CofC picked 2nd In SoCon Southern Division - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

College of Charleston's Andrew Lawrence (London, England) and Trent Wiedeman (Suwanee, Ga.) were both named to the 2012 Preseason All-Southern Conference Team in a vote by the league's head coaches released by the conference office on Thursday. 

The Cougars, who are under the direction of first-year head coach Doug Wojcik, were also picked to finish second in the South Division by both the league's coaches and media behind preseason divisional favorite Davidson. UNCG was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the North Division. 

Lawrence, a 6-foot-1 senior point guard, was selected to the All-SoCon Second Team by the league's media a year ago. He was tabbed an NABC All-District 22 Second Team selection and was an initial candidate for the 2012 Bob Cousy Award, which is given annually to the nation's top point guard. Lawrence averaged 13.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game and was one of two collegians to be selected to an Olympic squad as the youngest member of the Great Britain National Team in the London Olympic Games. Last season, he ranked second in the SoCon and No. 31 nationally in assists per game (5.5 avg) and first in the SoCon and No. 57 nationally in steals per game (1.9 avg). 

Wiedeman, a 6-foot-8 junior forward, garnered a spot on the All-SoCon Team by the league's coaches and the All-SoCon Third Team by the league's media as a sophomore in 2011-12. He averaged 12.1 points and a team-best 8.7 rebounds per game for the Cougars. Wiedeman also ranked second in the league in rebounding, second in double-doubles (8), first in defensive rebounds (6.7 avg.) and fifth in blocked shots (0.9 avg.). 

They were joined on the 10-member team by preseason SoCon Player of the Year De'Mon Brooks of Davidson, Mike Groselle of The Citadel, Nik Cochran of Davidson, Jake Cohen of Davidson, Jack Isenbarger of Elon, Eric Ferguson of Georgia Southern, Trevis Simpson of UNCG and Trey Sumler of Western Carolina. 

Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or student-athletes as part of the balloting. The preseason accolades were announced in conjunction with the league's Basketball Tip-Off event in Asheville, N.C., site of the 2013 Southern Conference Basketball Tournament. 

Tickets for the 2013 Southern Conference Tournament went on sale Thursday and fans can purchase their tickets through the U.S. Cellular Center ticket office or through their Southern Conference institution. As part of Thursday's Tip-Off, the league's head coaches met with local media in the Asheville area, members of the local organizing committee and corporate partners for the event.   

2012-13 PRESEASON SOUTHERN CONFERENCE COACHES POLL

North Division

Team (First Place Votes)                    Total

1. UNCG (7)                                          59

2. Elon (3)                                              55

3. Western Carolina (2)                      52

4. Appalachian State                           36

5. Chattanooga                                    26

6. Samford                                            18

South Division

Team (First Place Votes)                    Total

1. Davidson (11)                                                  65        

2. College of Charleston (1)              54

3. Georgia Southern                           48

4. Wofford                                            32

5. Furman                                              27

6. The Citadel                                                      15

2012-13 PRESEASON SOUTHERN CONFERENCE MEDIA POLL

North Division

Team (First Place Votes)                    Total

1. UNCG (18)                                                       164

2. Western Carolina (9)                      144

3. Elon (3)                                              119

4T. Appalachian State                        72

4T. Samford                                          72

6. Chattanooga                                    59

South Division

Team (First Place Votes)                    Total

1. Davidson (28)                                                  176      

2. College of Charleston                    134

3. Georgia Southern (2)                     120

4. Wofford                                            101

5. Furman                                              62

6. The Citadel                                                      37

2012-13 PRESEASON ALL-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE TEAM

Andrew Lawrence, College of Charleston

Trent Wiedeman, College of Charleston

Mike Groselle, The Citadel

De'Mon Brooks, Davidson

Nik Cochran, Davidson

Jake Cohen, Davidson

Jack Isenbarger, Elon

Eric Ferguson, Georgia Southern

Trevis Simpson, UNCG

Trey Sumler, Western Carolina

2012-13 PRESEASON SOUTHERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

De'Mon Brooks, Davidson