Oct. 8, 2003
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's basketball team has been picked to finish sixth in the Mountain West Conference in a preseason poll released Tuesday at the league's basketball media day in Denver, Colo. The voting panel consisted of the conference's eight head coaches and select media.
The Aztecs jumped one spot from each of the three previous preseason polls, receiving 57 total points. SDSU, which finished seventh in the MWC a year ago, was accurately picked to place sixth in the inaugural poll in 1999-2000.
Defending regular-season conference champion Utah, which returns all five starters, was the top selection for the 2003-04 campaign, receiving 19 out of the 20 first-place votes and 152 points overall. The Utes were followed by BYU (120 points), which claimed the other first-place vote, and New Mexico (119 points). Colorado State (98) and UNLV (85) were picked fourth and fifth, respectively, while Wyoming (54) and Air Force (28) finished out the poll.
The media and coaches have correctly picked the regular-season conference winner in three of the four previous polls, with Colorado State earning the nod in 2001-02, and Utah claiming the title in 1999-2000 and 2000-01. BYU was picked to win the MWC a year ago, but ended up finishing tied for third.
The Aztecs return four players from last season's squad which finished 9-18 overall and 3-11 in conference play under first-year head coach Jim Tomey. SDSU, which also boasts eight newcomers, officially begins practice on October 18, and starts exhibition play Nov. 11, at 7:00 pm in Cox Arena.
2003-04 MWC Preseason Media Poll
School (First-Place Votes)Points
1. Utah (19)152
2. BYU (1)120
3. New Mexico119
4. Colorado State 98
5. UNLV 85
6. San Diego State57
7. Wyoming54
8. Air Force28
2003-04 Preseason All-MWC
Kim Smith, So., F, Utah
Shona Thorburn, So., G, Utah
Danielle Cheesman, Jr., F, BYU
Mandi Moore, Jr., G, New Mexico
Sherry McCracklin, Jr., F/C, UNLV
Top Returning Player: Kim Smith, So., F, Utah
Top Newcomer: Jenny Shetters, Jr., C, New Mexico
SDSU In The MWC Preseason Poll