Dallas Baptist took the top spot with 35 first-place votes. St. Edward's, Western New Mexico and St. Mary's followed Lubbock Christian in the next three spots. Angelo State, Texas A&M-Kingsville and UT Tyler round out the top 10.
West Texas A&M junior Kerbie Cash earned preseason Player of the Year honors. The Buffs as a team landed seventh. They bring back five contributors and add nine newcomers. Junior Jaylin Sledge leads the returners after topping the team in rebounds and steals per game while averaging just over 7.5 points.
Eastern New Mexico junior guard Maurice Austin, a Colorado native, made the preseason players to watch list Tuesday. He started all 32 games last season and averaged more than 14 points, shooting 52% from the field and 25% from behind the 3-point arc. The Greyhounds return eight players, including two starters, who accounted for 48% of the scoring and 39% of the rebounds.
The Buffs open Oct. 30 against Lincoln Memorial in the Midwest Tipoff Challenge. Eastern New Mexico opens Nov. 13 on the road at New Mexico Highlands.