SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Elon junior guard Drew Spradlin was selected as one of the 10 Preseason All-Southern Conference Team members by the league’s coaches in balloting announced on Thursday. Spradlin was one of only two North Division players selected to the preseason squad. As a team, the Phoenix was picked to finish fifth in the SoCon’s North Division.

Spradlin led Elon in scoring during his sophomore campaign, averaging 13.3 points per outing. He also ranked second on the squad with 4.6 rebounds per contest. A year ago, Spradlin netted 20 or more points on seven occasions, including a career-best 30-point performance in a win over defending Southern Conference Tournament champion Chattanooga on Jan. 23. Spradlin would finish the season with 20 double-digit scoring games. Playing in his native state of Ohio, Spradlin lit up the Ohio Bobcats for 20 points and 10 rebounds, his first-career double-double.

In the team rankings, Elon was projected to finish in fifth place among the six teams in the SoCon’s North Division. Appalachian State received nine of the 12 first-place votes and was selected as the preseason favorite in the North. Western Carolina earned the other three first-place nods and was slotted second ahead of Chattanooga, UNC Greensboro, Elon and Samford.

In the South Division, defending league champion Wofford collected 10 first-place votes and is expected to repeat as the division winner. College of Charleston, Davidson, The Citadel, Furman and Georgia Southern round out the rest of the South.

Elon opens up its 2010-11 campaign on Monday evening when the Phoenix welcomes in Greensboro College for a 7 p.m. exhibition contest in the newly renovated Alumni Gym.

2010-11 Preseason All-Southern Conference Team
Jake Cohen, Davidson
Noah Dahlman, Wofford
Jamar Diggs, Wofford
Andrew Goudelock, College of Charleston*
JP Kuhlman, Davidson
Amu Saaka, Furman
Jeremy Simmons, College of Charleston
Donald Sims, Appalachian State
#Drew Spradlin#, Elon
Cameron Wells, The Citadel

* Preseason Player of the Year