RICHARDSON – The Lone Star Conference released the preseason picks and awards for the upcoming basketball season on Tuesday.
The ACU men’s basketball team was picked to finish six in the Lone Star South Division for the 2009-10 season. Last year’s champion Midwestern State was picked to repeat in the South followed by Angelo State, Tarleton State and West Texas A&M.
Texas A&M-Kingsville received one first place vote and 82 overall as they were picked fifth ahead of the Wildcats. Eastern New Mexico rounds out the South Division as Central Oklahoma is the top pick in the North Division.
Preseason Player of the Year was also announced as Angelo State’s Shavar Burch received the honor for the South Division. In the North Division Justin Wilkerson from Texas A&M-Commerce was tabbed for Player of the Year honors.
Last season a slew of injuries helped to doom the Wildcats to a 10-16 record, and they cost ACU a serious chance to make a post-season run. Returning only three players who recorded significant playing time last season is senior center Kendrick Johnson and guards Riley Lambert and Kevin White.
The Wildcats open the season at home on November 11 against Baptist Bible College. Fans will have plenty of chances to see all the new Wildcats as they open the season with eight of the first ten games at home.