Oct. 7, 2003
DENVER - San Diego State men's basketball team has been selected to finish sixth by the media in the preseason Mountain West Conference poll announced Tuesday at the league's basketball media day in Denver.
SDSU received 55 total points after placing fifth in the league last season. Brigham Young was the pick to win the league with 13 first-place votes and 144 points.
SDSU compiled a 16-14 mark last season as the Aztecs advanced to the postseason for the second straight year under the guidance of head coach Steve Fisher and won their first round matchup in the NIT before falling to Texas Tech.
The Aztecs return eight letter winners from last year, including senior forward Aerick Sanders, who led the team in rebounding at 7.6 per game. Wesley Stokes, a candidate for MWC newcomer of the year, joins the SDSU squad after sitting out after his transfer from Missouri and will take over the point-guard duties. In addition, junior forward Chris Walton returns to action after a redshirt season a year ago, while freshmen Marcus Slaughter and Brandon Heath will look to make an immediate impact.
Utah finished second in the poll with the other six first place votes and 138 points. Colorado State (107), UNLV (97), and Wyoming (73) round out the top five selections. The Cougars and Utes shared the conference's regular-season crown last season with 11-3 records. BYU went 23-9 overall while Utah finished 25-8 and both earned bids to the NCAA Tournament.
SDSU begins practice on Oct. 18th and starts exhibition play against the LA Stars Nov. 4.
MWC Preseason Media Poll
School Points
1. BYU (13) 144
2. Utah (6) 138
3. Colorado State 107
4. UNLV 97
5. Wyoming 73
6. San Diego State 55
7. New Mexico 36
8. Air Force 35
Preseason All-MWC
Tim Keller, Jr., G, Air Force
Rafael Araujo, Sr., C, BYU
Mark Bigelow, Sr., F, BYU
Matt Nelson, Jr., C, Colorado State
Tim Frost, Sr., F, Utah
Nick Jacobson, Sr., G, Utah
Top Returning Player
Matt Nelson, Jr., C, Colorado State
Top Newcomer
Andrew Bogut, Fr., C, Utah