Expectations will be at an all-time high surrounding the Drake women’s basketball team during the upcoming 2006-07 campaign as the Missouri Valley Conference announced on Oct. 30 that the Bulldogs have been tabbed as the preseason favorite to capture the 2007 MVC crown
In the Valley’s annual poll of coaches, sports information directors and media members, the Blue and White garnered 28 of a total of 40 first-place votes to accumulate 373 points. Wichita State and Indiana State collected the remaining first-place selections with the Shockers receiving 10 votes and the Sycamores two.
The Bulldogs return eight players this season, including seven of whom appeared in 20 or more games. Drake also has 78 percent of its scoring and 82 percent of its rebounding from a team which posted a 17-12 finish a year ago en route to a second-place regular season finish.
Senior forward Jill Martin repeated as a unanimous preseason all-MVC selection. Martin averaged 16.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per contest while pacing the conference in double-doubles with 14.
Joining Martin as preseason All-MVC selections is Kristi Cirone of Illinois State, Tara King of Northern Iowa, Carlai Moore of Southern Illinois, Kiki Stephens and Antionette Wells of Wichita State.
The Drake men’s basketball team has been picked to finished seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, conducted by league coaches, media and sports information directors.
The Bulldogs, under fourth-year coach Tom Davis, received 150 points. Creighton, receiving 29 first-place votes, was the preseason choice to win the league title earning 386 points.
Drake has four starters back from last year’s team which posted a 12-19 overall record along with junior swingman Klayton Korver, who was redshirted last year with a knee injury.