Staff Report
Mountain West Conference preseason picks are out and the Lobo women's basketball team is expected to finish third in the conference, while the men's team is slated to finish seventh.
The ranking is the result of selections by MWC coaches and media.
On the women's side, the Utah Utes are the favorites, receiving 19 of the 20 first-place votes. BYU is also ranked higher than the Lobos.
UNM split games with the Utes and the Cougars last season.
Two Lobo women received preseason honors. Junior guard Mandi Moore, who was named to the third-team All-MWC, was selected to the preseason All-MWC team.
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Moore broke a UNM season record last season, dishing out 208 assists.
The preseason MWC Newcomer of the Year will make her UNM debut next month. Junior Jenny Shetters, a transfer from Cal State Northridge, earned second-team All-Big West honors her freshman season after averaging 14 points and five rebounds per game.
The only team picked to finish below the UNM men's basketball team is the Air Force Academy Falcons.
The Lobos were also picked to finish seventh last year - and they did with a conference record of 4-10. It was also UNM's first losing season in 20 years.
BYU is expected to rule the men in the MWC this season, although Utah received nearly as many first-place votes.
Colorado State is picked to finish third, followed by UNLV, Wyoming and San Diego State.
The UNM men's roster features six returning lettermen and nine new players. Last season the Lobos beat Air Force, San Diego State, Utah and Colorado State.
The men's season starts on Oct. 16, when the Lobos will play in a three-day tournament in Vancouver, British Columbia. UNM's first home exhibition game is set for Saturday, Nov. 8 at The Pit against the Basketball Travelers.
The women open their season on Tuesday Nov. 11, when they will welcome the West Coast All-Stars to The Pit.
