Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball picked to finish ninth in MVC
10/25/2011 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 25, 2011
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Southern Illinois University men's basketball team was picked to finish ninth in the annual preseason poll of Missouri Valley Conference coaches and media released on Tuesday.
The Salukis return two starters from last year's team that finished 13-19 overall and 5-13 in the league, including senior forward Mamadou Seck, who was named honorable mention preseason All-Conference. SIU has nine new faces on its roster.
"I think we have a lot of unknowns with as many new guys as we have," Saluki head coach Chris Lowery said. "They've shown a tremendous attitude and effort, and we feel good about the competitive nature of our team. They've embraced our past and are drinking the Saluki Kool-Aid."
Creighton has been picked to win the 2011-12 MVC men's basketball crown. The Bluejays return three starters from a team that won 23 games last year. Kyle Weems of Missouri State, meanwhile, has been tabbed the league's Preseason Player of the Year.
Creighton tied for fourth in the league race last season and represented the MVC in the championship series of the CBI, falling to Oregon in a best-of-three series. Returning starters include Doug McDermott, Antoine Young, and Gregory Echenique.
The Bluejays enter the 2011-12 campaign as one of nine schools nationally who have made the postseason in 14 consecutive seasons. McDermott, one of two sophomores on the 2011-12 pre-season all-MVC team, last year became the first freshman since 1951-52 (Cleo Littleton of Wichita State) to earn first-team all-MVC honors. He set the league freshman scoring record with 581 points, and he averaged 7.2 rebounds per game.
MVC Preseason Poll
1 Creighton (29) 389
2 Wichita State (7) 350
3 Indiana State (4) 331
4 Northern Iowa 245
5 Evansville 234
6 Missouri State 216
7 Drake 159
8 Illinois State 111
9 Southern Illinois 90
10 Bradley 75
Poll determined by panel of league sports information directors, media, and coaches.
2011-12 MVC Preseason All-Conference Team
Jake Odum, Indiana State, G, 6-4, 170, So., Terre Haute (Ind.) South Vigo High
Doug McDermott, Creighton, F, 6-7, 220, So., Ames (Iowa) High
Toure' Murry, Wichita State, G, 6-5, 203, Sr., Houston (Texas) Klein Forest High
Colt Ryan, Evansville, G/F, 6-5, 210, Jr., Batesville (Ind.) High
Kyle Weems, Missouri State, F, 6-6, 226, Sr., Topeka (Kan.) Highland Park High
Honorable Mention: Gregory Echenique, Creighton; Anthony James, UNI; Rayvonte Rice, Drake; Mamadou Seck, Southern Illinois; Antoine Young, Creighton.
Preseason Player of the Year -- Kyle Weems, Missouri State
