June 26, 2001
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University's 2001-02 men's basketball team is listed among the top 35 teams in the nation in a preseason poll published on FOXSports.com yesterday (June 25).
The poll, compiled by FOXSports.com basketball writer Frank Burlison, listed Coach Dennis Felton's Hilltoppers among the 10 teams in "Others to watch" following his predictions on the Top 25.
Western, the defending Sun Belt Conference tournament and East Division champion, returns four starters and 12 lettermen from last year's 24-7 team. Heading that list of returnees is 7-1, 285 All-American center Chris Marcus, the Sun Belt's Player-of-the-Year last season and TENDEX.com's top-rated player in the 2001 NCAA Tournament. Marcus led the nation in rebounding (12.1 rpg) and ranked among the nation's leaders in double-doubles (3rd) and blocked shots (11th). Meanwhile, the Toppers ranked among Division I basketball's best in rebound margin (2nd), scoring margin (7th), scoring defense (11th) and won-lost percentage (19th).
Burlison, a veteran sportswriter on the national college basketball scene, listed the following teams on his preseason Top 25:
1. Duke
2. Kentucky
3. Maryland
4. Illinois
5. Florida
6. Kansas
7. UCLA
8. Iowa
9. Virginia
10. St. Joseph's
11. Temple
12. Mississippi
13. Georgetown
14. Fresno State
15. Boston College
16. Cincinnati
17. Syracuse
18. Oklahoma
19. Memphis
20. Missouri
21. Southern California
22. Texas
23. Stanford
24. Alabama
25. Michigan State
Others to watch (alphabetical): Arizona, Gonzaga, Indiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Utah, Wake Forest, WESTERN KENTUCKY and Xavier.
The Hilltoppers are scheduled to open the '01-02 campaign against second-ranked Kentucky in first-round action in the NABC tournament in Lexington Nov. 15.
