Kent State, Ball State Picked To Win Women's Hoops Divisions
Oct. 23, 2002
CLEVELAND - Kent State and Ball State have been picked to win their
respective divisions of the 2002-03 women's basketball season in the
Mid-American Conference, announced today by the league office at the
Women's Basketball Media Day at Gund Arena. Voting for the team was
conducted by members of the MAC News Media Association.
Since the MAC switched to divisional play for the 1997-98 season, Kent
State has been picked to finish first in the East Division, while Ball
State was tabbed to win the West Division for the first time ever. The
Golden Flashes are also the favorite to repeat as champions at the
league's postseason tournament, which will take place at Gund Arena in
Cleveland, March 12, 14-15.
Kent State captured 15 votes to win the tournament, edging Ball State,
which picked up 11 votes. Miami was the only other team that was
selected to win the tournament, with the RedHawks receiving seven
votes. The winner of the MAC tournament receives an automatic bid to
the NCAA Tournament.
Last year's MAC East Division champion for the fifth consecutive year,
Kent State received 24 of 33 first-place votes and 189 total points,
with Miami right on the heels of the Golden Flashes. The RedHawks
received nine first-place tallies and 174 points. Third through
fifth-place was tight as 15 points separated three teams for the second
straight year. Marshall was picked for third with 106 points and edged
Ohio for fourth, which received 100 points. Tabbed for fifth was
Buffalo with 91 points. Akron, with 33 votes for sixth place, rounded
out the East Division.
In the West Division, last year's overall regular season co-champion
Ball State was a near unanimous choice as the Cardinals picked up 29
first-place votes and 225 points. Western Michigan edged Toledo for
second place with 173 points, 11 points ahead of the Rockets. Northern
Illinois, which picked up four first-place tallies, was fourth with 152
points. Eastern Michigan was tabbed for fifth with 100 points, while
new division member Bowling Green was slated for sixth with 73 tallies.
Completing the West Division is Central Michigan, picked seventh with 39
points.
Kent State has appeared in the last seven MAC title games, last year
defeating Ball State 73-59 for the Golden Flashes' third title in the
last five seasons. The Cardinals appeared in their first-ever
championship game last season.
2002 MAC Women's Basketball
Preseason Poll
East Division
1. Kent State (24) 189
2. Miami (9) 174
3. Marshall 106
4. Ohio 100
5. Buffalo 91
6. Akron 33
West Division
1. Ball State (29) 225
2. Western Michigan 173
3. Toledo 162
4. Northern Illinois (4) 152
5. Eastern Michigan 100
6. Bowling Green 73
7. Central Michigan 39
Tournament Winner
Kent State 15
Ball State 11
Miami 7
Note: First-place votes in parentheses
Voting conducted by members of the MAC News Media Association
