Tulsa Women Picked Seventh in WAC Preseason Poll
10/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 17, 2003
Denver, Colorado - The University of Tulsa women's basketball team has been chosen to finish seventh in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll by the league's coaches, as announced by the league office today.
Tulsa received 39 points in the coaches poll. Louisiana Tech was picked to win the WAC for the third straight season, with 81 points and nine first place votes. The coaches selected Rice for second-place with 70 points and one vote first-place vote. The top two teams are followed by SMU (60), Hawaii (51), Fresno State (45), San Jose State (40), Tulsa (39), UTEP (30), Boise State (21), and Nevada (13).
Tulsa lost its top three high scorers from a year ago, but returns three seniors including Candice Brewer, Kim Chiconas and Kayla Elliott. The Golden Hurricane will also get a boost from 6'3" junior center Becky Heidotten, who missed most of last season with an injury, and 6'2" transfer Sarah Lundberg. As a sophomore in the 2001-02 season, Heidotten averaged 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.
Louisiana Tech's Tina Frierson was selected as the WAC's preseason player of the year.
Tulsa will host exhibition games on Thursday, Nov. 13, against Cameron University and Tuesday, Nov. 18, against Everyone's Internet, as both games will be played at the Donald W. Reynolds Center. Tulsa opens the regular season on Saturday, November 22 against Oklahoma State in Oklahoma City, Okla.
2003-04 Preseason Women's Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank Teams (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Louisiana Tech (9) 81
2. Rice (1) 70
3. SMU 60
4. Hawaii 51
5. Fresno State 45
6. San Jose State 40
7. Tulsa 39
8. UTEP 30
8. Boise State 21
10. Nevada 13
