NORFOLK, Va. – Coppin State's
Khali Horton was named to the MEAC Preseason All-Conference First Team while
Taj Thweatt earned Second Team recognition, it was announced by the league office on Wednesday afternoon at MEAC Men's Basketball Media Day.
The Eagles were also picked to finish eighth in the preseason poll as all awards were voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.
A junior from Erie, Pa., Horton averaged 7.9 points with 2.4 rebounds and a team-high 12 blocks in 29 games last season. Horton raised his scoring production to 9.4 points in conference action while hitting a team-high 24 3-pointers in those games. Scoring in double figures 11 times, Horton went for a career-high 28 points against Morgan State where he hit six 3-pointers and all eight of his free throws.
Thweatt is one of 14 newcomers at Coppin this year after playing last season at Fairmont State, where he led the Falcons to a Mountain East Conference Title and the NCAA Tournament. A senior from Wildwood, N.J., Thweatt averaged 11.8 points and 6.2 rebounds to go with 46 assists, 28 steals and 18 blocks last season. Thweatt started his collegiate career at West Virginia, where he spent two seasons before another two at Temple University.
Norfolk State was picked to finish atop the league standings with 12 of 16 first-place votes. The Spartans were followed in the poll by Howard, South Carolina State and Morgan State. Delaware State and North Carolina State finished in a tie for fifth before Maryland Eastern Shore took seventh and Coppin in eighth.
CSU opens the season on Monday, November 3 against Maryland at CFG Bank Arena as part of the HOF Series Baltimore. The Eagles home opener is scheduled for November 18 against Central Penn.
