Cowgirls sixth in preseason poll

By Wyoming Sports.org

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Mountain West Conference announced its 2008-09 preseason women’s basketball poll and all-conference team Tuesday at its Basketball Media Day at the Las Vegas Renaissance Hotel. The voting panel consisted of the league’s nine head coaches and select women’s basketball media.

Utah was tabbed as the preseason favorite after earning a perfect 16-0 conference mark and an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament last season. The Utes received 16 first-place votes and 206 total points. San Diego State collected six first-place votes and finished second with 184 points, followed by TCU with two first-place nods and 161 points. New Mexico (148 points) placed fourth and garnered two first-place votes, followed by BYU (117 points), Wyoming (113 points), UNLV (80 points), Colorado State (44 points) and Air Force (36 points).

Last year’s all-MWC first-team member, Utah senior guard Morgan Warburton, earned Preseason Player of the Year honors, while Eboni Mangum of TCU was named Preseason Newcomer of the Year and BYU’s Kristen Riley was tabbed Preseason Freshman of the Year.

Three of the nine MWC teams were represented on the all-conference team, including one senior, two juniors and two sophomores. Warburton is a two-time first-team all-MWC selection and earned Associated Press honorable mention All-American accolades last season. She is joined on the preseason all-MWC team by teammate Kalee Whipple, San Diego State’s Jené Morris and Paris Johnson and TCU’s Helena Sverrisdottir.
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2008-09 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE
PRESEASON POLL
Rk. Team (1st-place votes) Points
1. Utah (16) 206
2. San Diego State (6) 184
3. TCU (2) 161
4. New Mexico (2) 148
5. BYU 117
6. Wyoming 113
7. UNLV 80
8. Colorado State 44
9. Air Force 36
Note: Coaches do not vote for their own teams.
2008-09 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE
PRESEASON TEAM
Paris Johnson, So., C, San Diego State
Jené Morris, Jr., G, San Diego State
Helena Sverrisdottir, So., F, TCU
Morgan Warburton, Sr., G ,Utah
Kalee Whipple, Jr., F, Utah
Preseason Player of the Year
Morgan Warburton, Sr., G, Utah
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Eboni Mangum, Jr., G, TCU
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Kristen Riley, F, BYU