Busting Brackets
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SWAC Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

By Bryan Mauro

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 22: Chase Cormier
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 22: Chase Cormier /
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DAYTON, OH – MARCH 14: Derrick Bruce #2 of the Texas Southern Tigers drives the ball towards the hoop during the game against the North Carolina Central Eagles at UD Arena on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derrick Bruce
DAYTON, OH – MARCH 14: Derrick Bruce #2 of the Texas Southern Tigers drives the ball towards the hoop during the game against the North Carolina Central Eagles at UD Arena on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derrick Bruce /

4. Texas Southern Tigers

Texas Southern is another program in the SWAC that are welcoming a new coach this season. Their previous coach Mike Davis was able to build a powerhouse in the conference. The Tigers made the NCAA tournament four out of the last five years, and two seasons ago they were able to win 23 games which was a school record. Davis led teams had one losing record in his tenure and that was a season ago. That season still ended in an NCAA tournament game.

The loss of coach Davis, who took the job at Detroit Mercy, saw the Tigers best player leave the program due to a transfer. Demontrae Jefferson and his 23 points per game may not hurt the Tigers all that much this year. New head man, former LSU head coach Johnny Jones was able to secure two grad transfers from LSU and has kept the pipeline of transfers coming through Texas Southern.

Senior big man Trayvon Reed is the tallest player in the league, he is a former Auburn Tiger and this year the team is going to be his. Reed almost averaged a double-double last year, and this, as he is going to be the go-to option for the Tigers, should see his production on the offensive end increase. On the defensive end he is going to protect the rim and haul in rebounds. A high double-double is not out of the question. Texas Southern does not have as much depth as the three teams in front of them, but it would surprise no one if they made their way to the top of the conference and stayed there.