The Mountain West Conference has released it's 2013-2014 basketball preseason media poll.

New Mexico was nearly a unanimous number one. UNLV got one first place vote and tied with Boise State for second place. Wyoming came in seventh.

2013-14 MOUNTAIN WEST MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
Rk.Team (1st-Place Votes)Points
1.New Mexico (23)263
2.UNLV (1)214
Boise State214
4.San Diego State212
5.Utah State156
6.Colorado State142
7.Wyoming112
8.Fresno State96
9.Nevada84
10.Air Force61
11.San José State30

 

2013-14 MOUNTAIN WEST MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON MEDIA ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
NameYearPositionInstitution
Anthony DrmicJr.G/FBoise State
Derrick MarksJr.GBoise State
Deonte BurtonSr.GNevada
Alex KirkJr.CNew Mexico
Kendall WilliamsSr.GNew Mexico
Khem BirchJr.FUNLV

Preseason Player of the Year: Kendall Williams, Sr., G, New Mexico

Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Josh Davis, Sr., F, San Diego State

Preseason Freshman of the Year: Kendall Smith, G, UNLV

2013-14 MOUNTAIN WEST MEN'S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM PROFILES

Preseason Player of the Year
Kendall Williams (6-4, 180, Sr., G, New Mexico) -
 Three-year starter who received Associated Press All-American honorable mention last season in addition to being named the 2012-13 MW Player of the Year. A two-time All-MW honoree, he is only the second player in league history to earn both MW Freshman and Player of the Year honors in a career (Andrew Bogut, Utah). Ranked among league leaders in seven different categories for Conference-only games in 2012-13. Was second in assists (5.3 apg) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.5), eighth in steals (1.8 spg) and minutes played (33.9 mpg), ninth in free throw percentage (.706), 10th in 3-pointers made (1.7 pg) and tied for 10th in scoring (13.1 ppg). Recorded at least three assists in all 15 MW games he played, including nine contests with five or more. Netted double-figure scoring in 10 MW games, highlighted by a career-high 46 points at Colorado State on Feb. 23, 2013.

Anthony Drmic (6-6, 196, Jr., G/F, Boise State) - Second-team All-MW honoree who led the Mountain West with an 18.8 scoring average in Conference play in 2012-13, netting double figures in 14 of 16 games. A three-year starter, he also ranked third in the MW in 3-pointers made (2.31 pg) and free throw percentage (.828), and fifth in overall (.449) and 3-point (.374) field goal percentage (.449) during league action last season.

Derrick Marks (6-3, 206, Jr., G, Boise State) - Garnered All-MW second-team kudos in 2012-13 after ranking among league leaders in field goal shooting (.494/2nd), scoring (16.5 ppg/4th), steals (1.4 spg/4th), free throw percentage (.788/5th) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.07/7th). Netted two 30-point performances in MW play in 2012-13, including a career-best 38 vs. Colorado State on Mar. 2, 2013.

Deonte Burton (6-1, 190, Sr., G, Nevada) - Earned All-MW third-team accolades in 2012-13. Led the Wolf Pack with a 16.1 scoring average in Conference play, ranking sixth in the MW. Averaged a league-best 37.7 minutes per game against Conference competition while also ranking fourth in assists (4.0 apg) and sixth in field goal percentage (.443) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.52). Has started all 98 games in his Nevada career.

Alex Kirk (7-0, 245, Jr., C, New Mexico) - Received All-MW second-team, USBWA All-District and MW All-Defensive team honors in 2012-13 after sitting out the 2011-12 campaign following back surgery. Played for USA Basketball at the 2013 World University Games. Top returning rebounder in the Mountain West, ranking third in rebounding (8.8 rpg) and 13th in scoring (12.9 ppg) in Conference-only action in 2012-13. Was also second in the league with 36 blocked shots in MW play.

Khem Birch (6-9, 220, Jr., F, UNLV) - Tabbed the 2012-13 MW Defensive Player of the Year and a MW All-Defensive Team selection. Blocked a league-high 48 shots in MW competition last season, averaging 3.0 rejections per game. Also contributed 7.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game (12th in the league) against Conference opponents to receive All-MW honorable mention.

Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Josh Davis (6-8, 215, Sr., F, San Diego State) -
 Eligible to play in 2013-14 after receiving his undergraduate degree from Tulane. Ranked fourth in the NCAA in double-doubles (19) and eighth in rebounding (10.7) in 2012-13. Also averaged 17.6 points and shot 49.2 percent from the field en route to earning first-team all-conference honors.

Preseason Freshman of the Year
Kendall Smith (6-2, 180, G, UNLV) -
 Ranked as a Top-100 recruit by ESPN.com. Averaged 27.5 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game, while shooting 46 percent from the field as a senior at Deer Valley High School in Antioch, Calif. Played in 27 games as a senior, recording 25 or more points on 12 occasions with a season-high of 52.

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