ASU, USCA, Paine basketball notes

Before we get started, thanks to all of you who participated in the live online chats with Augusta State coach Dip Metress and USC Aiken coach Vince Alexander. Look forward to more online chats as the season progresses.

Now here are a few tidbits to whet your appetite until your favorite team next plays: 

POLL WATCH: There's been four national Division II preseason polls that have come out. The one I go by is the National Association of Basketball Coaches Poll, which has USC Aiken at No. 2 and Augusta State at No. 5. The first season poll comes out next week. 

RING-ING IN THE NEW SEASON: The Augusta State women will receive their Peach Belt Conference championships rings before they play Benedict at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Augusta State men will receive their national finalist/South Atlantic Regional champion rings before their 7:30 contest with Benedict.

PAINE WATCH: Coach Ron Spry said guard Thomas Broughton is out until January with a shoulder injury.

CHRIS COMMONS WATCH: USC Aiken senior forward Chris Commons was named preseason Division II player of the year by Basketball Times magazine. Commons transferred into USC Aiken before last season. He averaged 22 points a game on 54 percent shooting.

“It kind of gave me a lot of a hope, especially coming of the situation I came from," Commons said. "All year I stressed being lucky and being blessed. Going from the bottom and being a nobody to people throughout the country thinking I’m one of the best players in the country really made my day.”