Trojans Picked Fourth In West; Add Third TV Game

Wess Moore

23 days ago

The Sun Belt Conference coaches have picked the UALR men's basketball team to finish fourth in the West Division this season, as announced Tuesday by the conference office in the league's annual preseason poll.

The Trojans return just one starter off last year's team, which went 23-8 on its way to the fourth division championship in six years under head coach Steve Shields, but still received one first-place vote in the preseason poll.

"The way the preseason poll came out is in line with how I thought people would vote considering what each team has back. It's not surprising at all from our standpoint, having lost first team all-Sun Belt selection Shane Edwards and defensive player of the year John Fowler," said Shields. "I've never been one to put a lot of stock in preseason polls though. It's good from a fan's perspective to see where your program is in other people's minds going into the season, but we're much more concerned with the postseason standings. Two years ago we were picked sixth and ended up going 20-11 and sharing the west division championship."

North Texas was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the west after receiving nine of a possible 13 first-place votes, while Western Kentucky was picked as the frontrunner in the east with 12 first-place votes.

"Obviously we have a lot of work ahead of us with North Texas returning all five starters and Denver having everyone back after being one of the youngest teams in Division I basketball last season," said Shields. "Louisiana-Lafayette and Monroe also have a lot of talented players back, and Arkansas State and New Orleans will both be improved as well.

"With that said, I think our guys have worked extremely hard over the first 10 practices. They are eager to get to the court every day and have been very driven throughout the offseason."

In addition to the preseason poll, the league released its television package and preseason All-Sun Belt teams on Tuesday. Though UALR did not have anyone voted to the preseason teams, the Trojans did pick up a third television game for the 2009-10 season. In addition to having nationally televised games at Tulsa (ESPN) and South Alabama (ESPN2), UALR's contest at North Texas on Feb. 20 will air on CSS and CST.

"Shane (Edwards) wasn't on any preseason teams a year ago and ended up being a first team selection," said Shields. "I think our guys can look at Shane as an example of how hard work and dedication pays off."

The Trojans open the 2009-10 season with an exhibition game against Harding University at the Jack Stephens Center on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. Following the game, the Tip-In Club will have its annual "Meet the Trojans" event at Derek Fisher Court. Fans will have a chance to meet both the men's and women's basketball teams and listen to coach Shields and Joe Foley introduce their squads. Admission is free for the "Meet the Trojans" event which is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

2009 Sun Belt Preseason Poll

East Division
1. WKU (12 first place votes)	77 points
2. Troy (1 first place vote)	62 points
3. Middle Tennessee	53 points
4. South Alabama	40 points
5. Florida Atlantic	21 points
6. FIU	20 points

West Division
1. North Texas (9 first place votes)	85 points
2. Denver (1 first place vote)	73 points
3. Louisiana-Lafayette (1 first place vote)	56 points
4. UALR (1 first place vote)	53 points
5. Louisiana-Monroe (1 first place vote)	45 points
6. Arkansas State	36 points
7. New Orleans	17 points