University of North Texas Athletics
Coaches Pick Mean Green Hoops Atop Sun Belt West Division
10/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DENTON, Texas (10/27/09) - The North Texas men's basketball team is the unanimous pick to top the Sun Belt West Division in every preseason publication, and now the conference's coaches agree. Eric Tramiel and Josh White headline the Sun Belt's Preseason All-Conference teams as the Mean Green enters the year as the favorite in the West.
The Mean Green garnered a league-high 85 points in the annual Sun Belt Preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday, as well as first-place votes from nine of the conference's 13 head coaches. NT returns all five starters from a program that has won at least 20 games in each of the last three years.
"Over the last several years it's been our mission to change the perception of our program, and how we are perceived by others. According to the voting, it looks like we are making strides towards that mission," said North Texas head coach Johnny Jones. "We are appreciative of being selected by our peers as one of the Sun Belt's top teams and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead this season."
Tramiel was named to the All-Sun Belt Preseason first-team, giving the Mean Green a first-team nod in each of the last two years. The senior was named to the league's third-team all-conference last season after leading the squad in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and free throw attempts. He was one of just two players in the Sun Belt to average over 12 points per game and have at least 25 assists (26) and 20 blocks (21).
A Second-Team Preseason All-Sun Belt selection, White finished second in the NCAA with a 90.6 free throw percentage last year, which smashed the old school record. The junior earned All-Sun Belt Tournament Team honors after averaging 20.0 points per game on 52.8 percent shooting and 4.3 assists per game. A hand injury bugged White for much of 08-09, but he still averaged 11.3 points per game, and is averaging 25.3 points per game against Big XII opponents in his career.
Until this poll North Texas had never been picked to win the Sun Belt West Division outright. The Mean Green and UALR tied for first in last year's preseason poll - it's highest selection since joining the league in 2000.
On top of the Sun Belt poll, North Texas was also named the SBC West's top squad by Sporting News, Athlon, Yahoo, Lindy's, and ESPN, among others.
The league also announced that North Texas will appear twice on the Sun Belt Television Network. The Mean Green will play host to UALR on Feb. 20, and will take on ULM on Feb. 27. FSN Southwest will carry NT's games at Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.
The Mean Green opens the 2009-10 season at home against Cameron. Tip off from the Super Pit is scheduled for 7 p.m.
2009 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
East Division
1. Western Kentucky (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
2009 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball
First Team
Nate Rohnert, Denver
Desmond Yates, Middle Tennessee
Eric Tramiel, North Texas
Brandon Hazzard, Troy
A.J. Slaughter, WKU
Second Team
Chris Gradnigo, Louisiana-Lafayette
Josh White, North Texas
Richard Delk, Troy
Sergio Kerusch, WKU
Steffphon Pettigrew, WKU
Third Team
Donald Boone, Arkansas State
Tony Hooper, Louisiana-Monroe
Malcolm Thomas, Louisiana-Monroe
Michael Vogler, Troy
Jeremy Evans, WKU
Preseason Player of the Year - AJ Slaughter, WKU
