Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Lady Raiders tabbed as preseason favorite in C-USA
10/27/2017 2:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Squad returns 4 starters
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee has been picked as the preseason favorite in C-USA in a vote of league coaches as announced by the conference office Friday.
The Lady Raiders received six of a possible 14 votes and edged WKU, which was second. Louisiana Tech, Charlotte and Rice rounded out the top five, respectively.
Middle Tennessee, which garnered votes in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll, has been the preseason favorite to win its conference in 10 of Rick Insell's 13 years as head coach.
"I would just as soon be picked to win the conference as not to win it," Insell said. "We also understand that being picked to win it doesn't mean you will. You have to get it done on the court, not the polls, but it is good recognition."
Middle Tennessee returns four starters, including C-USA Preseason Player of the Year Alex Johnson, and nine letterwinners from its 2016-17 squad that won 24 games and reached the third round of the WNIT. The Lady Raiders also return Abbey Sissom, who was on the C-USA All-Defensive team; Gabby Lyon, the 2017 C-USA Sixth Player of the Year, and senior Rebecca Reuter, who has played 100 career games as a Lady Raider.
An experienced junior class is also bolstered by the return of Jess Louro, Katie Collier, Jordan Majors.
"As much as anything, I believe coaches have voted for us because of the players we have returning, as well as the consistency we have had along the way," Insell said. "It is going to be another tough season in C-USA. We have several outstanding players and some very, very good coaches in C-USA. That is on display every night throughout the conference season."
Middle Tennessee will play its first of two exhibition games when it faces Tennessee Wesleyan at Murphy Center Sunday at 3 PM.
2017-18 C-USA Women's Preseason Poll
1. Middle Tennessee (6)
2. WKU (8)
3. Louisiana Tech
4. Charlotte
5. Rice
6. Southern Miss
7. UAB
8. North Texas
9. Marshall
10. Old Dominion
11. UTEP
12. UTSA
13. Florida Atlantic
14. FIU
C-USA Preseason Team
*Alex Johnson, Middle Tennessee
Rachael Childress, UAB
Nyilah Jamison-Myers, Charlotte
Terriell Bradley, North Texas
Shayna Gore, Marshall
Kierra Anthony, Louisiana Tech
Ivy Brown, WKU
Tashia Brown, WKU
* - Preseason Player of the Year
The Lady Raiders received six of a possible 14 votes and edged WKU, which was second. Louisiana Tech, Charlotte and Rice rounded out the top five, respectively.
Middle Tennessee, which garnered votes in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll, has been the preseason favorite to win its conference in 10 of Rick Insell's 13 years as head coach.
"I would just as soon be picked to win the conference as not to win it," Insell said. "We also understand that being picked to win it doesn't mean you will. You have to get it done on the court, not the polls, but it is good recognition."
Middle Tennessee returns four starters, including C-USA Preseason Player of the Year Alex Johnson, and nine letterwinners from its 2016-17 squad that won 24 games and reached the third round of the WNIT. The Lady Raiders also return Abbey Sissom, who was on the C-USA All-Defensive team; Gabby Lyon, the 2017 C-USA Sixth Player of the Year, and senior Rebecca Reuter, who has played 100 career games as a Lady Raider.
An experienced junior class is also bolstered by the return of Jess Louro, Katie Collier, Jordan Majors.
"As much as anything, I believe coaches have voted for us because of the players we have returning, as well as the consistency we have had along the way," Insell said. "It is going to be another tough season in C-USA. We have several outstanding players and some very, very good coaches in C-USA. That is on display every night throughout the conference season."
Middle Tennessee will play its first of two exhibition games when it faces Tennessee Wesleyan at Murphy Center Sunday at 3 PM.
2017-18 C-USA Women's Preseason Poll
1. Middle Tennessee (6)
2. WKU (8)
3. Louisiana Tech
4. Charlotte
5. Rice
6. Southern Miss
7. UAB
8. North Texas
9. Marshall
10. Old Dominion
11. UTEP
12. UTSA
13. Florida Atlantic
14. FIU
C-USA Preseason Team
*Alex Johnson, Middle Tennessee
Rachael Childress, UAB
Nyilah Jamison-Myers, Charlotte
Terriell Bradley, North Texas
Shayna Gore, Marshall
Kierra Anthony, Louisiana Tech
Ivy Brown, WKU
Tashia Brown, WKU
* - Preseason Player of the Year
Players Mentioned
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