will have his work cut out for him, as the USCA men return eight letterwinners from a squad that posted a dismal 7-21 record last season.
11. UNC Pembroke--After struggling to a 3-25 overall, and 1-15 mark in PBC action last season, there's only one way for the Braves to go this season, and that's up. The early season schedule isn't so kind to the UNCP men, as they play their first five games on the road.
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