LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Shawnee State University is projected to win the Mid-South Conference, according to the MSC Preseason Coaches' Poll released today by the conference.

The Bears -- in their first season in the MSC -- come off a fourth place finish at last season's NAIA National Championships.

Shawnee State received 79 voting points from the conference coaches, including eight first-place votes. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

Defending MSC champion University of Rio Grande is predicted to finish second after receiving 74 voting points, including the final two first-place votes.

University of the Cumberlands is third in the preseason poll with 66 voting points and Campbellsville University is fourth with 52 voting points.

Georgetown College (51 voting points), Lindsey Wilson College (43), Pikeville College (30), University of Virginia's College at Wise (24), West Virginia University Tech (19) and St. Catharine College (12) completes the preseason poll.

The Mid-South Conference Championships are scheduled for Nov. 6 in Portsmouth, Ohio.