FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s basketball team was voted to finish fifth in the Peach Belt Conference, according to league coaches Nov. 2.

The Falcons, who are ranked No. 17 in The Basketball Times’ preseason NCAA Division II poll, were predicted to finish in sixth place in last season’s preseason vote. Despite being selected sixth last season and seventh the season before, the Falcons have gone on to finish third in the league the past two years.

Montevallo returns four players off last season’s squad, which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and welcomes in 10 new faces.

Georgia Southwestern State was picked to finish first in the league, followed by UNC-Pembroke. Augusta State and Clayton State were picked to tie for third, while Montevallo rounded out the top five.

Montevallo opens the season Nov. 11-12 at the Peach Belt Conference-South Atlantic Conference Challenge in Dahlonega, Ga., where they will battle Mars Hill and Brevard.