ISU men's hoops projected ninth in Valley 

[OCT. 31, 2006]  NORMAL -- With only one starter returning and the addition of six newcomers, the Illinois State men's basketball team enters the 2006-07 season unproven in an experienced league. As a result, the Redbirds were predicted to finish ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference Pre-Season Poll, conducted by the league coaches, media and sports information directors.

With seven returning lettermen, head coach Porter Moser wasn't surprised by the projection.

"Only our team and coaches know how much we are advancing and how much impact the newcomers have had," Moser said. "It is hard for the people on the outside to make an evaluation based on speculation. People don't know unless they are with us every day, and we won't know until we start playing games."

ISU has been picked to finish ninth or 10th the last three seasons but was never projected lower than seventh prior to the 2004-05 season. The Redbirds received 125 total points among the 40 ballots.

Creighton was chosen as the Valley preseason favorite for the first time in four years. The Bluejays received 29 first-place votes and notched 386 points. The Jays also placed two players on the preseason all-conference team in Nate Funk and Anthony Tolliver, while Funk was named the Valley's Preseason Player of the Year.

Southern Illinois earned nine first-place tallies and accumulated 354 points, which was good for second place. The Salukis also add two players on the preseason all-league team with seniors Jamaal Tatum and Tony Young.

Defending regular-season champion Wichita State was picked third with 325 points and two first-place votes. The Shockers' PJ Couisnard and Kyle Wilson were each named preseason all-conference honorable mention. In the No. 4 spot was Missouri State with 289 points. MSU's senior guard Blake Ahearn was also named to the preseason all-league team.

Senior forward Grant Stout from Northern Iowa rounded out the six-player, all-conference preseason team. His Panthers were projected for fifth place with 223 points. Evansville was picked sixth, at 163 points; Drake was tabbed seventh, with 136; and Bradley was predicted to finish eighth, with 136. Indiana State rounded out the poll with 48 points.

The Redbirds will begin their preparation for the 2006-07 season with an exhibition game against Missouri-St. Louis on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

[Illinois State University news release provided by Todd Kober, assistant athletics director, media relations]

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