Colorado University Athletics

WOMEN'S HOOPS PICKED FIFTH IN BIG 12

WOMEN'S HOOPS PICKED FIFTH IN BIG 12
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DALLAS - Texas was picked to win its second consecutive Big 12 Conference women's basketball title in a preseason poll voted on by the league's head coaches and released by the conference office Wednesday.

The Longhorns, who advanced to the semifinals of the 2003 Final Four, received 10 first-place votes (coaches not allowed to vote for own team or players) and totaled 120 points. Kansas State was picked second with the other two first-place votes and 111 points. The Wildcats finished second in last year's conference race. Texas Tech (99 points), Oklahoma (87 points), and Colorado (81 points) rounded out the top five. All of these squads represented the Big 12 in the 2003 NCAA Tournament with Texas Tech joining Texas in the Elite Eight and Colorado advancing to the Sweet 16. Colorado was also picked to finish fifth in 2002-03 and wound up fourth, and the Buffs were picked fourth in 2001-02 and took third.

Baylor was picked sixth (72 points) and Missouri was seventh (55 points). Both competed in last year's WNIT with Missouri advancing to the third round and Baylor winning its way to the championship game. The remainder of the preseason poll includes Iowa State eighth (53 points), Kansas ninth (40 points), Oklahoma State 10th (35 points), Nebraska 11th (20 points), and Texas A&M 12th (19 points).

Kansas State's Nicole Ohlde was chosen Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year for the second straight year. The 6-4 senior forward/center was Big 12 Player of the Year last year and a consensus All-America. She finished the 2003 season fourth in the Big 12 in scoring with 18.4 ppg and third in rebounding with 9.0 per outing. She was second in the league in field goal percentage, hitting at a 57.3 percent clip.

The Big 12 kicks off the 2003-04 campaign with its annual Basketball Media Days on Oct. 29 and 30 in Dallas. Women's Media Day will be Wednesday, Oct. 29 followed by the men on Thursday, Oct. 30.

2003-04 Big 12 Conference Women's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll

2003-04 Big 12 Conference Women's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Texas (10) 120
2. Kansas State (2) 111
3. Texas Tech 99
4. Oklahoma 87
5. Colorado 81
6. Baylor 72
7. Missouri 55
8. Iowa State 53
9. Kansas 40
10. Oklahoma State 35
11. Nebraska 20
12. Texas A&M 19

(first place votes in parentheses; coaches not allowed to vote for own team)

2003-04 Big 12 Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Team (coaches not allowed to vote for own players)Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Nicole Ohlde, Kansas State F/C
Kendra Wecker, Kansas State F
Stacy Stephens, Texas F
Heather Schreiber, Texas F
Jia Perkins, Texas Tech G
(Others Receiving Votes: Tera Bjorklund, Colorado; Jamie Carey, Texas; Caton Hill, Oklahoma; ; Erin Grant, Texas Tech; Sophie Young, Baylor; Evan Unrau, Missouri)

Preseason Player of the Year: Nicole Ohlde, Kansas State

Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Elizangela Gomes, Oklahoma State

Preseason Freshman of the Year: Tiffany Jackson, Texas