Jacks Picked Fourth, Coyotes Eighth In Summit Preseason Poll

ELMHURST, IL -- South Dakota State is picked fourth and the University of South Dakota eighth in The Summit League preseason men's basketball poll.

Fort Wayne is the favorite to win the 2014-15 league championship according to the annual preseason poll of league coaches, sports information directors and media.  The Mastodons received a league-high 13 of 30 first-place votes, edging out Denver by 13 points in the poll.  Oral Roberts, which returns to The Summit League for the first time since 2011-12, was picked third.

The Jackrabbits received one first place vote to finish fourth in the poll followed by defending champion North Dakota State, which had four first-place votes. Omaha, Western Illinois, South Dakota and IUPUI rounded out the poll.

SDSU senior Cody Larson is the Jacks' lone representative on the preseason all-league team, earning a first team nod after earning all-league second team and All-Newcomer teams at the end of last season.

Brandon Bos was was picked to the preseason all-league second team.  The Coyote senior was named to the Summit League All-Academic Team and was an honorable mention all-league choice last season.

Denver senior Brett Olson got the nod for Summit League preseason Player of the Year.

2011-15 SUMMIT LEAGUE MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
RANK     TEAM (FIRST PLACE VOTES)     POINTS
Fort Wayne (13) 450
Denver (12) 437
Oral Roberts 400
South Dakota State (1) 345
North Dakota State (4) 313
Omaha 245
Western Illinois 151
South Dakota 148
IUPUI 75