NEW ORLEANS (10/22/03) The North Texas men’s basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference in the league’s preseason poll, released at its annual basketball media days.
The Mean Green received 25 points in the preseason poll of the conference’s 11 head coaches, placing them fifth in the West Division with three more points than New Orleans. Louisiana-Lafayette was picked to win the division with 62 points and seven first-place votes. New Mexico State is predicted to finish second with 58 points and four first-place votes, while Denver and South Alabama each received 32 points for third place.
Western Kentucky is the favorite to repeat as the East Division champion after receiving 51 points and eight first-place votes. Middle Tennessee got the remaining three first-place votes and was picked to finish second with 45 points. Arkansas-Little Rock was picked third, Arkansas State fourth and Florida International fifth.
New Mexico State’s James Moore was selected as the preseason Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year to lead the preseason all-conference squad. North Texas, which graduated three starters from last year’s team, did not have anyone named to the team. South Alabama was the only school to place more than one player on the team.
North Texas opens its season Nov. 21, hosting Northwestern Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. at the Super Pit.
2003-04 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Poll
WEST
1. Louisiana-Lafayette (7), 62 points
2. New Mexico State (4), 58 points
T3. Denver, 32 points
T3. South Alabama, 32 points
5. North Texas, 25 points
6. New Orleans, 22
EAST
1. Western Kentucky (8), 51 points
2. Middle Tennessee (3), 45 points
3. Arkansas-Little Rock, 32 points
4. Arkansas State, 21 points
5. Florida International, 17 points
2003-04 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team
1st TEAM
James Moore, New Mexico State
Brad Boyd, Louisiana-Lafayette
Tommy Gunn, Middle Tennessee
Brett Starkey, Denver
Mike Wells, Western Kentucky
2nd TEAM
Malerick Bedden, South Alabama
Johnell Smith, New Orleans
Tevoris Thompson, Arkansas State
Chris Young, South Alabama
Nick Zachery, Arkansas-Little Rock
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR: James Moore, New Mexico State
