LIVINGSTON, Ala. - Following two of the most successful seasons in program history, the University of West Alabama men's basketball team will look to take the next step in the 2015-2016 season.
 
The Tigers were picked to finish fifth in the preseason Gulf South Conference poll as voted on by league coaches on Friday. They received one second place vote and three third-place votes. Alabama Huntsville, who defeated West Alabama 73-68 in the conference tournament championship game, was selected as the favorite to win the conference, followed by West Georgia, Union and Delta State respectively.
 
Head coach Allen Sharpe returns for his second year at the helm of the UWA men's basketball squad, and enters only two wins away from his 300^th career win. He owns a 298-109 record through 13 seasons as a head coach.
 
In his first season, he led UWA to a share of the GSC regular season championship with Alabama Huntsville and West Georgia, marking the first title since 1981-1982 while establishing the most single season wins in program history of 22, breaking the previous record of 21 set in 1970-1971 (44 years). Along with the overall wins also came the most single season GSC victories with 15, busting the previous best of 13 in 1970-1971.
 
The Tigers made their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament, marking the first time in program history to make back-to-back trips. The 2013-2014 NCAA Tournament appearance snapped a 32 year drought for the Tigers making it to the dance for the first time since the 1981-1982 season. UWA has never made it out of the South Regional, reaching the regional championship game once in 1982 falling to Florida Southern 86-79 in triple-overtime.
 
In its latest appearance at the dance, West Alabama fell short by one point to GSC rival West Georgia in the first round of the tournament. Deontaye Stocks sank the buzzer-beater for the Wolves to lead his team onto the next round with an 80-79 victory.
 
The Tigers bounced back from a difficult three game losing streak to start off 2014-2015 by winning its next five games, which included a second place finish at the GCI Alaska Invitational tournament. The team went on to match the program's second largest margin of victory ever with a 109-54 (+55) win over Miles College (largest margin of victory since Feb. 13, 1993 – 21 years). Two six-game win streaks ensued, matching the best single season win streak in 10 years (last set in 2004-05).
 
The Tigers return only four from last year's squad: seniors Deontaye Ewing and Dakari Mayo, junior Marcel Moorer and sophomore Khalil Carter. Mayo returns for his second season at West Alabama to lead the defense once again. In just one season, Mayo has already earned a place in the Tiger's record book as the fifth leading blocker in program history with 70 blocked shots. His season high of seven came on the road against rival North Alabama.
 
The team welcomes in nine newcomers to the squad, led by Top Newcomers to the GSC, Simeon Dennis and Jahmal Lane. Dennis, a senior transfer from St. Peters University (N.J.), is a 6-3 guard from Atlanta, Ga. and Lane is a 6-4 guard from Planfield, N.J. who transferred from Western Oklahoma State College.
 
Taking the next step will not be easy as West Alabama opens the 2015-2016 season against the defending NCAA DII National Champions, Florida Southern, at home on Nov. 13. It will follow that game with a matchup against Eckered College, also at home, on the next day.   
 
GSC action will also open at home against Mississippi College on Dec. 3 and Delta State on Dec. 5. Lee University joins the league this season as an official member eligible for post season play, stretching the number of qualifying teams to 11. MC, who is still ineligible, will still compete toward league schedules.
 
The Tigers will end 2015 against NAIA opponent Auburn Montgomery on Jan. 31 before opening 2016 against conference foes Shorter University on Jan. 2 and Lee on Jan. 4.
 
The first meeting with the preseason favorites, Alabama Huntsville will be on Jan. 10 in Huntsville, Ala., while the first chance at redemption against West Georgia will come on Jan. 16 in Carrollton, Ga.
 
The season opener with Florida Southern will tipoff at 2 p.m. in Pruitt Hall.