AUGUSTA, GA. -- Clayton State University has been picked as the preseason favorite to win the Peach Belt Conference men's basketball title in 2005-06, according to the annual poll of the league's head coaches, released on Thursday, while Francis Marion University was tabbed to finish ninth.

Interestingly, FMU received both one first-place vote and one 11th-place vote. Clayton State received five of a possible 10 first-place votes to finish with 91 total points, ahead of second-place Columbus State University (83). Defending PBC champion USC Upstate (77) was third, followed by Lander University (69), Augusta State University (66), Armstrong Atlantic State University (58), Georgia College & State University (51), newcomer North Georgia College & State University (38), Francis Marion (36), USC Aiken (24), and UNC Pembroke (12).  Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

Francis Marion returns 11 lettermen, including three starters, from last year's 10-17 team. Senior guard Michael Jenkins (averaged 9.9 points and 4.8 assists per game in 2004-05), senior guard Vony Rivers (7.2 ppg, 4.1 rebounds per game), and junior forward Raymond Dorsey (8.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg) lead the returnees. Senior swingman George Walker, a key member of the 2003-04 squad that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, also returns after missing last season with an injury. Senior Reinaldo Charles (8.3 ppg) finished last season strong, scoring in double figures in 10 of the final 12 contests.

The Patriots have a 27-game schedule that includes 14 home contests.  FMU opens its season Nov. 15 at Fayetteville State University.

The Peach Belt will be a new-look league in 2005-06 with the departure of Kennesaw State University and the University of North Florida to the NCAA Division I ranks. The conference welcomes in North Georgia, who is beginning their transition from the NAIA.  The Saints will be eligible for the regular-season conference championship, but will not participate in the PBC Tournament. The league has also done away with divisional play and will feature a 20-game conference schedule leading up to the PBC Tournament, hosted by Lander in March 2006.