USI men picked to finish ninth in OVC

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) – Hours before the Ohio Valley Conference basketball media day was held in downtown Evansville, the conference released their preseason poll. It had the University of Southern Indiana men predicted to finish ninth in the conference, but also with two first place votes.

The Screaming Eagles said they are still a work in progress as the team continues to try and gel with 12 new players on the roster. Head coach, Stan Gouard said he wants his team to play every second with toughness. He said come December and when conference play begins he expects his team to be playing up to par with the level he envisions they’re capable of playing. Right now, he’s using the ninth place selection as a motivator.

“It’s great bulletin board material,” Gouard said. “In fact our guys in practice yesterday, it wasn’t supposed to be released but you know we had a couple bad moments in practice and I told them they were picked ninth. You know if that doesn’t motivate you, you’re in the wrong place.”

University of California, Berkley transfer, Devin Curtis was at media day with Coach Gouard. He said the ranking will make the team play with an even bigger chip on their shoulder.

Curtis said, “There’s a rude awakening i would say. You’re choosing us to be ninth, but there’s two people out there that did bet on us. I know the incoming class is new and different and nobody really knows what’s being started at USI, but we have something brewing.”

Southern Indiana men tip off their season against a tough in-state opponent in Butler on Wednesday, November 5th in Indianapolis.

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