BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama State was picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll as voted on the league's head coaches and sports information directors and Jacoby Ross earned preseason honors, announced by the conference office Monday afternoon.

Ross, who was named Second Team Preseason All-SWAC, played in 31 games with 26 starts as a sophomore, and finished second on the team in scoring last season averaging 12.6 points per game. He also dished out 2.3 assists per game, while averaging 31.6 minutes per game. He finished the season shooting 34.0 (126-of-371) percent from the floor, and 33.3 (68-of-204) percent from beyond the arc. Ross also shot a team-high 83.5 (71-of-85) percent from the free throw line.

The junior grabbed a total of 83 rebounds, averaging 2.7 rebounds per game and recorded 27 steals last season. He also scored in double figures 19 times, including 20-plus points five different times.

Meanwhile, the Hornets were picked fourth in the preseason poll with 140 votes, just behind Grambling State in third with 146 points. Texas Southern was picked second (156) and defending champion Prairie View A&M was picked to repeat with 161 total votes.

Alabama State opens the 2019-20 season on the road against perennial power Gonzaga on Tuesday, November 5.

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