Men’s and Women’s Basketball Favored in UAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll
St. Louis, Mo., November 8, 2012 – The Washington University in St. Louis men’s and women’s basketball teams were picked first in the University Athletic Association (UAA) Preseason Coaches Polls, as announced Thursday by the conference office.
Three UAA women’s teams enter the season nationally ranked in the D3hoops.com preseason poll with the Bears ranked No. 9, Emory University No. 22 and University of Rochester No. 24. Washington U. garnered seven of eight first-place votes to land in the top spot, while Emory picked up the lone remaining first-place vote and was second. Rochester, University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University, Case Western Reserve University, Brandeis University and New York University rounded out the women’s poll.
Washington University returns four players with starting experience and 14 letterwinners from last year’s team that finished 21-6 overall and 10-4 in the UAA. The Bears finished second in the conference and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 23rd-consecutive season.
Head coach Nancy Fahey, who became the first-ever NCAA Division III coach or player to be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in June, begins her 27th season at Washington University with a 617-112 record (.846 winning percentage). She has led the Bears to an NCAA Division III-record five national championships and 10 Final Four appearances in her career.
No. 21-ranked Washington U. and Rochester both picked up three first-place votes in the men’s poll, and are first and second, respectively. New York garnered two first-place votes and was third. Emory, Brandeis, Chicago, Case Western Reserve and Carnegie Mellon rounded out the preseason rankings.
Washington University returns 16 letterwinners and three starters from last year’s team, that posted a 20-7 overall record, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bears also captured their 11th UAA title with an 11-3 conference mark.
Head coach Mark Edwards enters his 32nd season at his alma mater with an overall record of 562-258 (.686 winning percentage). The winningest coach in school history, Edwards has guided the Bears to a school-record 28-consecutive winning seasons, 11 UAA championships, 16 NCAA Tournaments and the 2008 and 2009 NCAA Division III National Championships.
The women’s team opens the 2012-13 season by hosting the 12th Annual McWilliams Classic on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16-17, at the WU Field House. The men’s team begins regular-season play on Saturday, Nov. 17, against Trinity University (Texas). Tip-off is set for 2 p.m., in Chicago, Ill.