Oct. 26, 2005

RICHARDSON, Texas - In what is projected as a tight race, the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys have been picked to place fourth in the American Southwest Conference's West Division. HSU was a tri-champion a year ago.

Mary Hardin-Baylor, who finished fourth a year ago was the favorite to win the West Division. The Crusaders return four starters and brought in a talented freshman class. They received 127 points to edge out Sul Ross State (121), McMurry (120) and HSU (119). Howard Payne, Texas Lutheran, Concordia-Austin and Schreiner round out the ASC West.

Mississippi College, who has been picked as high as No. 2 in one national preseason poll, was picked to win the East Division. The Choctaws were 22-5 last season. East Texas Baptist, UT-Tyler and UT-Dallas round out the top four in the East. Louisiana College, Ozarks, Austin College, and LeTourneau round out the west.

Sul Ross State's Sid Hooper (West) and East Texas Baptist's Cedric Isom (East) were named the preseason players of the year.

HSU was 19-8 last season and advanced to the semifinals of the ASC Tournament. HSU returns four starters from last year and nine of its top 11 scorers.

ASC 2005-06 MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL, AWARDS

Selected by Conference Coaches, Sports Information Directors and Media

ASC EAST DIVISION

Rank Team (first place votes) Points 2004-05 Records

1. Mississippi College (19)........................ 173................. 24-5, 19-3 ASC

2. East Texas Baptist (3).......................... 138............. 12-13, 12-10 ASC

3. Texas-Tyler............................................ 125............... 13-12, 13-9 ASC

4. Texas-Dallas.......................................... 113............. 15-14, 10-12 ASC

5. Univ. of the Ozarks................................ 85.............. 12-14, 10-12 ASC

6. Louisiana College.................................. 79................ 10-14, 9-13 ASC

7. Austin College......................................... 45................... 7-18, 6-16 ASC

8. LeTourneau............................................ 34................... 5-20, 4-18 ASC

ASC East Division Preseason Player of the Year:

Cedric Isom, G, Sr., East Texas Baptist University

ASC WEST DIVISION

Rank Team (first place votes) Points 2004-05 Records

1. Mary Hardin-Baylor (8)...................... 127................. 17-9, 15-7 ASC

2. Sul Ross State (4).................................. 121................. 19-7, 16-6 ASC

3. McMurry (5).......................................... 120................. 17-9, 16-6 ASC

4. Hardin-Simmons (3)............................. 119................. 19-8, 16-6 ASC

5. Howard Payne........................................ 73................... 9-16, 9-13 ASC

6. Texas Lutheran...................................... 58.............. 13-12, 12-10 ASC

7. Concordia-Austin................................... 48................... 6-19, 6-16 ASC

8. Schreiner.................................................. 36................... 3-21, 3-19 ASC

ASC West Division Preseason Player of the Year:

Sidney Hooper, G, Sr., Sul Ross State University