SWAC Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – NOVEMBER 27: Justin Jenifer #3 of the Cincinnati Bearcats defends against Terrance LeFlore #30 of the Alabama State Hornets in the second half of a game at BB&T Arena on November 27, 2017 in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Cincinnati won 83-51. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

8. Alabama State Hornets

The Hornets much like their two counterparts behind them finished with less than 10 wins. They were another team in the SWAC to not win a single game in the non-conference. During the conference season a year ago, the Hornets were only two games under .500 finishing at 8-10. The Hornets fall in the eighth spot of these rankings strictly based on the overall talent of their roster.

Every team ahead of the Hornets in the rankings have a much better supporting cast around their stars. The Hornets however win almost all their games on the shoulders of their star. Their star player is junior guard Reginald Gee. Gee is one of the best overall players in the conference but must do everything for his team to win mostly every night.

Long time coach Lewis Jackson has been successful at Alabama State and he may be again. For this year to be considered a success the Hornets are going to need to have well defined roles behind Gee. If the senior guard could get a little bit of help it would go a long way. Gee averaged over 15 points per game last season and Hornet fans should expect more of that. The 3-8 spots in this conference are all very close to talent wise to each other. With these spots being up for grabs any player the caliber of Gee is the difference between winning and losing. Gee could move the Hornets up to the middle tier of this conference by himself.