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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Picked Sixth In West Division
October 22, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 22, 2003
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The members of the Mid-American Conference News Media Association have made their selections, and the Bowling Green State University women's basketball team has been picked to finish sixth in the West Division in the 2003-04 season. The league's 13 head coaches gathered at Cleveland's Gund Arena Wednesday (Oct. 22) for the conference's annual preseason media day.
The Falcons received 52 points in the poll, released by the MACNMA, to finish eight points in front of Central Michigan. Western Michigan, the defending MAC Tournament champion, was the preseason choice to win the West, receiving 167 points. Toledo was just three points behind, followed by Ball State, Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, BGSU and CMU.
Kent State was picked to win the East, four points ahead of Miami.
Miller, who met with various members of the media on Wednesday, welcomes seven freshmen to his 2003-04 squad. His six returning letterwinners are joined by a total of nine players who did not see action for the Brown and Orange last year.
"The West Division remains very, very strong," said Miller, who enters his third season with the Falcons. "I would have been shocked if we had been picked in the top three. After our first four practices, though, I'm very excited about our team, with seven freshmen and nine total players who did not play for us last year.
"We have no timetable for championships, but without a doubt, we have raised the level of ability with our incoming class. Our non-conference schedule gives us an opportunity to achieve success, and give a young team confidence heading into MAC play. With the potential of five doubleheaders with the men's program, we look for our overall fan interest to continue to rise as our program rises."
Fans can see the Falcons in action on Nov. 3, in a home exhibition vs. the Premier All-Stars. BGSU opens the regular season with a Nov. 22 game at Youngstown State, and the Falcons will host Detroit three days later (Nov. 25), in the first of those aforementioned doubleheaders with the BGSU men's program.
MAC NEWS MEDIA ASSOCIATION
PRESEASON POLL
West (first-place votes) 1. Western Michigan (12).. 167 2. Toledo (8)............. 164 3. Ball State (4)......... 146 4. Northern Illinois (4).. 109 5. Eastern Michigan....... 102 6. Bowling Greeen.......... 52 7. Central Michigan........ 44East (first-place votes) 1. Kent State (12)........ 147 2. Miami (13)............. 143 3. Marshall............... 110 4. Buffalo (4)............. 99 5. Ohio.................... 55 6. Akron................... 34
MAC Tournament Champion Western Michigan, Kent State.. 6 Ball State.................... 5 Miami, Toledo................. 3 Northern Illinois............. 2 Eastern Michigan, Marshall.... 1
