Men's Basketball Ranked 14th In Preseason Mid-Major Top-25 Poll

Men's Basketball Ranked 14th In Preseason Mid-Major Top-25 Poll

Utah State returns three starters and seven letter-winners from last year's NCAA Tournament team.

Utah State's men's basketball team is ranked 14th in the country according to the first CollegeInsider.com mid-major top-25 poll released Wednesday. Gonzaga is ranked first in the country, while UC Santa Barbara is 11th.

"Any preseason recognition is positive, but it is more of a reflection on past successes," said sixth-year head coach Stew Morrill. "The reality of the upcoming season is that we haven't proven anything yet, but we are excited to get started."

Utah State returns three starters and seven letter-winners from the 2002-03 team that won the Big West tournament championship, recorded the fourth-most wins in school history with 24, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons.

Utah State opens the 2003-04 season on Fri., Nov. 7 in an exhibition game against Global Sports at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum at 7:05 p.m. The Aggies open the regular season on Fri., Nov. 21 at home against Fort Lewis College at 6:05 p.m.

CollegeInsider.Com
Preseason Mid-Major Poll

1. Gonzaga (26) (24-9)
2. Manhattan (23-7)
3. Illinois-Chicago (21-9)
4. East Tennessee State (20-11)
5. Wichita State (2) (18-12)
6. Miami (Ohio) (13-15)
7. Creighton (2) (29-5)
8. Louisiana-Lafayette (20-10)
9. Northern Illinois (17-14)
10. College of Charleston (25-8)
11. UC Santa Barbara (18-14)
12. Butler (2) (27-6)
13. George Mason (16-12)

14. UTAH STATE (24-9)

15. Bowling Green (13-16)
16. Holy Cross (26-5)
17. Austin Peay (23-8)
18. Pepperdine (15-13)
19. Bradley (12-18)
20. New Mexico State (20-9)
21. Oakland (17-11)
22. Eastern Washington (18-13)
23. UNC-Wilmington (24-7)
24. Akron (14-14)
25. Vermont (21-12)

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