(UW Athletics release)
LAS VEGAS – The University of Wyoming men’s basketball team has been picked to finish seventh in the Mountain West, as the conference announced its 2018-19 preseason media poll and all-conference team today at the league’s media summit in the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nev. The Cowboys garnered 88 points from media in the MW. Senior guard Justin James was named to the Preseason All-MW team.
Nevada was tabbed the preseason favorite to win the 2018-19 regular-season title by capturing 18 of 19 first-place votes for 207 points. San Diego State received 181 points to finish second with one first-place votes, followed by New Mexico with 153 points for third place. Boise State received 139 points to finish fourth, followed by Fresno State (138 points) and UNLV (122). The Pokes garnered 88 points for seventh, Colorado State collected 80 points for eighth. Utah State (78), Air Force (42) and San Jose State (19) rounded out the poll.
Nevada senior guard Caleb Martin was named the MW Preseason Player of the Year, while Nevada freshman Jordan Brown is the Freshman of the Year. New Mexico’s Vance Jackson was named the Newcomer of the Year.
The Preseason All-MW team features James for the second-straight season. James was a First Team All-Mountain West selection this season averaging 18.9 points per game to go along with 6.0 rebounds per night and 3.1 assists per game. In conference play, James averaged 20.8 points per game ranking second in the MW. James scored 20 or more points 15 times this season including a career-high 33 points on two occasions. He has 1,355 career points with the Cowboys, as the senior has averaged 13.7 points per game in his career.
Others on the Preseason All-MW team include Jordan Caroline, Caleb Martin and Cody Martin of Nevada along with Fresno State’s Deshon Taylor.
The Cowboys faceoff against Colorado Christian on Thursday, Nov. 1 in an exhibition game in the Arena-Auditorium, before tipping off the regular season against UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday, Nov. 6 in Laramie. Fans can purchase season tickets by calling the Wyoming Athletics Ticket Office at (307) 766-7220 or going online at GoWyo.com.
2018-19 Preseason All-Conference Team:
Jordan Caroline, Nevada
Deshon Taylor, Fresno State
Caleb Martin, Nevada
Justin James, Wyoming
Cody Martin, Nevada
2018-19 Preseason Player of the Year:
Caleb Martin, Nevada
2018-19 Preseason Freshman of the Year:
Jordan Brown, Nevada
2018-19 Preseason Newcomer of the Year:
Vance Jackson, New Mexico
2018-19 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish:
Nevada 207 (18)
San Diego State 188 (1)
New Mexico 153
Boise State 139
Fresno State 138
UNLV 122
Wyoming 88
Colorado State 80
Utah State 78
Air Force 42
San Jose State 19
