MWC Preseason Poll Has Team Finishing Sixth

DENVER -- BYU’s women’s basketball team was picked to finish sixth in the upcoming 2009-10 basketball season as selected by MWC coaches and media members.

The announcement was made Wednesday at the Mountain West Conference Basketball Media Day held at The Mtn. Studios in Denver, Colo. The voting panel consisted of the league's nine head coaches and select women's basketball media.

San Diego State was tabbed as the preseason favorite after sharing the 2008-09 MWC regular-season title and earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Aztecs received 25 first-place votes and 240 total points. TCU collected three first-place votes and finished second with 216 points, followed by Utah with 185 points. New Mexico (168 points) placed fourth, followed by Wyoming (121 points), BYU (109 points), UNLV (97 points), Colorado State (57 points) and Air Force (31 points).

Three starters and 12 letterwinners return for BYU from last year’s team that compiled an 18-11, 8-8 record finishing tied for fifth place in the regular season.

The Cougars open the 2009-10 campaign on Nov. 13 hosting instate rival Utah Valley University after playing two exhibition games on Nov. 6 and 7.

2009-10 MWC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll

Rk. Team(1st-place votes) Pts.

1. SDSU (25) 240

2. TCU (3) 216

3. Utah 185

4. New Mexico 168

5. Wyoming 121

6. BYU 109

7. UNLV 97

8. Colorado St. 57

9. Air Force 31