MWC Announces Preseason Media Selections
Wyoming Favored; Cougars Picked Fourth in Predicted Strong Top-to-Bottom League
LAS -- The Mountain West Conference released its men's basketball preseason media poll and all-conference team today at the leagues' media day being held at the J.W. Marriott in Las Vegas, Nev.
The league media selected Wyoming to claim the Mountain West Conference Men's Basketball title for the second straight year with 141 total points and 12 of the possible 19 first-place votes. UNLV was picked second with 126 points and five first-place votes, while Utah came in third with 111 points and BYU fourth with 99. The Utes and Cougars each received one first-place vote. 2002 MWC Tournament champion San Diego State placed fifth with 82 total points, followed by Colorado State (56), New Mexico (40), and Air Force (29).
Wyoming claimed the first outright MWC regular season title last year after posting an 11-3 mark in conference play. The Cowboys finished the 2001-02 campaign 22-9 overall and defeated Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Arizona in the second round. Under head coach Steve McClain, the Cowboys have won 18 or more games each of the past four seasons and return five starters in 2002-03.
MWC Preseason Media PollSchool (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Wyoming (12) 141
2. UNLV (5) 126
3. Utah (1) 111
4. BYU (1) 99
5. San Diego State 82
6. Colorado State 56
7. New Mexico 40
8. Air Force 29
Preseason All-MWC Team
Ruben Douglas, Sr., New Mexico
Marcus Banks, Sr., UNLV
Dalron Johnson, Sr., UNLV
Britton Johnsen, Sr., Utah
Marcus Bailey, Sr., Wyoming
Top Returning Player -- Marcus Bailey, Sr., Wyoming
Top Newcomer -- Demetrius Hunter, Jr., UNLV
