Jan. 29th, 2001 - 2001 SELC Preseason Profile
2001 SELC Preseason Profileby Buff Grubb
The 14th season of competition will usher in some significant changes for the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC). Most notable is the establishment of a Division I/ Division II structure. Both division championships will be determined during the SELC Championships at the end of April, 2001. Additionally, the SELC continues to expand geographically, welcoming the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Gators of the University of Florida as members for the 2001 season.
In DI, the two-time defending champion University of Tennessee Volunteers were tabbed to repeat in the league preseason poll. Tennessee edged Virginia Tech by a mere 4 points (271-267) in the poll so the pick is by no means a lock. Tennessee and Virginia Tech both return the majority of their nationally ranked teams and talented freshmen classes have bolstered both programs. The same can be said of #3 selection Auburn and #4 Emory as well as #5 Georgia. Vanderbilt, Clemson, Florida State, and Georgia Tech all plan to challenge the top runners and the early wisdom is that all teams are improved, making the SELC all the more balanced for 2001.
The newly formed DII consists of current SELC members Alabama, the Citadel, and South Carolina along with new members the University of Florida and North Carolina State University. Florida showed well in fall conference competition, well enough to be tabbed as the favorite to capture the inaugural DII championship, followed in the poll by NCSU, Citadel, South Carolina, and Alabama.
Probably the single, biggest reason for the league-wide improvement is the growth of scholastic lacrosse in the South. SELC rosters feature more and more "local" talent as the number of high schools playing lacrosse in the region has increased exponentially over the last few years. "Home-grown" talent looks to have a real impact on league play this year. The Conference anticipates the influx to continue to increase in the years to come as teams become established in South Carolina and Alabama to join the talent pool being generated by programs in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia.
For 2001, SELC teams will continue to increase out of conference play. Premier USLIA programs such as BYU, Michigan, Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, Texas A&M, Indiana, Stanford, Texas, Chico State, UCLA, and Arizona State will compete against SELC members.
All in all, it shapes up as an exciting and dramatic season that'll conclude the weekend of April 27th-29th as the SELC Championship Tournament returns for the fourth year to Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. For more information on the SELC throughout the year, stayed tuned to the league’s web site at SELC.org.
2001
Division 1 SELC Pre-Season Poll
1. Tennessee (7 first place votes) - 271 points
2. Virginia Tech (3) - 267 points
3. Auburn - 250 points
4. Emory - 232 points
5. Georgia - 225 points
6. Vanderbilt - 214 points
7. Clemson - 211 points
8. Florida State - 206 points
9. Georgia Tech - 203 points
2001
Division 2 SELC Pre-Season Poll
1. Florida (5 first place votes) - 264 points
2. North Carolina State (3) - 261 points
3. The Citadel (2) - 255 points
4. South Carolina - 250 points
5. Alabama - 235 points
