WAC ANNOUNCES MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES PRESEASON PICKS

DENVER – The Western Athletic Conference announced its men's basketball preseason poll and all-WAC teams, as voted on by the eight head coaches in the league. Nevada was selected to win the WAC, while Nevada sophomore Deonte Burton was tabbed the league's preseason Player of the Year.

Nevada received five first place votes and 46 points. New Mexico State captured second place with 41 points. Utah State took third place with 38 points and three first place votes. With 32 points, Hawai‘i secured the fourth spot. Idaho (24) and Fresno State (18) followed closely behind in fifth and sixth place, respectively. San Jose State (14) and Louisiana Tech (11) finished seventh and eighth, respectively.

Burton, the coaches' pick for preseason Player of the Year, was named the WAC's Freshman of the Year last season after he led the Wolf Pack in assists (3.53) and ranked second on the team in scoring (13.7 ppg).

The coaches also voted on preseason first and second all-WAC teams. Burton led the list of first-teamers. Hawai‘i senior center Vander Joaquim and senior guard Zane Johnson also earned spots on the preseason first team. New Mexico State senior forward Wendell McKines and Utah State senior guard Brockeith Pane round out the first team selections.

Second-team selections include Kyle Barone (Idaho), Dario Hunt (Nevada), Hernst Laroche (New Mexico State), Brady Jardine (Utah State) and Malik Story (Nevada).

 2011-12 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll

 Rank    Teams (1st Place Votes)               Points

1.           Nevada (5)                                              46

2.           New Mexico State                                  41

3.           Utah State (3)                                         38

4.           Hawai‘i                                                   32

5.           Idaho                                                       24

6.           Fresno State                                            18

7.           San Jose State                                         14

8.           Louisiana Tech                                        11                           

Preseason All-WAC Teams

First Team                                                           Second Team

Deonte Burton, So., G, Nevada                            Kyle Barone, Jr., C, Idaho

Vander Joaquim, Jr., C, Hawai‘i                           Dario Hunt, Sr., F, Nevada

Zane Johnson, Sr., G, Hawai‘i                              Hernst Laroche, Sr., G, New Mexico State

Wendell McKines, Sr., F, New Mexico State       Brady Jardine, Sr., F, Utah State

Brockeith Pane, Sr., G, Utah State                       Malik Story, Jr., G, Nevada

Player of the Year: Deonte Burton, Nevada

The following is the complete 2011-12 WAC men's basketball media poll with first-place votes in parentheses:

         Rank     Team                               Points

               1.     Utah State (13)                   174

               2.     Nevada (5)                          162

               3.     New Mexico State (3)        150

               4.     Hawai‘i (3)                           126

               5.     Idaho                                      89

               6.     San Jose State                     66

               7.     Fresno State                         59

               8.     Louisiana Tech                    38

Preseason All-WAC Team

Deonte Burton, So., G, Nevada

Dario Hunt, Sr., F, Nevada

Zane Johnson, Sr., G, Hawai‘i

Wendell McKines, Sr., F, New Mexico State

Brockeith Pane, Sr., G, Utah State

Preseason Player of the Year: Brockeith Pane, Sr., G, Utah State

Newcomer of the Year: Shaquille Stokes, Fr., G, Hawai‘i