RAMS PICKED SECOND IN RRAC:

RATED 14th NATIONALLY
October 18, 2007

FORT WORTH, TX:  The Red River Athletic Conference has released its men’s basketball preseason coaches’ poll.  Texas Wesleyan was picked second behind Wiley College.

Victory Sports Network has also released their preseason NAIA national Poll.  In that poll, veteran NAIA writer Paul Estes gave defending national champion Oklahoma City the top spot, while the Rams checked in at 14th.

The Rams, who finished 12-6 in conference play last season (19-10 overall), will feature 12 new players this season.  Dane Dmitrovic, a 6’10” forward from Slovenia, and Fred Eshon, a 6’2” guard from Houston, TX, highlight the returning class.

In addition the Rams have gained seven transfer students including three players with NCAA Division I experience.  The team also has four true freshmen (the most in head coach Terry Waldrop’s tenure).

Texas Wesleyan will open the 2007-08 season on November 6, at Oklahoma Christian University.  Their first home game will be November 8, when they host Parker College in the Sid Richardson Center at 7:30 p.m.

RRAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

School (First Place Votes)              Total Points

1. Wiley College (TX) (6)               78

2. Texas Wesleyan University (2)        65

3. Jarvis Christian College (TX)        57

4. Langston University (OK) (1)         56

5. Texas College                        49

6. Paul Quinn College (TX)              34

7. Bacone College (OK)                  29

8. Huston-Tillotson University (TX)     20

9. SW Assemblies of God University (TX) 17

Victory Sports Network NAIA Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll

1. Oklahoma City

2. Crichton

3. Faulkner

4. Concordia

5. Mountain State

6. Campbellsville

7. Azusa Pacific

8. Xavier

9. Georgetown

10. Olivet Nazarene

11. Oklahoma Baptist

12. Lee University

13. Robert Morris

14. Texas Wesleyan

15. LSU Shreveport

16. Westminster

17. Trevecca Nazarene

18. Point Loma

19. Northwestern Oklahoma

20. Union University

21. University of the Cumberlands

22. Westmont

23. Southern Nazarene

24. Illinois Springfield