The Crusaders garnered 10 first-place votes and totaled 169 points in balloting of West Division coaches, sports information directors and media members to edge McMurry for the top spot in the league's annual preseason coaches and media poll released Tuesday.
UMHB coach Ken DeWeese admitted the ranking is an honor, albeit one he might rather not have.
"I'm somewhat dumbfounded because we have so few guys back," DeWeese said. "I told the team that this carries some responsibility, but it means nothing when people are predicting in October how you'll be in March."
UMHB went 19-8 last season and reached the conference tournament semifinals after making back-to-back NCAA Division III Tournament appearances in 2007 and '08.
Senior guard Zane Johnston, senior forward Rich Moore, senior wing Ervin Johnson and sophomore forward Greg Wiernas had a combined 17 starts last season and are the only returning starters for the Crusaders.
"It's always nice for people to show respect for your program," DeWeese said. "What we have to understand is that nothing is won in October. We want to be at the top in March."
Defending West champion McMurry received nine first-place votes and totaled 166 points to place second in the poll ahead of Concordia Texas (154 points), which was first on four ballots.
Hardin-Simmons (103), Sul Ross State (87), Howard Payne (82), Schreiner (53) - which received the other first-place vote - and Texas Lutheran (51) rounded out the West.
Reigning conference champion Texas-Dallas was picked to win the East, where LeTourneau senior guard Dale Vanwright was chosen Preseason Player of the Year.
Concordia senior forward Brad Walker received the West's player honor after averaging 16.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season, when he blocked 24 shots.
UMHB opens the season Nov. 18 at home against Trinity.
Men's golf finishes second
at Schreiner tournament
KERRVILLE - Sterling final rounds by Mike McQuaid and Aaron Massey weren't enough as the UMHB men's golf team failed to make up ground and finished second at the Schreiner Fall Classic.
The Crusaders followed their first-round 288 with a 292 to finish four strokes behind Texas-Tyler (286-290-576) at Scott Schreiner Golf Course.
McQuaid fired a 3-under-par 67, giving him a 145 total and a share of fifth place in the individual standings.
Massey (Gatesville), who opened with a 67, closed with a 73 and won a scorecard playoff with UT-Tyler's Brandon Ellis for second place. Joey Rippel (74-65-139) of the champion Patriots won the individual title.
Garrison Nordt (70-76-146), Belton graduate Johnathan Sustaita (74-76-150) and Ryan Berry (77-78-155) finished out the Crusaders' final competitive round of the fall season.
Women's golf takes third
KERRVILLE - The UMHB women's golf team shaved 11 shots off its first-round score and remained in third place after the final day of the Schreiner Fall Classic.
The Lady Crusaders (339-328-667) came in 15 strokes behind champion Texas-Tyler (328-324-652) and five shots back of Schreiner (330-332-662) at Scott Schreiner Golf Course.
Amanda Hebert's 81-82-163 anchored UMHB and was good enough for sixth place in the individual standings.
Allison Williams (87-81-168), Christi Williams (89-81-170), Catherine Andrews (88-84-172) and Courtney Nelson (83-99-182) rounded out the Lady Crusaders' final tournament of the fall season.
Green earns ASC West
men's soccer honor
Daniel Green was named men's American Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Green, a senior defender out of Abilene, anchored a Crusaders defense that posted back-to-back shutouts last week to push its season total to eight shutouts.
UMHB (11-2, 9-1 ASC), which leads the conference standings, will host Hardin-Simmons at 3 p.m. Friday and McMurry at 3 p.m. Saturday.
edrennan@temple-telegram.com
