DENVER ? The 2007-08 Western Athletic Conference women’s basketball media poll has tabbed Boise State as this year’s favorite. Boise State junior guard Jessica Thompson has been named the preseason Player of the Year.
Boise State received 128 points and nine first-place votes. Louisiana Tech was picked second with 109 points and two first place votes. Nevada garnered 98 points and a first place vote for third place followed by New Mexico State with two first place votes and 94 points. Fresno State was fifth with one first place vote and 85 points followed by Hawai’i (63), Utah State (46), Idaho (27) and San Jose State (25).
Thompson averaged 13.7 points and 2.1 steals per game last season, leading the Broncos to their first-ever Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship and an appearance at the 2007 NCAA Tournament.
The All-WAC team included Thompson, Nevada junior guard Dellena Criner, New Mexico State senior forward Sherell Neal, Idaho sophomore post Katie Madison, and Fresno State senior guard Tierre Wilson.
The following is the complete 2007-08 WAC women’s basketball media poll with first-place votes in parentheses (points awarded on a 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis):
Rank Team Points
1. Boise State (9) 128
2. Louisiana Tech (2) 109
3. Nevada (1) 98
4. New Mexico State (2) 94
5. Fresno State (1) 85
6. Hawai’i 63
7. Utah State 46
8. Idaho 27
9. San Jose State 25
Preseason All-WAC Team
Dellena Criner, Jr., G, Nevada
Sherell Neal, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Katie Madison, So., P, Idaho
Jessica Thompson, Jr., G, Boise State
Tierre Wilson, Sr., G, Fresno State
Preseason Player of the Year: Jessica Thompson, Jr., G, Boise State