Davidson Hoops Picked Third; Gibbs, Sullivan Preseason All-Conference

Courtesy: Davidson Athletics

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – After capturing the regular season crown in its first year, Davidson was picked third in the 2015-16 Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll, while the backcourt duo of Jack Gibbs (1st Team) and Brian Sullivan (2nd Team) were named preseason all-conference, as announced Tuesday at the league’s annual Media Day inside the Barclay’s Center.

In addition to the preseason poll / teams being announced, Davidson head coach Bob McKillop spent the morning meeting with both print and electronic media before concluding the event with a luncheon.

Dayton, which received 12 first-place votes and 352 total points, was tabbed preseason favorites by the league’s head coaches and media. Rhode Island is predicted to finish second ahead of the Wildcats, who collected six first-place votes of their own, while George Washington and last year’s tournament champion VCU rounded out the top five.

 Gibbs, who averaged 16.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 2014-15 to earn all-league honors, was joined on the preseason first team by four other juniors – Jordan Price (La Salle), Hassan Martin (Rhode Island), E.C. Matthews (Rhode Island) and DeAndre’ Bembry (Saint Joseph’s).
Like Gibbs, Sullivan earned a spot on the all-conference second team a year ago after contributing 12.7 points and 3.9 assists per outing, while drilling 83 3-pointers. Along with Sullivan, the preseason second team consisted of five seniors – Shevon Thompson (George Mason), Patricio Garino (George Washington), Kevin Larsen (George Washington) and Marcus Posley (St. Bonaventure).

Davidson returns four starters from last year’s team that finished 24-8 overall and 14-4 in the Atlantic 10 before receiving its first-ever at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament.
 

2015-16 Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll

1) Dayton (12) – 352 Total Points
2) Rhode Island (8) – 347
3) Davidson (6) – 329
4) George Washington (1) – 285
5) VCU – 277
6) Richmond – 262
7) Saint Joseph’s – 194
8) St. Bonaventure – 177
9) La Salle – 164
10) Massachusetts – 142
11) Duquesne – 113
12) Saint Louis – 96
13) George Mason – 52
14) Fordham – 45

Number in parenthesis indicates first-place votes

2015-16 Preseason All-Conference Teams

First Team
Jack Gibbs, Davidson
Jordan Price, La Salle
Hassan Martin, Rhode Island
E.C. Matthews, Rhode Island
DeAndre’ Bembry, Rhode Island
 

Second Team
Brian Sullivan, Davidson
Shevon Thompson, George Mason
Patricio Garino, George Washington
KevinLarsen, George Washington
Marcus Posley, St. Bonaventure
 

Third Team
Kendall Pollard, Dayton
TerryAllen, Richmond
ShawnDre’ Jones, Richmond
Melvin Johnson, VCU
Mo Alie-Cox
 

All-Defensive Team

Mandell Thomas, Fordham
Patricio Garino, George Washington
Hassan Martin, Rhode Island
DeAndre Bembry, Saint Joseph’s
Mo Alie-Cox, VCU
 
Davidson will host Lenoir-Rhyne in a 7 p.m. exhibition contest on Nov. 7 at John M. Belk Arena before opening its regular season a week later against UCF.