RICHARDSON, Texas –– The McMurry and Texas-Dallas men’s basketball teams have been predicted to repeat their American Southwest Conference West and East Division titles, respectively, after a vote of each division’s head coaches, sports information directors and media members, the conference office announced on Wednesday (Oct. 19). McMurry’s Steven Jones and Texas-Dallas’ Chris Barnes earned 2011-12 preseason player of the year honors.

Defending ASC champion McMurry (21-8, 16-5 ASC) totaled 174 points and earned 13 of the possible 24 first-place votes to be the West Division favorites in the annual poll. McMurry, which will be under the direction of new head coach Jerry Isler this season, also won the division crown last year and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship. The War Hawks have won four conference titles (also 1997, 2000 and 2001) and eight division crowns (also 1999-2002, 2005, 2007 and 2009) in program history.

Two-time conference champion Mary Hardin-Baylor (23-8, 15-6 ASC) was predicted for a second place finish in the West by totaling just one point less than McMurry and garnering nine first-place votes. UMHB reached the ASC title game last season and advanced to the “Sweet 16” round of the NCAA playoffs. Hardin-Simmons (17-10, 15-6 ASC) was the selection for third place with 142 points and the remaining two first-place votes. Concordia Texas (15-11, 13-8 ASC) totaled 130 points to round out what would be the division’s four teams to qualify for the ASC Championship Tournament. Texas Lutheran (85 pts.) was picked fifth, followed by Sul Ross State (69 pts.), Schreiner (50 pts.) and Howard Payne (38 pts.).

Two-time ASC champion Texas-Dallas (21-7, 16-4 ASC) totaled 140 points and picked up 19 of the possible 21 first-place votes to be the favorites to win the East Division. Head coach Terry Butterfield’s Comets won their third straight division title last year and also advanced to the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive year. UTD led the league in scoring defense (65.9), scoring margin (+9.5) and assists (456).

Six-time conference champion Mississippi College (13-13, 10-10 ASC) was picked to finish second in the East, totaling 114 points and one first-spot vote. East Texas Baptist (17-9, 13-7 ASC) garnered 97 points to land in the third-place spot. Texas-Tyler (12-14, 11-9 ASC) totaled 92 points to round out what would be the division’s four ASC tournament teams. Louisiana College (71 pts.) was predicted to finish fifth, followed by Ozarks (46 pts.) and LeTourneau (47 pts.). Ozarks had the final first-place vote. First-year league member Centenary will compete in the East Division but is ineligible for the conference and division title as it continues to phase out its athletic scholarships. The Gents’ games will not count toward conference standings.

Jones (Compton, CA / San Diego Mirimar), a 6-3, 270-pound forward, was named ASC West Division Preseason Player of the Year. He averaged 14 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals to fuel conference and division titles as well as an appearance in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Barnes (San Antonio, TX / Churchill HS), a 6-6, 210-pound forward, was named ASC East Division Preseason Player of the Year. He averaged a division-high 17.5 points and 6.9 rebounds en route to leading the Comets to the division crown and the first round of the NCAA tournament. Barnes also shot 40.9 percent from 3-point range.

Jones and Barnes were both their respective division’s player of the year in 2010-11 and also members of the prestigious six-player ASC All-Conference Team.

The 2011-12 season – the 16th in league history – begins as early as November 15. The three-day, eight-team, single-elimination conference tournament is slated for February 24-26 at the site of the West Division’s top seed and an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship will be on the line.

2011-12 ASC PRESEASON MEN’S BASKETBALL POLL

[Voted on by ASC Head Coaches, Sports Information Directors and Media Members]

            Team (first-place votes)            Points          2010-11 Record

            Team (first-place votes)            Points          2009-10 Record

*Ineligible for the conference and division title as it continues to phase out its athletic scholarships.

2011-12 ASC PRESEASON MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

[Voted on by ASC Head Coaches, Sports Information Directors and Media Members]