Women's Basketball Picked 9th in MVC Preseason Poll
10/26/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 26, 2010
By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS - The Southern Illinois women's basketball team was selected ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll as announced Tuesday, Oct. 26, prior to the league's annual media day.
The Salukis garnered 83 points in the poll, which was voted on by league coaches, sports information directors, and media members. The Salukis return a pair of starters in senior Katrina Swingler and 2009-10 MVC All-Freshman Team honoree Teri Oliver from a team that finished ninth in the MVC last season.
"I think there is a lot of parity in our league," second-year Saluki head coach Missy Tiber said. "It is going to be a year in our conference where it is going to be very competitive top to bottom."
Missouri State, which returns four starters including unanimous preseason conference player of the year Casey Garrison and fellow MVC Preseason Team honoree Jaleshia Roberson, was selected as the favorite to win the MVC with 27 first-place votes and 385 points. Northern Iowa took the second spot on the poll with 329 points and three first-place votes with Creighton close behind at 328 points and seven first-place votes.
Defending MVC champion Illinois State received a pair of first-place votes to go along with 258 points to take the fourth spot while Wichita State was fifth with 226 points, Bradley was sixth with 204 points and one first-place vote, Drake was seventh with 180 points, Indiana State was eighth at 150 points and Evansville rounded out the poll in 10th with 57 points.
The Salukis host Illinois-Springfield Nov. 6 in exhibition play before opening the regular season Nov. 12 against Tennessee-Martin at the newly-renovated SIU Arena.
2010-11 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Women's Basketball Poll
School (First-Place Votes) • Points
1. Missouri State (27)• 385
2. Northern Iowa (3) • 329
3. Creighton (7) • 328
4. Illinois State (2) • 258
5. Wichita State • 226
6. Bradley (1) • 204
7. Drake • 180
8. Indiana State • 150
9. Southern Illinois • 83
10. Evansville • 57
2010-11 Preseason Team
Lizzie Boeck -- Northern Iowa
Casey Garrison -- Missouri State (Preseason Player of the Year)
Jacqui Kalin -- Northern Iowa
Jaleshia Roberson -- Missouri State
Sam Schuett -- Creighton