SLC Preseason Basketball Polls Released

Posted November 4, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Filed Under McNeese State, Men's Basketball, Southland Conference, Women's Basketball | Leave a Comment

The 2009-10 Southland Conference preseason polls have been released, and the expectations around the league are not very high for either the Cowboys or the Cowgirls.

The McNeese men were picked to finish fifth in the East Division by SLC coaches and fourth by sports information directors. Central Arkansas was picked below the Cowboys in both polls and Northwestern State and McNeese flip-flopped spots in the SID poll.

Overall, there appears to be just as much confusion over who will win the basketball title as there was heading into the football season. Three different teams received first-place votes, with Stephen F. Austin being the majority pick to win in the coaches’ poll and Nicholls State getting tabbed by SIDs for the top spot.

Sam Houston State was picked to win the West in both polls.

On the women’s side, the Cowgirls were picked to finish fourth in the division by both fellow coaches and SIDs. Stephen F. Austin is the overwhelming favorite to capture the East Division crown while Lamar is the pick in the West.

Neither McNeese basketball team had a player named preseason all-conference.

McNeese fans looking for a positive need only remember that these things don’t often turn out as predicted — for instance, Southeastern Louisiana was picked to finish last in football this season and sits tied for first place with three games left in the season.