ATLANTA - The Piedmont men's basketball team was selected fifth overall in the Collegiate Conference of the South Preseason Coaches Poll announced Thursday. 

The Lions finished in third in the league last season with a 6-6 record, along with LaGrange and Huntingdon, who also finished at .500 in league play. 

Piedmont won in the opening round of postseason play in the CCS against Berea at home in a 90-86 victory before falling to Belhaven in the semifinals on the road at Maryville. 

Maryville is projected to claim the title again, coming off back-to-back championships, taking six of the available seven first-place votes and 36 points. Coming in close behind was Belhaven with 30 total points, while LaGrange took the remaining first-place vote with 26 points. 

Huntingdon claimed fourth with 20 points, while Piedmont was in fifth with 16. Rounding out the poll was newcomer Asbury in sixth with 12 points and Covenant in seventh with seven. 

This year, Piedmont returns Fisher Darden, a second-team All-CCS selection from 2023-24, and Javi Marlowe will look to make his return to the court. 

Piedmont is set to begin the season at home against Johnson and Wales on Saturday, November 16 at 2 p.m.

Conference play begins in the new year with Piedmont facing Asbury on Saturday, January 4 at 4 p.m. at home. 

The 2024 CCS Men's Basketball Championship Tournament starts with the Top 6 teams on Tuesday, February 25, and the championship game is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, hosted by the highest-seeded team.

2024-25 CCS Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

1.    Maryville - 36 points (6)  2.    Belhaven - 30 points 3.    LaGrange - 26 points (1)  4.    Huntingdon - 20 points  5.    Piedmont – 16 points  6.    Asbury - 12 points  7.    Covenant - 7 points