somebison
11-13-2003, 10:25 PM
Preseason poll is out.. men picked fourth
South Dakota Picked as Favorite in Men’s Basketball Media Poll
11/13/03 9:18
South Dakota edged South Dakota State by one point as the favored team to win the North Central Conference men’s basketball championship in a preseason poll of the media.
The Coyotes posted a 2002-03 record of 19-9 overall and 8-8 in the NCC before advancing to the Wells Fargo Finals.
South Dakota State, second in the media voting totals, finished second in the league race and reached the semifinals of the Wells Fargo Finals and the NCAA North Central Region tournament. SDSU has already posted a 3-0 record this season after sweeping through the Disney Tip-Off Classic.
Nineteen media members responded to the 28th annual poll. South Dakota was chosen as the champions by six of the poll participants, finished second on 12 ballots and fourth on one ballot. South Dakota State garnered 12 first-place votes and St. Cloud State was picked tops on one ballot.
Non-conference action continues November 15. Conference play opens Friday, January 9th.
Here are the selections with quotes from the responding media (with each pollster’s first and second place picks in parenthesis):
Jeff Fylling, KIKN, Sioux Falls (SDSU, USD) - “This was easy.”
Mick Hatten, St. Cloud Times (SDSU, USD) - “If the Jacks are healthy, they could contend for a national title. They will be the NCC’s deepest team.”
Kevin Culhane, Coyote Sports Network (USD, SDSU) - “Even though they are no longer rivals -- USD/SDSU will battle for the league title. Parity is the key word in the NCC this season!”
Rob White, Omaha World-Herald (SDSU, USD) - “SDSU and USD are loaded. UNO could finish in the top half if juco transfers are as good as expected.”
Tigh Lessman, Brookings Register (SDSU, USD) - “It looks to be a tough conference race again in the NCC.”
Joe VanGoor, Coyote Sports Network (SDSU, USD) - “Might as well make SDSU the favorite with the Big Move coming next year!”
Steve Carlson, Dakota News Network (USD, SDSU) - “The Coyotes and Jacks look the best of what should be a balanced league.”
Hod Nielsen, Yankton Press & Dakotan (USD, SCSU) - “There will be a lot of new faces but some fine teams.”
Bob “Duke” Deslauries, KCCR, Pierre (SDSU, USD) - “SDSU - Makes their last season a memorable one. USD - Right on their heels.”
John Berstrom, WDAZ-TV, Grand Forks (USD, SDSU) - “Boots has another strong team.”
Jeff Kolpack, Forum (SDSU, NDSU) - “The Rabbits are overloaded.”
Lane Grindle, Coyote Sports Network (USD, SDSU) - “Tough to not pick the Coyotes considering the amount of talent they have returning.”
Steve Imming, WNAX, Yankton (SDSU, USD) - “A healthy SDSU could be DI to beat unless a veteran-driven Coyote crew signals a u-turn.”
Scott Miller, WDAY-AM, Fargo (SDSU, USD) - “SDSU and USD are both loaded with talent this season, but I give the Jacks a slight edge. Once healthy, the much bigger Bison should also contend.”
Jay Caldwell, WJON, St. Cloud (SDSU, USD) - “SDSU looks tough and USD has a lot of people back.”
2003-2004 North Central Conference
Men’s Basketball Preseason Media Poll
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
South Dakota 6 12 0 0 1 0 0 0 136
South Dakota State 12 4 0 1 1 0 1 0 135
St. Cloud State 1 2 8 5 3 0 0 0 107
North Dakota State 0 1 5 6 3 1 2 0 86
North Dakota 0 0 4 4 3 5 3 1 78
Nebraska-Omaha 0 0 2 1 7 8 1 0 71
Minnesota State 0 0 0 1 1 2 8 7 38
Augustana 0 0 0 1 0 3 4 11 33
Note: Points were awarded 8 for 1st, 7 for 2nd, etc.
-NCC-
South Dakota Picked as Favorite in Men’s Basketball Media Poll
11/13/03 9:18
South Dakota edged South Dakota State by one point as the favored team to win the North Central Conference men’s basketball championship in a preseason poll of the media.
The Coyotes posted a 2002-03 record of 19-9 overall and 8-8 in the NCC before advancing to the Wells Fargo Finals.
South Dakota State, second in the media voting totals, finished second in the league race and reached the semifinals of the Wells Fargo Finals and the NCAA North Central Region tournament. SDSU has already posted a 3-0 record this season after sweeping through the Disney Tip-Off Classic.
Nineteen media members responded to the 28th annual poll. South Dakota was chosen as the champions by six of the poll participants, finished second on 12 ballots and fourth on one ballot. South Dakota State garnered 12 first-place votes and St. Cloud State was picked tops on one ballot.
Non-conference action continues November 15. Conference play opens Friday, January 9th.
Here are the selections with quotes from the responding media (with each pollster’s first and second place picks in parenthesis):
Jeff Fylling, KIKN, Sioux Falls (SDSU, USD) - “This was easy.”
Mick Hatten, St. Cloud Times (SDSU, USD) - “If the Jacks are healthy, they could contend for a national title. They will be the NCC’s deepest team.”
Kevin Culhane, Coyote Sports Network (USD, SDSU) - “Even though they are no longer rivals -- USD/SDSU will battle for the league title. Parity is the key word in the NCC this season!”
Rob White, Omaha World-Herald (SDSU, USD) - “SDSU and USD are loaded. UNO could finish in the top half if juco transfers are as good as expected.”
Tigh Lessman, Brookings Register (SDSU, USD) - “It looks to be a tough conference race again in the NCC.”
Joe VanGoor, Coyote Sports Network (SDSU, USD) - “Might as well make SDSU the favorite with the Big Move coming next year!”
Steve Carlson, Dakota News Network (USD, SDSU) - “The Coyotes and Jacks look the best of what should be a balanced league.”
Hod Nielsen, Yankton Press & Dakotan (USD, SCSU) - “There will be a lot of new faces but some fine teams.”
Bob “Duke” Deslauries, KCCR, Pierre (SDSU, USD) - “SDSU - Makes their last season a memorable one. USD - Right on their heels.”
John Berstrom, WDAZ-TV, Grand Forks (USD, SDSU) - “Boots has another strong team.”
Jeff Kolpack, Forum (SDSU, NDSU) - “The Rabbits are overloaded.”
Lane Grindle, Coyote Sports Network (USD, SDSU) - “Tough to not pick the Coyotes considering the amount of talent they have returning.”
Steve Imming, WNAX, Yankton (SDSU, USD) - “A healthy SDSU could be DI to beat unless a veteran-driven Coyote crew signals a u-turn.”
Scott Miller, WDAY-AM, Fargo (SDSU, USD) - “SDSU and USD are both loaded with talent this season, but I give the Jacks a slight edge. Once healthy, the much bigger Bison should also contend.”
Jay Caldwell, WJON, St. Cloud (SDSU, USD) - “SDSU looks tough and USD has a lot of people back.”
2003-2004 North Central Conference
Men’s Basketball Preseason Media Poll
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
South Dakota 6 12 0 0 1 0 0 0 136
South Dakota State 12 4 0 1 1 0 1 0 135
St. Cloud State 1 2 8 5 3 0 0 0 107
North Dakota State 0 1 5 6 3 1 2 0 86
North Dakota 0 0 4 4 3 5 3 1 78
Nebraska-Omaha 0 0 2 1 7 8 1 0 71
Minnesota State 0 0 0 1 1 2 8 7 38
Augustana 0 0 0 1 0 3 4 11 33
Note: Points were awarded 8 for 1st, 7 for 2nd, etc.
-NCC-